Fine Art and Art Appreciation In each fine art program every participant completes a unique work of art. Instruction is available in a variety of mediums including: watercolor, drawing, sculpture, colored pencils, pastels and collage. In the art appreciation component, students learn about the lives and techniques of the great masters. These programs can also be delivered separately. The focus is on the creative process and the joy of artistic expression. Music and Music Appreciation Participants in the music program learn basic theory as well as information about the lives and techniques of popular composers and lyricists. In addition to sing along, a variety of music related games are played. Seniors will often share the memories evoked by the music while listening to tunes from the 20's and 30's, Hollywood and Broadway. They are also given the opportunity to compose their own music. Music and Motion This program combines music with exercise and dance. Those with limited mobility are encouraged to participate. Music is used as a distraction from the repetitive nature of exercise. Each session provides a different focus to encourage continued participation. Participants learn about tempo and rhythm as it relates to movement. The movements can be done while standing or sitting. Drama In the drama program, basic acting techniques are taught such as improvisation, mime, working from scripts and using props. Seniors learn how to create their own commercials and use facial expression and body language to convey emotion. Humor plays a large part in making sure that everyone enjoys the process while learning. All of the techniques are taught in a non-threatening manner that encourages freedom of expression and helps improve communication and sociability. Intergenerational Programs The music, art and drama programs can be designed to encourage family participation. Oftentimes, when family members get together, communication is limited and sometimes awkward. By enjoying these programs together, family visits become positive experiences. Memory Enhancement Workshops The memory enhancement program is designed to give seniors the opportunity to develop new skills to improve recall. Seniors develop new strategies to alleviate misperceptions regarding memory and aging. Participants learn how emotions impact memory and how anger, stress and frustration play an important role in short-circuiting clear thought. The lessons are delivered in an entertaining style to promote success experiences. This is accomplished by using games and prizes while learning new methods for retaining information. Greeting Card Design Whether to celebrate the birth of a grandchild, send a Season’s Greetings message to a friend or simply say thank you to someone, everyone enjoys receiving hand-made cards. This program uses easy to follow instructions to create charming keepsakes for those who receive these works of art. Some of the participants may decide to keep them for themselves. Attendees will learn the basics of greeting card design and before long will be adding their own personal touches to their work.
Caregiver Workshops Caregiver workshops place special emphasis on the support of those who devote themselves to others, sometimes at the sacrifice of their own needs. By exploring various aspects of their own creativity and being exposed to the arts, caregivers can develop a more positive outlook and find new energy to bring to their difficult tasks. Self-esteem Enhancement This program is a motivational interactive workshop that addresses issues related to aging such as loss, depression and anxiety. Its purpose is to help participants embrace this phase of life and to encourage a desire to pursue new and positive directions. Femininity and Aging This program explores how each of us defines femininity. Seniors will share the importance of feeling feminine and how it effects their self-esteem. We will also discuss the ways television and advertising as well as other social cues impact our feelings about ourselves as older women. We will consider how to overcome some of our concerns about femininity and aging. Creating Your Own Luck Most of us consider ourselves either lucky or unlucky. Often the response to this question is dependent on a number of factors including a person’s self-esteem, feelings about their accomplishments, whether they win prizes or the hand they've been dealt in life. This program focuses on ways we can impact our luck. We will explore how fear can jeopardize positive outcomes. Participants will discover ways to have more opportunities come their way. Purpose and Distraction These two elements are vital for happiness and feelings of well-being. Seniors will learn how to develop both as we discuss all of the various facets of their lives and how to breathe new energy into each day. Participants will learn to focus on moving forward in their lives. What is special about you? What do you like about yourself? What activities give you pleasure? Do you enjoy helping others? Forgiveness Can we forgive? How do each of us move on after we've been hurt? Who holds a grudge? Seniors will learn about the importance of forgiving and how to foster more effective communication. If we forgive, can we forget? What circumstances hurt your feelings? In this session, we will put a fictitious offender on "trial". The group will play jury to the plaintiff's argument. Should the defendant be acquitted (forgiven)? Talents and Abilities This lighthearted session allows seniors to share the special skills, interests and avocations they currently enjoy or were involved in years ago. Participants are guided to share the emotional benefits of their unique talents with others. This topic is a great ice-breaker for individuals wishing to assimilate into senior facilities. Inventions and Their Inventors Whether it’s the invention