Close-Up Is Dedicated to the Vital People Who Live and Work in Today’S Nursing Homes

April 3, 2009 Number 675 Creative Program Ideas for the Month of May 2009

The birthstone for May is the Emerald. The flowers are the Lily of the Valley and Hawthorne.

Celebrity Birthdays: May 1, 1925 ~ Charles (Chuck) Bednarik: Hall of Fame football player May 2, 1924 ~ Theodore Bikel: Singer, actor May 3, 1919 ~ Pete Seeger: Folksinger, songwriter May 4, 1930 ~ Roberta Peters: Opera singer May 5, 1927 ~ Pat Carroll: Actress May 6, 1931 ~ Willie Mays: Hall of Fame baseball player May 7, 1932 ~ Peter V. Domenici: U.S. Senator (Republican, New Mexico) May 8, 1926 ~ David Attenborough: Author, naturalist May 9, 1918 ~ Mike Wallace: Journalist May 10, 1923~ Ara Raoul Parseghian: Former football coach, sportscaster May 11, 1927 ~ Bernard Fox: Actor May 12, 1929 ~ Burt Bacharach: Composer May 13, 1926 ~ Beatrice (Bea) Arthur: Actress May 14, 1925 ~ Patrice Munsel: Opera singer May 15, 1937 ~ Madeline Albright: Former Secretary of State May 16, 1953 ~ Pierce Brosnan: Actor May 17, 1936 ~ Dennis Hopper: Actor May 18, 1934 ~ Dwayne Hickman: Actor May 19, 1937 ~ David Hartman: Actor, broadcaster May 20, 1936 ~ Anthony Zerbe: Actor May 21, 1926 ~ Robert Creeley: Actor, poet May 22, 1924 ~ Charles Aznavour: Singer, songwriter, actor May 23, 1931 ~ Barbara Barrie: Actress May 24, 1938 ~ Tommy Chong: Actor May 25, 1932 ~ K. C. Jones: Hall of Fame football player May 26, 1923 ~ James Arness: Actor May 27, 1936 ~ Louis Gossett, Jr.: Actor May 28, 1917 ~ Barry Commoner: Biologist, politician May 29, 1932 ~ Paul Ehrlich: Population biologist May 30, 1918 ~ Bob Evans: Restaurant executive May 31, 1930 ~ Clint Eastwood: Actor, director

Foods Featured in May: bread pudding, eggs, hamburgers, salads, salsa, Vidalia onions, mushrooms, shrimp, strawberries, rhubarb, pizza, ice cream, and beef

The Council Close-Up is dedicated to the vital people who live and work in today’s nursing homes. It is published by the Illinois Council on Long Term Care. **Past editions of the Council Close-Up can be found on the web site: www.nursinghome.org** Contact Myrtle Klauer, the Editor of Council Close-Up. Address: 3500 W. Peterson Ave., Ste. 400, Chicago. Il 60659. Phone: 773/478-6613 1 Important Dates to Remember: May 1st-31st ~ Older American’s Month May 1st ~ May Day May 2nd ~ Kentucky Derby May 7th ~ National Day of Prayer May 10th ~ Mothers’ Day May 10th-16th ~ National Nursing Home Week (Nurturing a Love That Lasts is the theme. For more information, visit: http://www.ahcancal.org/events/national_nursing_home_week/ Pages/default.aspx) May 16th ~ Preakness Stakes May 25th ~ Memorial Day

Gifts from the Garden Month: Gather the residents and plant seeds as “starters” for the facility’s garden -- whether it’s a series of outdoor flower pots, raised beds around the facility, or a dedicated plot of land on the grounds. This is a chance to empower the residents by helping them raise vegetables to harvest for cooking groups. Discuss standard canning methods and can some of the produce -- tomatoes, bread and butter pickles, etc. Sell the canned goods or the fresh vegetables to the staff to raise money for the activity program. Use the flowers to decorate common areas, practice flower arranging, and provide cheery bouquets for residents who are ill or returning from the hospital. Be sure to involve the residents in all aspects of these activities. For information about gardening in small spaces, visit: http://gardening.about.com/od/smallspacegardening/Garden _Design_for_Small_Spaces.htm, http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/, and http://www. Associatedcontent.com/article/693101/vegetable_gardening_in_small_spaces.html.

Barbecue Month: Set up the outdoor grills and begin a summer of outdoor barbecue activities. Dedicate a day each week for “men only” and allow them to do some of the barbecuing (under close supervision). Talk about building a proper fire, the best way to start the charcoal briquettes, best barbecue sauces, etc.

Meditation Month: Discuss the benefit of meditation and teach the residents simple meditation techniques. Practice these techniques several times each week and add several minutes of meditation at the beginning or end of small group activities. For more information, visit: http://home.att.net/~meditation/MeditationHandbook.html, http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/ meditation/meditationtechniques.html, and http://www.meditateclass.com/.

May 1st – 7th ~ Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange: During difficult economic times families prevent waste to stretch their food dollars. Many excellent recipes were developed during the Great Depression to make use of stale bread, and bread pudding was one of these recipes. Gather some of the residents’ favorite bread pudding recipes and try them during cooking activities. Have the residents pick their favorite recipes and share them with the dietitian so they can be added to the menu cycle. For recipe ideas, visit: http://www.foodnetwork.com/ recipes/paula-deen/the-best-bread-pudding-recipe/index.html, http://www.joyofbaking.com/Bread Pudding.html.

