<p>Hi! I’m a regular volunteer at a nursing home; recently, the manager told me that because of my longtime commitment to their nursing home, they wanted me to plan senior citizen “activity nights” for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. </p>
<p>I’d love to do this, but there’s one problem- I’m not certain of what senior citizens LOVE to do… obviously, they enjoy different things than a 16 year old kid. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions?</p>
<p>talking about 'nam, telling whipper snappers to turn down their music, watching the birds feed through their room window, sleep… etc…</p>
<p>I’ve learned from Rugrats that they take highly to bingo :)</p>
<p>I work at an old folks’ home, in the dining room, and I sort of know what goes on in the rest of the place. Obviously not all of them like the same stuff…but things involving art are always good because they allow for creativity. Um…showing movies. Bridge. Bingo. Other games. A guest speaker or performing group.</p>
<p>Haha I know they like Bingo, because I’ve been Bingo manager for Tuesdays and Thursdays nights for like 4 months now 
</p>
<p>Movies was an idea brought up by someone else also; I was thinking of having one night as “Movie night” where all the seniors vote on what movie they want to watch; we watch it, and then we discuss the movie. </p>
<p>Any other ideas, guys? Appreciate it! :)</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re all talking about distracting 4 year olds long enough to keep them from throwing tantrums. I know you don’t mean to, but there’s a distinct “us versus them” dynamic on this thread - as if they’re some distant other.</p>
<p>Just remember that, as the body collapses, the person inside is still the same person. You really don’t become an “old person”. A woman who was beautiful when she was 21 would love to be told she’s beautiful when she’s 81, but probably doesn’t hear that very often. An elderly guy who loved chasing women at 30 still loves chasing women (as my 86 year old uncle glaring lustfully at my 20 year old girlfriend throughout dinner demonstrated) </p>
<p>I’ve found a lot just want to talk. They’ve lived lives - wars fought, children raised, technologies invented, paintings painted, crazy sex had. I was blessed to have a World War II veteran in my life as a child. The stories that guy would tell… oh my.</p>
<p>Maybe just ask them what they want to do.</p>
<p>jeopardy and spin the wheel</p>
<p>What my class at school has done before that senior citizens really liked was to bring in a game show computer game (what we used was family feud) and a projector, and have the senior citizens call out answers for someone to type into the game. It’s easy, and they actually like getting involved in it.</p>
<p>Immunology research at the NIH that has nothing at all to do with what I plan to do in college ;_;</p>
<p>I’m the president of youth volunteers at a big old folks home in my city and they have lots of activities for them. As someone already said, arts are very good and should be a priority. Seniors love that kind of thing. Also, if the population you’re dealing with isn’t severely cognitively impaired, small discussion groups (current events, memories, etc.) might be a good idea. Movie and bingo nights go without saying, obviously. </p>
<p>Depending on your budget, it might not be a bad idea to hire musicians to come in and play their music. If you live in a big city, you won’t have any trouble finding some who would love to hold a concert for a group of seniors.</p>
<p>Some like to play chess a lot</p>
<p>I love chess!!! But I think you’re talking about a different type of senior…</p>