Silk Flowers Provide Meaningful Activity for Seniors

In an assisted living setting, there are usually quite a few residents who are beginning to feel the effects of Alzheimer disease. There are others whose experience of the disease is quite progressed. At the same time, there are residents who have no dementia. Finding activities that are suitable for all residents is a challenge. Here is one that I found to be quite effective when I was working as a Life Enrichment Coordinator at an assisted living facility.

One of the main things to remember when organizing activities for seniors is that they are adults. It is important to treat them with respect and create activities that allow as much freedom of choice, creativity, and self-determination as possible. It is also important to offer activities that are not just busy-work. The end result of the activity should be a measurable improvement to the home, a truly attractive decoration, a really useful item, and so on. Even residents whose dementia is quite progressed can recognize when they are just being played. It is important to create truly meaningful activities.

This is why activities involving silk flowers are very rewarding. Silk flowers are beautiful and elegant and come in every kind of plant and flower known to humankind (or so it seems). Because of this, it is possible for everyone in an assisted living residence to create something appropriate and attractive that will appeal to him or her and actually make an appropriate, lasting gift for the resident to present to a family member. Working with materials that are intended for adults to create an item of true value gives seniors a sense of pride and accomplishment.

I was fortunate that, when I was working as a Life Enrichment Coordinator, I came across a big bin full of silk flowers in the storage closet. This bin provided materials for several activities, many hours of fun, and some very beautiful decorations. Here are some of the things we did with the bin of flowers.

Sorting by color: We separated out all the red, white and blue flowers to make decorations for Fourth of July.

We sorted out all the yellow, pink, and lavender flowers to make springtime bouquets for the dining room tables.

We sorted all the greenery out for "Hanging of the Greens" at Christmas time.

Sorting by size: We separated the smaller flowers to make teacup arrangements for Mother's Day.

Each sorting was followed by a time to use the sorted flowers to create decorations for the residence. These activities were ongoing throughout whole afternoons. Residents came and went. Those who were happy just sorting, did the sorting then moved on or stayed to chat with those who were able and interested in creating the arrangements. Those who were not so interested in the artistic aspects but were capable of taking the arrangements around the residence on carts and finding places to put them, enjoyed doing that. Many of the men enjoyed this aspect of the activity.

This kind of activity that allows all residents to participate according to their abilities and results in truly useful decorations that the residents can show off and be proud of is truly meaningful.

We usually enjoyed this kind of activity before a big event. The topper of the activity was that, after our event or party, residents could give their creations to their family members. Many seniors in an assisted living situation feel a lack of self-esteem because they feel they have nothing to offer. Using this activity gave them a chance to create, to participate meaningfully in their community, and to give something to their loved ones.

You may also enjoy:

Advice On A Gift For Mom In Assisted Living
http://www.advice.com/latest/article/2009/04/29/Advice+On+a+Gift+for+Mom+in+Assisted+Living+

Silk Flower Arranging for Gifts and Decoration
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1687341/silk_flower_arranging_for_gifts_and.html?cat=30

Roses Say It All!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Roses-Say-It-All

More Flowers - Be sure to check the Silk Flowers page!
http://astore.amazon.com/seeitnow-20