Hi,
My wife and I volunteer at a nursing home near where we live. I've gone there once as a clown and love it! I'd sure like some advice on how I could do some "clowning" that wouldn't take too much energy. I have multiple sclerosis and get tired easily. I would do ANYTHING to help to encourage the wonderful people who have to reside there!

Thanks for any advice!

oreo :D

Maybe you could do a mini show in the activity room where the residence come to the activity room to watch the show. It could be puppets, magic, singing, story reading or balloons.

I'll put my two cents worth. I think playing a simple instrument and doing sing-a-long songs with residents in a nursing home is the best activity you could ever do. (Former activity director). You can do that sitting down. Just pop a squat and they will naturally come to you. O.K. it of course with the activity director. You can throw in a silly one like a bawdy folk song if you want to be in a clown character. If you need suggestions ask Pobo the Hobo or I can give you a few ideas.
Sara K.

My wife Carol is AAAmazing at doing balloon animals (for someone who'd never done them before). I am AAAmazingly not-so-good with my first efforts but what I lack in ability I make up for with tenacity.

Thanks Special K for the suggestions for using songs, as for the instrument--kazoo is my spec-i-a-l-ty!

Jodie, I enjoy the story reading suggestion as well as the magic idea. Any magic suggestions for a beginner?

I appreciate you for making me feel at home here at Clown Forum! :applause:

I did a kazoo band with my residents a few times..after they learned how to make them work..that was like one of their favorite activities..they love stories and almost anything that you can come up with...seriously..I worked in nursing homes for 20 yrs...they enjoy about anything that is keeping them busy. Good luck Oreo and God bless you for wanting to do that...they are many times just forgotten.

I am blessed Squiggles! We started this ministry about 6 mos. ago. Each time I go in to the home I pray the Lord will place the words in my heart and mind to help the residents. I'd like to "wear" two different hats. The clown hat to amuse and entertain as well as my Rob hat that listens and empathizes with them when I'm not a clown.

God does, indeed, place those word I pray for in my mouth when needed. I have faith that He will help me with this new facet of my ministry