of the washing machine, cell phone or even the paper clip, these gadgets and contraptions are fascinating to all of us. Some of these inventions are so much a part of our lives, we take them for granted. This enjoyable program will provide an understanding of the creative genius behind some of these inventions and what obstacles had to be overcome before getting these products to market. Adjusting to Change Moving from familiar to new surroundings or dealing with the daily issues related to physical and emotional health can be anxiety provoking for older adults. Knowing others share similar struggles gives seniors comfort while helping to reduce the depression and anxiety that can sometimes accompany the aging process. This program is designed to help seniors focus on positive social outlets as a coping mechanism. Family Relations and Issues As the role of a senior moves from caregiver to care recipient, family conflicts may increase. With more time to think about the past, seniors often ruminate about unresolved issues and arguments with spouses, children, siblings and in-laws. This session gives seniors the freedom to air their disagreements and to realize that their concerns are universal. Together, the participants seek ways to let go of past conflicts and improve future communication with relatives. Humor and Health Keeping your sunny side up, as the song goes, is an especially valuable piece of advice for older adults. Participants in this workshop learn how to use humor to help improve mood, relationships and health. Maintaining an optimistic attitude and looking at life in a lighthearted way can get us through some difficult times. Seniors will also be given the opportunity to share their favorite jokes and the funniest moments in their lives. This program underscores the saying that we don’t stop laughing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop laughing.
How to Motivate Yourself to do Anything Frequently seniors are reluctant to try new activities, attend social gatherings or meet new people. Many show interest but can’t overcome the inertia that keeps them from joining in. Learning new skills or just simply having pleasant conversation with others can improve mood and memory, distract from pain and reduce anxiety. This stimulating program helps give older adults the little nudge necessary to try something new. How to Make New Friends and Hold Onto the Ones You Have Developing and keeping relationships takes work. Similar to tending a garden, friendships require nurturing in order to grow. Participants will learn how to develop deep meaningful new relationships while maintaining older friendships. Asking for Help--How and Why We Should Do It After a lifetime of caring for others, some seniors find asking for help impossible. For some, assisting others is easier than being on the receiving end. Participants in this session will learn how important it is to ask for help and why it can, at times, be dangerous not to do so. This program will also focus on what it means to seniors to receive assistance. Pet Peeves--Get Them Out Into The Open Sometimes one of the most difficult aspects of living in a new environment is dealing with the annoying habits of others. Airing these common irritations relieves some of the stress that can accompany living in a group setting. Participants will find that they share the same needs for space, quiet and common courtesy. What Are You So Angry About? All of us get annoyed and frustrated from time to time. Sometimes, though, we’re aggravated much of the time. In this program, we’ll share some of the things that upset, distress and disturb us and identify the negative ways anger can affect us. From loss of relationships to poor health, anger can take away many of the pleasures life has to offer. The group will explore positive steps to take when feeling irritated or misunderstood. Envy And Jealousy--Is There A Cure? Being a member of a new social circle can be difficult. Often we compare ourselves to others in terms of education, intelligence, wealth and physical beauty. Other areas of competition may be related to personal or family successes or simply who has more grandchildren. Envy and jealousy can sometimes take away from positive new experiences of senior residential living. This program speaks very frankly about the differences between sharing and bragging and how low self-esteem can get in the way of developing new friendships. Fee-Lancing Seniors can learn how to unlock their hidden talents and put them to use quickly and easily. Participants in this program discover and enhance existing skills without years of training. Turn that hobby into a successful part-time business. Scrapbooking Workshop Seniors learn how to create a visual journal of family, friends and vacations. Photos are organized along with artistic enhancement to tell life stories for their own enjoyment or as gifts. This program is an excellent way to foster sharing of experiences within the group. Conflict Resolution and Socialization Skills This program helps seniors develop the communication skills necessary for assimilating into new environments such as assisted living facilities, senior housing and senior centers. Role play techniques are used to help foster the ability to interact comfortably in any setting while resolving issues and disagreements that may arise. The Importance Of Faith And Spirituality As We Age In this program, seniors share their feelings about spiritual and religious beliefs within the context of family background, education and the community. Participants will learn about the differences between religion and spirituality, how and why the need for faith increases with age and the unique way this aspect of life can add to emotional well-being. Seniors will also learn about the positive effects faith can have on health and longevity.