2 May 3rd-9th ~ National Pet Week: Discuss the residents’ pets and why pets are important in our lives. Demonstrate how to groom or care for the facility pets. Invite a local animal shelter to bring some of the pets available for adoption and talk about the animals’ care and ways the residents could help raise money for the shelter, organize a pet food drive, help with the shelter’s fundraising projects, etc. Invite the families to take part in a pet talent show and give small prizes to each pet that performs.

May 9th ~ Miniature Golf Day: Take the residents to a local miniature golf course or set up your own on the facility’s grounds. You can also adapt the activity and do it indoors in a large space by designing your own course. There are also online miniature golf tournaments. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_Golf and http://www.ehow.com/how_2205392_ up-miniature-golf-course-house.html.

May 10th-16th ~ Reading is Fun Week: Ask the residents to choose a book they would like to read during the week and hold a book review at the end of the week to discuss the books they read. Take this opportunity to organize a small group and read a book together. For those with vision difficulties, help the residents register for the Talking Books program or borrow books on tape from your local library. For more information, visit: http://www.loc.gov/nls/.

May 15th ~ National Pizza Party Day: Make mini pizzas (using English muffins or French bread and pizza ingredients) during cooking activities today. Work with the dietary department to add pizza to the menu. Discuss the residents’ favorite pizzas and the best places to get it. For recipes, visit: http://busycooks.about.com/cs/entrees/a/pizzarecipes.htm, http://www.elise. com/recipes/archives/004239homemade_pizza.php, and http://www.cooks. com/rec/search/0,1-0,english_muffin_pizza,FF.html.

May 18th–25th ~ Backyard Games Week: Take the residents outside to enjoy the warmer weather and play some backyard games, e.g., horseshoes, badminton, croquet, Frisbee, parachute, Bocce ball, etc. For ideas, visit: http://www.jeepfan.com/other/bolotoss.php, http:// www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-good-backyard-games.htm, and http://www.streetdirectory. com/travel_guide/39281/gaming/cornhole_and_other_backyard_games.html.

May 23rd ~ Jazz Day: Discuss Jazz and some of the individuals who made jazz famous. Gather samples of the residents’ favorite jazz music or invite a local high school jazz band to perform at the facility. Talk about jazz origins and where the best performers gathered to practice and sing. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_jazz_musicians, http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ php/musician_center.php, and http://www.apassion4 jazz.net/.

May 27th ~ Senior Health and Fitness Day: Work with the rehab and dietary departments to develop activities to help the residents realize the importance of becoming/remaining healthy and fit. Work with the physical therapist(s) to develop a simple exercise program the activity staff can lead on a daily basis. Implement the program and make adaptations as needed.

3 Simple Craft Idea for the Month of May 2009

This is a great intergenerational project and can be used as a fundraiser for the activity department. It’s also a great way to introduce spring gardening activities.

Tin Can Herb Pots

Make these charming herb pots and watch them grow all summer long! This project not only recycles; it creates new life. Your child can watch his or her plants grow for months to come and be proud of creating the container that holds them.

What you'll need: • Empty aluminum can • Screwdriver and hammer • Liquitex Basics Gesso • Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choice • Flower stickers (optional) • Acrylic sealer spray, matte finish • Craft or popsicle stick • Thin cardboard • Pinking shears • Black Sharpie marker • 5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles • 1½ cups Potting soil • 4-inch potted herb plant • White craft glue • Water

How to make it: 1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can. 2. Turn the can upside down. The activity staff should use a screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes. 3. Paint the outside of can with one coat of Gesso. Let it dry completely. 4. Paint the can the desired color; repeat coats if needed. 5. Allow the residents and children to decorate the cans the way they want. Use a thin paint brush for long lines; dip the end of the paint brush into another color paint to make polka dots on the can.

4 6. Decorate with stickers if desired. 7. Take the cans outside and spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let the can dry completely. 8. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer. 9. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full. 10. Remove the potted herb from its container and transplant into the can. 11. Fill the edges with remaining potting soil. Gently pat the soil down so that the plant is firmly in the can, but not compacted so much that it’s too tight. 12. Place the can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs. 13. Paint the craft sticks any color desired. Allow them to dry. 14. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1½ x 3 inches) using pinking shears. 15. Paint both sides of the cardboard with Gesso, let dry. 16. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick. 17. Use a black Sharpie marker to write the name of the herb onto the rectangle. 18. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way. 19. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water it! 20. Completed “gardens” can be used as a fundraising project.

Tips:

• A four-inch potted plant will be enough to make two to three vegetable sized cans (15 oz) or one larger tomato sauce type can (28 oz).

• This is a great project to learn about growing plants/herbs indoors, especially edible ones. Take this opportunity to visit your local library and check out a book on simple container gardening.

• Keep the residents involved; be sure they take care of “their” plant. Have them water their plant and show them how to check to see if the soil is too dry or just right by gently touching the soil surface with their finger.

• Eat these herbs! The residents will light up when they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to spaghetti sauce during a cooking group.

• Dry some of the herbs and seal them in air tight plastic bags for use over the winter or to sell as a fundraising project.