Page 44 - Play to Learn -- In the New Nursing Home Environment

GratitudeAttitude
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PURPOSE
To formally express gratitude to other staff and/or elders
DESCRIPTION Participants thank others in verbal or written form.
PARTICIPANTS Team
TIME 20 Minutes
SUPPLIES
Thank you cards (bought or made) and pens for version 2
Steps:
• Ask the group “Why is gratitude important?” and take answers from volunteers. Then ask “How does it feel when someone says ‘thank you’?”
VERSION 1
• Say to the group: Have you ever watched a Hollywood award show and thought, “Why are
film stars the only ones whose accomplishments and gratitude are worth acknowledging in public?” We all should have the chance to declare our gratitude in public.
• Ask participants to take a few minutes to think about who and for what they are grateful for in terms of their experiences in the neighborhood or household, throughout a project or transition, or for just making days a little easier and more pleasant. Encourage them to include elders with whom they’ve shared special moments. They may want to jot down notes for themselves.
• Then go around and ask each person to share their gratitude. They should share thank-yous even to those who may not be there, but encourage them to seek out that person and tell them.
• This can be a simple sharing activity or you can roll out the red carpet, make award certificates or trophies, or plan a post-ceremony party to celebrate. Get creative and be celebrities for a day.
Verbal gratitude
MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION GAMES