Embracing Diversity This program is designed to help seniors feel comfortable living with those who have a different religion, ethnicity, political view, etc. The subject matter is handled in a lighthearted but thought-provoking way to foster interest and curiosity, not simply tolerance. What Will Your Legacy Be? The purpose of this program is to help seniors appreciate all they have done and are doing to enhance the lives of others. Participants discover their personal value, increasing a sense of self-worth and pride in accomplishment. If You Can't Dance ... Sing! Seniors frequently stop "living" when changes take place in their lives. They may no longer work, need to care for children and spouses or feel they have lost special skills they once had. This motivating program looks at all the abilities participants still have or can develop. As the title suggests, if a person is unable to dance but loves music, why not give singing a try? The program focuses on abilities, not limitations. Reasons or Excuses? This is a lighthearted look at how we hold ourselves back from enjoying life. In this group discussion, we tease out the differences between excuses and legitimate reasons for doing or not doing something. Participants will help each other in a nurturing way to move past the excuses and take the risks necessary to create a richer, fuller life. Trust and Honesty This program explores the importance of nurturing relationships, both old and new. Is honesty always the best policy? Do white lies spare feelings? Can even suspicious people learn to have greater trust in others? Through group discussion and role play, seniors develop the skills necessary to elicit greater respect from others, build confidence in themselves and expand their social network. Expressive Writing
Personal Journaling Personal Journaling is a unique way for seniors to rediscover themselves. This creative process can be used to express inner thoughts or help participants cope with life's challenges. Techniques and ideas for organizing thoughts are explored as participants learn how to design their own journal.
Creative Writing This playful program is designed to encourage analytical thinking. Seniors collectively conceive their own characters and plots by using brainstorming techniques and illustrations to spark creative thinking. Props are also used to enhance the process. For lower functioning seniors, stories are told with illustrations, puppets and props to enhance attention to details and to bring the story to life. Storytelling These interactive stories are perfect for individuals with early to moderate dementia. Each short story is designed to enhance and stimulate memory by motivating seniors to recall past and present events or simply share aspects of everyday life. Participants get involved in these lighthearted tales by creating their own characters, assisting with plot development or just sharing thoughts. Visual and verbal cues are used to help in the retrieval of information. Short Story Reading Club This unique workshop is a perfect way to keep up reading and comprehension skills while connecting with others. At each session, copies of several short stories will be provided to the participants. After everyone has had the opportunity to read through the one or two page pieces, the group will then critique the work. A list of questions will be provided to help elicit responses. The Power of Optimistic Thinking This program helps seniors understand that optimistic thinking can be learned and applied to their daily lives to reduce negative thinking and depression. Negative thinking limits our ability to see possibilities, solve problems and develop resiliance against life’s stresses, losses and disappointments. In this workshop, seniors learn how to maintain a realistic positive attitude. Fears and Phobias Whether it’s approaching a social situation with dread or having trepidation about a doctor visit, fear plays an important role in our daily lives. This program will explore both common and unusual phobias as well as understanding the circumstances under which being fearful is appropriate. Participants will share some of the ways they’ve been able to overcome certain fears while at the same time helping others with theirs. Mood Enhancers Some days we just feel down. When this happens, many would welcome ways to snap out of the doldrums and enjoy the day. This program helps the participants discover simple ways for getting back out there to participate in social events, connect with others or simply feel better.
