Interaction for Nursing Homes

OK all you interactive DJ's, I could use some ideas for a Nursing Home gig I've got coming up. It's like a 1 hour bubble party with no bubbles and I doubt they'll be hula hooping.

The activity director wants to do a Hawaiian luau theme. She wants to keep it high energy with fun music. I know what your thinking, I am a CPR instructor so I'm covered there. But any ideas, no matter how silly you may think they are, would be a great help. I can adapt anything.

One I was thinking about was "clamp the O2 line". Last one breathing wins. Sorry, it's that sick twisted EMS mind I have.

Seriously, I was thinking about pass the balloon or beach ball. Kind of like hot potato. Keep them coming please.

How about some wheel chair racing and a little Beach Boys music to get them pumped.:sqbiggrin:

It's too bad Bob Jackson isn't a member here. Senior center gigs are his forte.

Funny you should post this. There was an article in the local paper recently about some of the entertainment that's done at the Modern Maturity Center here in Dover.

What the MMC has done is book smallish combos or one-man-band types of entertainment. It's not all about music. They do some low-key interactive things like interviews and timelines. Birthdays, anniversaries and the like.

I'd suggest a sit down chat with the manager to discuss the venue and kick some ideas around. He or she knows the audience better than anyone else.

The Hawaiian luau theme can be loads of fun. We did a wedding sometime back that had a similar theme. Inflatable palm trees, leis for everyone etc. The props really don't cost that much and guests enjoy it.

Thoughts?

Fred,
I have chatted with the activity director. That's what brings me to this point of getting some ideas. We got basic ideas but I need to keep things somewhat moving for an hour. These are very low paying jobs so any decorations are up to the NH. I did a Christmas party for them. It took a bit to get them going but they all enjoyed the music. They must have enjoyed me somewhat because they asked me back. Now I just need to come up with a new show. Hopefully I'll get some ideas in Vegas.

I was thinking of an intermittent type Bingo game. I've heard it mentioned somewhere.

This is probably nothing new, but trivia, old time radio - music - tv, sing alongs, music they could all move to, contest, games, or some simple craft type project, slideshow with music. For the future, I would have a talk with the patients and staff or the office of the aging. You never know what they might come up with. It's too bad John Allo isn't still with us. He use to do these on a regular. Also check this out.

http://www.activitybasket.com/item.asp?invky=4677545&catky=&subcatky1=

I have chatted with the activity director. I do appreciate any help people can offer. If you've ever done Nursing Homes you'll know these are not your typical old people from assisted living facilities or just a senior event. Their mental and physical state is somewhat like compared to most of the attendees at the Vegas show the next morning after a good night of partying, not quite with it and having very little mobility.:sqbiggrin:

I like some of the ideas so far. I'll have to fine tune them but they will work.

Before the party starts, make sure everybody gets a hawaiin lei.

Hot Coconut Game

Play as you would "hot potato", using a whole coconut.
Pass the coconut around the circle from person to person quickly, while music is playing. When the music stops, the person holding the coconut wins a prize.

Use the music theme to Hawaii Five-O

Coconut Basket Ball Game

Use rubber balls to play coconut basketball. Take a garbage can and decorated with grass shirt material. Each person gets 3 shots at the can. The person with the best score wins. If you have a tie go to sudden death. (Old People joke)

From what I remember, hula dancing has meaning in the dance and hand movement. Teach them the basic hula moves and tell then what each one means.

Do the (Hawaiin) Chicken Dance.

Do it the English way......

http://www.northeastmovies.co.uk/films/177/the-trolley-dance

Make a picher of Mai Tais, get them all drunk and make them wear swimsuits.... your covered!

Play.... White Sandy Beaches.... The Huki Lau... E Como Mai... ... Put your wife or a GF in a grass skirt and bathing suit top with a lei and a flower in her hair,,, tell her to YouTube hula dance, throw something together for a 3 min dance.... get them up, thoise that can, and have them sway their hips,,,, Give them all leis as had been said...

In DJ Netzone archives there is a story about doing these events from a guy some folks here might rmember called himself Bear he died sometime back but the program he used sounded really cool. Simply music but done in a real memory lane type way.

