I really need input ASAP. I work at a nursing home and I really want to make the holidays extra special for all. Not everyone has family so not everyone gets a Christmas gift. I want to get something for everyone. I was going to get a big screen T.V. but the nursing home just bought one. I will be raising the money and I will guess an amount around $800-$900. Please give any ideas. I am looking for one big gift if possible but any input would be great. Thank you! Melissa
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i think that idea posted of the "old time movies and favorite stars " is a wonderful idea! ebay sellers often list those old classics in lots. and sometimes the video store have old movies they sell on a table for $1.00 each. they would love actors like Jimmy Stewart, Betty Davis, John Wayne. You could even have mens night & ladies night movies. other thoughts are a buying the old music tunes from there days gone by and play them aloud through a intercom for all rooms to hear or even get the bible on cd stories to play the same way. You could ask the staff to do this on certain days at certain times.
My grandmother was in the coolest nursing home. They had large fishtanks with beautiful fish. The nurses would park the people in wheelchairs in the hallway for a little while so they could look at the fish and talk to one another. Also so they could watch the visiting children ooh and aah at the pretty fish. These were very large, beautiful tanks like you might see in a seafood restaurant but with colorful small fish. The other awesome thing they had in the halls were super fancy handmade bird habitats. The bird enclosures looked like china cabinets. They were nice wood and glass and there were nests in there made out of some kind of natural fibers and the birds slept in the nests that were attached to the back wall of the cabinet.
Many of the residents like my big, sweet, German Shepherd, too. The dogs don't have to be small, just clean and well-behaved.
I work in a nursing home and they all fight for the news paper. We have a copy of 3 different local papers, but it seems they are never enough. A years subscription to local papers will be used every day of the year.
When I used to visit my grandmother in a nursing home the patients were always complaining about the movies on TV -- they definetly do not like today's movies! They were very nostalgic about the movies from the golden age of Hollywood. Why don't you get them a DVD player and a collection of DVD's? Bring up the topic of old time movies and favorite stars and get some ideas. Good luck! You're very sweet to be so thoughtful.
Another thought. Does the nursing home have cable? If not, maybe you could get them hooked up for that.
That is so incredibly nice you. If you are looking to make some $, why not put an ad on Craigslist and post donations for a Garage Sale. If I saw an ad, I would definitely bring items for a donation!
What about an electrical massage chair? I really like Lara's idea of a fishtank. They are incredibly soothing to watch and low maintenance. Bless you. Sharon
What about going to some area churches and see if they would like to get in on your plans. They could get together for game night or something; or getting a dog or cat to live in the home.
The DVD player and old movies is an excellent idea. Also
Blockbuster has a plethora of old movies, maybe Netflix
does too. 'Movie Night or afternoon' w/some refreshments
would certain allay some of the tedium & give residents
something to look forward to IMO.
Old movies and television shows on DVD (like I Love Lucy, etc.). A collection of large-print books would be nice for their library.
these are all great reader submitted ideas ! What thoughtful folks!
I like the visits by the pet shelters & the fish tank & the church group visiting to play (maybe sing too?!)
Perhaps some DVD's and a player for the group? Magazine subscriptions that can be read by everyone.
You are getting many good gift ideas. Don`t forget to get them all a Christmas coloring book and crayons. Have a group come in and sing.
Buy the best computer you can find--for the nursing home residents and set it up so they can use the internet. EVEN if the nursing home has one already, it is probably outdated, and they can always use another in a different floor or section. Computers are ESSENTIAL to nursing home residents. People do not realize that. But that is the truth. Write to us for updates on the latest at nursing homes onenewbeginning @ yahoo . com
Scarfs, Socks. Most Elderly Residents Like/NEED these items. ONE size fits all. Under $5 each. Every Resident can have a gift to open of their very own.
In my local Super Grocery Store, they recently had a bin with lots of odds/ends of scarfs. I managed to get 50 of them varying from $2-$3 each. and the Activities Director approved it for the budget. Start looking for the deals around town. Good Luck!!
Fish in a fish tank?
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