Educational Activity Programs for Older Adults

A 12-Month Idea Guide for Adult Education Instructors and Activity Directors in Gerontology

Janice Williams, Janet C Downs

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9780866562966
• eBook ISBN: 9781317840558
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Adult Education

If you have ever found yourself frustrated by the lack of printed materials for ideas to be used in conducting classes or activities with older adults, look no more! Educational Activity Programs for Older Adults is an innovative guide for planning programs that meet the social, recreational, rehabilitative, and educational needs of older adults.This valuable resource includes detailed instructions for two activity programs and a list of events for each month of the year. Particular emphasis is placed on holidays and the events surrounding them, with every possible detail provided--history and culture, program overview, preparation, arts and crafts activities, and music, food, and costume ideas. The resourceful and skilled authors have also included a list of topics for every day of the month, which the creative activity professional can use to plan additional activities or generate discussions.Use this practical volume to offer new, unique, and effective instructional programs for older adults. The variety of the activities illustrates the wide range of choices and the limitless creativity you can use in program planning. The focus is on the individual and what benefits him or her most. You will learn how to prepare for each project and how to teach it--with step-by-step descriptions. Educational Activity Programs for Older Adults is a comprehensive book that gives you a wealth of ideas for flexible and fun projects that will motivate and educate the older adults with whom you work.Highlights of this useful book...

• theories related to aging that provide general background knowledge
• two activity programs and list of events for each month of the year
• a list of monthly events that contains at least one topic for every day of the month
• educational, stimulating, and fun activities for program participants and their instructors
• complete details of activities that develop specific motor skills and cognitive functioning in older persons
• an overview of the background of each holiday, as well as a thorough explanation of how to implement the program
• flexible programs to meet the needs of older adults
• step-by-step instructions for planning and teaching each activity
• lists of convenient materials for each project
• ideas for arts and crafts activities, music, and food that are appropriate for each holiday celebration
• ideas for activities that encourage individual participation, enabling older adults to express their interests, talents, and areas of expertise

Programs

January

Caribbean “Love Boat” Cruise

One should eat to live, not live to eat. —Socrates

History and Culture

Our Caribbean “Love Boat” Cruise takes us to visit four of the largest ports-of-call in the Caribbean. Fifty years ago most of these islands were occupied only by sleepy villages. Today influxes of tourists debark regularly from huge cruise ships filling the islands with people from all over the world and making tourism the biggest economic factor on most of the Caribbean islands’ ports-of-call.

On our cruise we will visit the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and the Virgin Islands.

Bahamas

This group of 700 islands in the West Indies spreads from the southeastern tip of Florida almost to Haiti. Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is located on the island of New Providence. Nassau was once a pirate haven, but today the British colonial influence can be seen in the architecture of the pink and white houses that predominate throughout the town. Christopher Columbus sighted the islands in 1492 although he did not land there. Today the islands are inhabited mostly by blacks. New Providence island is also famous for its “Love Beach,” a tourist beach about a 1-1/2-hour drive from Nassau.

Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico and is considered the second oldest city in the western hemisphere. The city is filled with colonial houses in the Spanish style. Many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the United States in the past 50 years—mostly for economic reasons.

Haiti

Haiti is a mountainous island and was also discovered by Christopher Columbus. Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city. The people are descendents of African slaves brought there. Their language is French mixed with some African influence.

Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands were also discovered by Columbus. Mostly black people inhabit the islands which boast Danish colonial architecture. Some of the Virgin Islands belong to the United States and some to Britain. Charlotte Amalie is the capital, located on the island of St. Thomas which used to be a base for pirates. A castle was built there by the pirate Bluebeard. The islands of St. John and St. Croix (which is the largest island) are also part of the Virgin Islands.

Program Overview

The Caribbean Love Boat Cruise has been organized as a week-long program designed to include staff members as well as residents. The amount of staff participation is easily variable, but it should be remembered that staff participation is highly desirable for the benefit of residents and staff. A program such as this can have the effect of cementing relationships and can be fun as well as a great learning experience for all.

In this program staff members should play the part of the ship’s crew—the facility’s Administrator is the “Captain,” the Activities Director is the “Cruise Director,” etc. Residents, of course, are the passengers. Everyone gets to dress up for the whole week and preparations should start weeks ahead by making elaborate decorations, such as posters, etc., for advertising and plans for special food and entertainment—all designed to include as many people and generate as much publicity as possible.

This program includes activities for five days designed to mimic the types of activities common on cruise ships. See the Program Plan for a detailed daily schedule.

NOTE: This program does not explain the suggested activities in detail as the program includes a week of varied activities, many of which are common, everyday types of games and parties which need little explanation. The key to this progr...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• List of Contributors
• Contents
• Editor
• Acknowledgments
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Purpose of This Book
• Preface
• fm
• Introduction
• Psychosocial, Motivational, and Educational Aspects of Aging
• “Life Is a Journey”
• Programs
• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December