NURSING HOME RESIDENTS GET ARMCHAIR VACATIONS FROM THE NURSING HOMES ACTIVITY MAIL BOARD.

You can call it Making Believe, Pretending, Meditating or Daydreaming-We call it Armchair Vacationing.

A psychologist presented us with the idea of developing a meditation series, through which residents would have an opportunity to enjoy imagining their own activities within carefully chosen, innocent and safe pictures, made up mostly of calm nature scenes, cute or beautiful animals, and children at play. These vacations can easily be done alone, but if you share your stroll with someone else, you’ll both enjoy the company.

Want to try an ARMCHAIR VACATION?

NATURE’S MAGIC

You’re in your car, driving along the highway, when in the early morning light you see this beautiful deer family on the hillside right beside the road. You stop your car. They are cautiously watching you. You get out. They are cautiously watching you. You walk slowly toward them. They don’t move. You get closer and closer to them. They don’t run away. You get nearer and nearer until you are standing right beside them. You reach out and pet the buck. He’s not afraid, because he knows you mean his family no harm. The doe bows her head to your outstretched hand and you scratch her behind the ear. The fawn nuzzles up to you and you love it. You can stand here as long as you want, sharing your love with these gentle deer. You know that anytime you come down this highway, they will come to this hilltop to meet you. HAVE FUN!

HOW TO USE IT:

The text that goes with any of these vacations may be used as a complete adventure or as a starting point for your own creative excursion. There are lots of things to see and do in each picture besides what the text indicates. Discourage or redirect any negativity or sense of danger that may happen to emerge during the excursion. This is most easily redirected with humor. End each session by suggesting that the resident vacation again whenever they want. Once a resident gets the idea and enough practice he or she can do this exercise with just about any picture or while flipping through a magazine. An Armchair Vacation anytime, anywhere will bring that resident precious moments of joy, comfort and fun.

NOTE: One week we provide the text for the adventure. But, so as not to limit these excursions by just our imagination, we give do-it-yourself instructions, with every other week’s picture.

Want to do one more ARMCHAIR VACATION?

LET'S PRETEND

You’re walking down this country road. It’s your own special road. It’s safe. It’s paved with small loose pebbles. You can hear the pebbles crunching under your feet. You look to your left and see an open field. The farmer has just mowed the field and it smells fresh and sweet. You pause and breathe deeply, enjoying the smell. The sun is warm and you turn your face up to it. A cool breeze blows through your hair as you listen to it rustle through the leaves of the trees. Would you like for someone to join you and talk as you walk along? Could there be horses or cows or sheep in the field? You may return to walk along this road anytime, for as long as you wish. Continue your walk in your own imagination.

HAVE FUN!

Click on the links below for full descriptions of Activity Categories:

Record Your Memories Say hi or send a card For your Delight Jobs for Residents

Let's Get Strong Share A Song Letters And Stuff Learning Page Armchair Vacation Bridge For Pals

Getting To Know You includes Loven Bloom Greeting Cards - Favorite States Posters - About Me Posters - Birthday Posters Birthday Badges - Name Badges - Star Goal Awards

We also have packages available for:

Assisted Living Centers, Adult Day Care, Hospitals,

Hospices, Retirement Centers, Special Service Group homes