What are good nursing home activities for a teen volunteer to do with an elderly person?

play cards with them ask them about their lives read to them ask them for wisdom talk to them about what you want to do in life bring a dog in to let them feel the warmth from the animal.

they would LOOOOOVE a male stripper.

Reading to a person Playing board games like checkers, chess Playing cards Going for walks with someone Going to museums or other places of interest Going shopping with someone There's lots of things to do, but the most important thing is that you are there for them. Many seniors are alone and lonely and long for a friend. What you want to do is really life-saving for them.

some of those elderly people like stuff like playin chess or draughts. u might could do that with em. or other board games too.

Board games are the way to go. Elderly people get competitive, and they love to play. Examples: Chess, Checkers, Bingo, Candy Land, Memory, Life, Monopoly, ect.

Whether they are good or not (usually not) at singing, nearly all old people love to sing, so why don't you write or sing a song together? Take it upon yourself to learn an old song, that the person will know, or get them to choose one for you, then learn it at home, then when you go back, you can singg together. its also a great way to promote your confidence, as elderly people tend to be nice about it.

I volunteer at a hospital near my hometown in northern illinois and I to, am a teen. To be quite honest, elderly people are the easiest people to talk to. They are so thrilled just to see somebody who actually wants to sit down and hear there stories. I've learned so much in the past 2 year of volunteering and I think it's sad that the elderly are sometimes overlooked. After you hear some cool war stories, and what it was like in the "good ol' days" I've found that older people find happiness in the simpler things, whether it's playing cards, piano, or doing a puzzle. It really doesn't take much to make there day, and THAT my friend is why volunteering is so fufilling. -- A sidenote -- some elderly people just do not want visits from people they don't know, you'll see this when you start and you'll have to learn to not take it personally. Most, however, do love visitors and will create quick bonds if you see them consistently. They can be your best friend. Good luck and don't be afraid to walk up to a 'patient' or resident and just strike up a conversation, you'll be surprised at how easy it is.

Check out these sites for some ideas or even your local Senior Center may give you some info on what Seniors like to do. Many do like music, dancing and even playing the Wii games that keep them moving. Story telling is really big also with them as well, keeps the mind active.

First meet your senior and find out what she/he might be interested in. Would she like to correspond with her grandchildren through email. Encourage her that learning to email messages and photos is not difficult and you can help her. Show her what surfing the Internet is. Would she like to look at recipes online, or flowers on-line? Being a good listener is also a good thing. Elders like to reminesce about the time when they were young and vibrant. Ask her to tell you about her grade school experience, her home life, her chores, and if she had any pets when she was a child. Ask her to tell you about her pets. Does she want to walk around the nursing home grounds? Take her for a walk if the nurses say it is safe for her to do that. Does she like music? What kind? What groups, bands, symphonies does she like. These things are a start.