5 Ways to Make Activity Planning Plain and Simple

Is life feeling overwhelmingly busy lately? You're not alone. As the holiday season rolls in, the flurry of planning, special events, school breaks, and the usual challenges of life can seem daunting. Activity planning may be the last thing you want to be doing. This blog post is designed to offer support and valuable resources to activities staff in care facilities and caregivers, aiming to lighten your load while helping you plan for the upcoming year.

Importance of Planning in Care Facilities

Effective planning is imperative to successful activity coordination in care facilities, but I don't have to tell you that. It's not just about scheduling events; it's about creating meaningful experiences for residents while managing the workload efficiently. Planning allows for a more organized approach, ensuring that all activities are tailored to the resident's needs and interests and that resources are used optimally. As the year comes to a close, let's explore how strategic planning can make a world of difference in your caregiving journey.

Recommended Resources

These resources are all public and can be used at any level or facility. If you need additional support, feel free to book time with Gael; she’ll help get you where you want to go.

1. Read: ‘How to Plan Activities for the Next 12 Months'

This article offers a comprehensive approach to activity planning. It covers everything from understanding residents' interests to scheduling and resource allocation, providing a year-long roadmap for smooth operations.

2. Watch: ‘How to Plan an Activity with Storytelling in 3 Simple Steps'

Storytelling is a powerful tool in caregiving. This video guides you through integrating storytelling into activities, enhancing engagement and personal connection.

3. Listen: ‘Planning, Pantsing, and Storytelling'

Dive into this podcast episode for creative ideas on activity planning. It discusses various approaches, including spontaneous (‘pantsing') and structured methods, offering a fresh perspective on storytelling in care settings.

4. Family Holiday Story Planner

The Family Holiday Story Planner – is a fantastic tool for capturing and sharing holiday stories. It's designed to engage both residents and their families, creating new memories while cherishing the old ones. Whether it's a family visit or a group activity in the facility, this planner can guide you in creating storytelling sessions that resonate with everyone.

Why It’s Important

This Planner is intended to help you capture stories during the holidays and connect with family and friends. Sometimes the only time you see these humans is during the holidays and that makes it extra special.

I know what it means to have seen someone last holiday and now they aren't there. This planner and activity kit is designed to facilitate storytelling and connecting while you enjoy each other's company. Think of this planner as a guide. Use what works for you and skip the rest.

What’s included

The planner includes 12 minimalist & elegant printable pages. They are crafted to help you stay organized and have clarity around your story projects, goals, and schedule, and help you cross the finish line of telling your stories or helping someone you love tell theirs.

Things to Know

• This is an instant PDF digital download for printing out on paper from your computer. 
• No physical product is sent in the mail.
• Ink-friendly, sophisticated design
• It comes in sizes US Letter & A4

5. Storytelling Activity – Sharing Holiday Traditions

Encourage your residents to share their unique holiday traditions through a storytelling session. Using The 52 Weeks of Storytelling Series, you shortcut the time it takes to plan and implement storytelling programming. The series includes prompts that look like the ones below but cover an entire year with weekly videos and prompts.

Here are some questions to spark engaging conversations:

• What is your favorite food-related holiday tradition?
• What are cherished holiday memories from your childhood?
• What holiday traditions do you enjoy now?
• Have you heard of any holiday traditions you'd like to experience?
• Do you have any unusual or humorous holiday traditions?

What’s Next for Your Activity Planning this Season

Planning and using the right resources are key to successfully managing holiday activities in care facilities. These tools and ideas are tailored to make the holiday season more manageable, meaningful, and enjoyable for caregivers and residents.

The holiday season is a special time of year and one that can be enjoyed for years to come when the right care is taken to ensure meaningful activities and experiences. Caregivers and residents alike should take the time and effort to appreciate the spirit of the season and the joy and comfort it brings. Hopefully, these resources make it a little easier to connect and tell stories with your residents and or loved ones.