Dave,
Let me help you a bit with the terminology. Those are shopping carts not trolleys. Trolleys are something you ride in, shopping charts are for collecting food in a grocery store. Unless your a little one then you can ride in the shopping cart.:sqbiggrin:

You Irish people!:sqlaugh:

Yep Ron ;) I call them shopping carts same as you guys I've been here long enough not to fight back on a few words - tomato IS Toe Mah Toe though !

Hey don't forget we invented the bloody language now will you LOL

Nice to see you here Ron - a much more relaxed atmosphere and no Taliban moderators or topic snipers - I like it

My biggest compliment is > this is the way I would have led DJA had I really wanted to keep it going.

Best

David

Hey Ron,

You forgot the "Let's swap meds" game! :sqerr:

I'm kidding!

Seriously, how about the type of game that you participated in Vegas? If you have a bunch sitting around a table - get them to build a 'Cake' with plastic drinking cups (like you'd use in the Scott Faver 21 game) & paper/plastic plates - you know, have 2 or 3 teams...

Just an idea....

Cheers,

Joe

I could come up with some rude ones but that would only fly across the pond......

Sounds good Joe.

I have a new dance to teach them. It's called the Geriatric Shuffle. It only takes 20 Min's to do the first 4 steps!:sqeek:

Or we could play "Nitro or Not". :rofl:

It should go good. I plan on bringing plenty of chocolate, candy, and sugar filled treats. I know most of them haven't had a good snack in quite some time.

Ron did the article I sent help in any way?

I could come up with some rude ones but that would only fly across the pond......
Like the ones we used to see on the Benny Hill Show? :D

Ron, the candy is a great idea. Some of the folks may not be able to have sugar so that's something to bear in mind. :)

Jon, yes the article helped quite a bit. Thanks again my friend.

Fred, I'm sorry I didn't included a smiley face at the end of the sugar line. I've been in EMS for over 28 years. That was kind of a joke for Joe the paragod. :sqwink: Sometimes we in EMS get a little sick and twisted as you can tell by our other game ideas.:sqeek:

Do the Sand Job Ron. lol

How about some wheel chair racing and a little Beach Boys music to get them pumped.:sqbiggrin:


Wheel chair racing to the theme of Chariots of Fire:sqlaugh:

I spoke with the director today. It sounds as though we have a good plan together. Thanks for all the help but don't stop now. Things need to change and I'm always looking for new ideas.

I was hoping to play a game called "Dead or Alive" You say a famous name and they guess if they are dead or alive. We could always just use peoples names from their unit.
"Jerry Tee". Oh he kicked it last week. Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. A cupie doll to the lady in the johnny.:sqerr:

see who can have the air supply or IV pinched the longest before turning blue. OR better yet see who can turn the coolest shade of blue.

1. I hand out miraca's that they can shake to the music ( I collect them at the end)
2. I start off with a sing a long like Bye Bye Blackbird, Heart of my heart etc. which I conduct them with pom-poms and sing-a-long with them.
3. I play "glen miller medley" where I dance around with an umbrella doing various things like opening it closing it, swinging itetc.
4. Then I play a Polka where I dance swinging Chritmas garlands strands(3 in each hand)
5. I do Y.M.C. A. where I pass out hats and lead them.
6.Do another sing-a-long
7. Do and explain the chicken dance
8. Get a worker or two and give them pom-poms and cowgirl hat and along with me perform to shania's "man I feel like a woman.
9. Using a worker or two and 50's 60's rock and roll medley perform with cowboy hats and inflatable guitars.
10. Play another polka.
11. Use a worker or two and yourself and give choice of guitar or pom-poms and perform to old time rock n roll.
12. Close with sing-a-long "let me call you sweetheart"
It helps to be a little goofy like I am.

.....It helps to be a little goofy like I am.


And be able to actually DANCE!.... But looking at your avatar tag, obviously, you can.

I forgot to mention I use a boombox not a regular DJ setup. I pop a Homemade CD in and make my selections. Some patients do participate, not everyone. They enjoy seeing the workers perform a couple numbers along with me. I don't think anybody can do exactly as I do because I consider myself a "comedic dancer". Some of my suggestions I hope someone can incorporate.

Prop/decoration/favor suggestion: Go online to Oriental Trading. You can put together a GREAT luau package for less than $50.