What do you do? Nursing home visits...

Pinky59 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 06:28 PM

Can anyone briefly tell me what a visit to a nursing home consists of? I am new, and alone in this so far. I am going to ask around my church to see if they have a group of folks who visit the nursing homes, and ask if I can go along as Pinky. But what do I do? Just visit with them, smile & hold their hands, do magic, balloons, what? Any suggestions, appreciated! What kind of magic, (simple stuff I hope!) Is there hope for a solo clown doing this?

PS I bought a video on balloons online but it hasn't come yet, so I don't know how to do balloons right now, but hopefully soon.

pixcoco · #2 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 07:16 PM

While some people there may act child like, most need to be spoken to as adults. Jokes with puns and play on words work well. And they may want to tell you a joke. In fact listening may one of the best things you can do. Balloon flowers that can sit in their rooms are nice. sight gags.
Please remember to wash your hands often.
Just ask for Gods help and listen to it. You will do just fine.

Pinky59 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 09:42 PM

That's a great idea (balloon flowers). I need to look into some easy sight gags (never been too coordinated, myself). Thanks, Coco!

Elsie · #4 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 10:10 PM

Since you are by yourself, maybe take a puppet with you. I am with River City Clowns we did Hospital visits and Did Skits at one of the Nursing Home today, We love doing skits, and the patients seem to enjoy them, then we just go and visit and talk and listen with the patients.
I love doing Nursing Homes, The elderly are so sweet.
But they seem to love my puppets. They also love stickers or the foam red clown noses.........
Have fun

Sassy Frass · #5 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 05:10 PM

Just remember to use non-latex balloons Pinky!

Elsie · #6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 05:13 PM

Our Group does not take any balloons we like the hands on and visits we do give out stickers.
They really are more interested in someone to talk to and listen.
They are so lonely and just love the company

BlossomTheClown · #7 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 05:30 PM

Now and then I and one or two others clown at nursing homes and balloon animals and stickers work well because it gives them something to show family members later what they got when the clown came to visit. Sometimes I take my clipboard with paper and ask "Can I draw a picture of YOU" and when they say yes, I act as though I'm very artistically drawing their picture when all it turns out to be is the letter 'U'. They get a kick out of that. I'm even asked to autograph my art work. If you have a cd player (or mp3, ipod with speakers) you can bring some fun songs to sing while you walk around balloon twisting. Everyone knows "You are my Sunshine", etc. Maybe take along a fake microphone for them to sing in.

A lot of times we're asked to clown at the nursing homes monthly birthday celebrations so we may ask who is having a birthday and if we can sing happy birthday backwards to them. When they say yes we turn around so our backs are to them and sing.

You'll encounter some that love to talk and all they want is for you to take a minute or two to listen to them.

I'm sure they'll love you. You look adorable.

saphireSue · #8 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 05:48 PM

Just as in hospital clowning, first thing you need to do is contact the activity person at the nuriing home, find out what you can and can not do. With HIPPA regs. they don't seemed to be as stricked as hospitals but some places are going latex free, which means no balloons, some will allow you to go to rooms to visit, others will not.

The center we go to, we call ahead and confirm the time, they have the residents that want to participate in the dayroom when we arrive. We do a small show, with skits, music and then meet and greet. I like the one on one interaction best, but I realized the first time we went [which we expect to do mostly meet and greet in small numbers] they expected a show. That's what they had been used to having when ever they had visitors.

I have some small pocket magic I carry around and props [hospital props work well here too.] stickers, and I try have a new joke. I have one fellow who always tries to have a new one for me.

Pinky59 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 06:24 PM

Thanks, Sapphire. I guess I'd better be prepared with a skit or two. I'm hoping that the one clown I do know will consent to go with me. He's pretty busy with his day job, though. So many great suggestions. I will write them down! God bless.

Pinky59 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlossomTheClown

Now and then I and one or two others clown at nursing homes and balloon animals and stickers work well because it gives them something to show family members later what they got when the clown came to visit. Sometimes I take my clipboard with paper and ask "Can I draw a picture of YOU" and when they say yes, I act as though I'm very artistically drawing their picture when all it turns out to be is the letter 'U'. They get a kick out of that. I'm even asked to autograph my art work. If you have a cd player (or mp3, ipod with speakers) you can bring some fun songs to sing while you walk around balloon twisting. Everyone knows "You are my Sunshine", etc. Maybe take along a fake microphone for them to sing in.

A lot of times we're asked to clown at the nursing homes monthly birthday celebrations so we may ask who is having a birthday and if we can sing happy birthday backwards to them. When they say yes we turn around so our backs are to them and sing.

You'll encounter some that love to talk and all they want is for you to take a minute or two to listen to them.

I'm sure they'll love you. You look adorable.

Thanks so much, blossom. You gave me so much great stuff to work with. I will take notes! God bless!
Hugs and mugs