All About Love Everyone needs to know they are loved. Some of us can easily show love and affection, while others close themselves off to giving and receiving loving attention. Seniors will explore the ways in which they express their love to family and friends and the forms in which they receive love. This program will address the importance of love as it relates to feelings of security and acceptance. Comparative Religion Although the evolution and traditions of each religion may differ, the core beliefs are very similar. This important program emphasizes how we’re more alike than different. We all want the same things for our family, friends and the world. In settings where older adults find themselves living with individuals with religious differences, sharing the meanings of our religious symbols, rituals and prayers is a wonderful way to develop a deeper understanding of others.
Body Language Without saying a word, the way we stand, sit and make eye contact can give another clues as to whether we're lying or telling the truth. Just as a shrug of the shoulder may communicate confusion, more subtle shifts in our bodies and changes in facial expression enable others to know what's on our mind. This lighthearted program shares some of the indirect ways we relate to each other through body language and can be an invaluable tool in social settings.
Superstition Magical thinking sometimes helps us get through difficult situations. Perhaps wearing a certain outfit gives us the confidence we need in social settings. Students will sometimes use a special pen in the belief that they will get higher test scores. This program will explore the origins of many of the more familiar superstitions. Participants will share some of the ways superstition has helped them or held them back in their lives. Stress Reduction Seniors often have a difficult time dealing with stress. Worries related to health, family, loss of loved ones and finances detract from their daily lives. Concerns about end of life issues make it problematic for older adults to enjoy simple pleasures. This program offers a variety of ways to cope with negative thoughts and anxiety about life situations over which we have no control. Simple relaxation and distraction methods will be discussed. Participants will be encouraged to share their stressors and coping mechanisms with others. Peace of Mind and Dealing With Regret Letting go of regrets, family conflicts and the “should haves” of an older person’s life is very difficult. With extra time on their hands, seniors sometimes look back at all the experiences they might have missed. They ruminate about actions not taken, lost opportunities and financial mistakes. Seniors will learn ways to let these thoughts go and live in the here and now. This will enable them to move forward and better enjoy their remaining years. Good News Although bad news sells newspapers and keeps people glued to their televisions, headlines often make us feel anxious, sad and hopeless. This upbeat program will present a more optimistic view of the world. Stories with positive outcomes, miracles, tales of triumph and heroism will be presented. Seniors will be encouraged to share moments in their lives or the lives of others that, although difficult, had a positive outcome. Newcomers Club This program is designed especially for new residents of assisted living facilities or continued care retirement communities. Seniors will meet others sharing similar concerns about this major change in their lives. They will learn of some of the activities offered by the facility and perhaps connect with others with similar interests. They will be encouraged to talk about where they lived, worked and what they enjoyed doing prior to their move. Participants will be helped to develop new relationships and learn ways to fit in. This program can be ongoing until residents feel comfortable joining in with others. Professional Development Programs These workshops and lectures help those working with seniors understand the special needs of this population so as to maximize their effectiveness. Participants learn to motivate seniors, communicate more effectively, avoid burnout and resolve conflicts between and among residents and staff. Burnout Caring for older adults can be very challenging. Before long, simple requests can seem like demands and communication issues such as hearing loss and dementia can be a source of tremendous frustration. This program focuses on recognizing the signs of burnout in yourself as well as your coworkers. Professionals often feel overwhelmed and unrewarded for the care they give to seniors. The program addresses ways of coping with the anger and fatigue often felt by caregivers.
Conflict Resolution This program is designed for staff as a means of understanding, preventing or resolving conflict. Professional conduct in the workplace is essential in order to foster respect, empathy and compassion. Improving verbal and non-verbal communication skills can help resolve issues among staff members and with older adults and aid in improving methods of negotiation. Criticism can be used as an opportunity for professional development and not seen as a way to diminish self-esteem. Dramatic Arts and Communication Caring for older adults can be very stressful. This light-hearted program uses basic acting techniques such as improvisation and miming to break the ice among staff members. This form of artistic expression is an excellent way to foster communication and socialization. To increase employees’ desire to work together as a team, many of the exercises require group participation and problem-solving techniques using the dramatic arts as a catalyst. The program teaches ways to use emotion and body language to convey feelings and increase trust. This workshop is perfect for new and seasoned staff members alike. Marketing and Sales All of the programs above can be adapted to attract older adults and their families to your facility.
