Looking for session planning inspiration? Recently our MT-BCs, Elise Scullin and Whitney Perry, have been having a lot of fun creating memory care session plans based on the events happening in the month! It has been a great way to not only provide reality orientation for our clients, but to get us excited about new songs and ideas, too. We've listed our inspiration for the month of October below, and hope you find it a helpful tool in summarizing the month, or introducing a new one.
We like to use the Farmer's Almanac website and the National Day Calendar for inspiration, but keep your eyes open as there are several fun and helpful websites to consult! Whitney and Elise will also walk you through their thought process in this YouTube video.
Monthly Occurrences:
Birthstone: Opal; symbolizes faithfulness and confidence, and was once thought to improve eyesight (Brown Eyed Girl, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Blue Eyes Cryin’ In the Rain) or enhance intuition.
Throughout history, the gem’s reputation has oscillated between standing for luck (When Irish Eyes Are Smiling) and lack of luck. According to some, those born in October are immune from any possible negative effects.
Flower(s): Cosmos (symbol of joy in life and love and peace) and Calendula / Marigold (represents winning grace, grief, or chagrin). Consider incorporating songs that match the symbolism of each flower!
Folklore for the Season states: "Much rain in October, much wind in December". Try using:
- Here’s That Rainy Day
- Have You Ever Seen the Rain
- Stormy Weather
- Singing in the Rain
October's Calendar of Events:
October 9 was a busy day, with several holidays packed into it!
- Leif Erikson Day. Leif Erikson, also known as Leif the Lucky, was a Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental North America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. Consider using Drunken Sailor or Spanish Ladies.
- Canadian Thanksgiving
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day (U.S.)—a holiday that celebrates the history and cultures of indigenous peoples native to what is today the United States.
- Columbus Day — a U.S. federal holiday, observed on the second Monday in October.
Thank You For This Day by Karen Rucker is originally based off of a Native American chant, so it works seamlessly for both Canadian Thanksgiving and Indigenous People’s Day!
October 24: United Nations Day, which aims to bring awareness to the work of the United Nations worldwide. Try using What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
October 31: Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve)! Opt for a spooky tune (like Love Potion No. 9) or something a little sweeter (Lollipop).
“Just for Fun” Dates in October:
Oct. 4: International Ships-in-Bottles Day — Time in a Bottle or Somewhere Beyond the Sea
Oct. 4- Oct. 10: World Space Week — 2 Little Men in a Flying Saucer or Fly Me to the Moon
Oct. 6: National Noodle Day; October is also National Pizza Month — That’s Amore
Oct. 7: National Smile Day — When You’re Smiling
Oct 21: National Apple Day — Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree or Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy
Oct: 24–Nov. 11: World Origami Days — Paper Moon
Oct. 26: National Pumpkin Day — Punky Punkin
Oct. 28: Frankenstein Friday — Monster Mash
Other October Events:
The World Series —Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Oktoberfest — Bei Mer Bist Du Shein or There’s a Tear in My Beer
Diwali —This Little Light of Mine
Fun Facts:
U.S. Department of Transportation was created on October 15, 1966 (King of the Road or On the Road Again)
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is completed on October 28, 1965 – It was built as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase (Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis).
As we come to a close, I leave you with some additional considerations! Try incorporating the Zodiac signs for the month (October represents Libra and Scorpio), the season (fall — Autumn Leaves / Autumn in New York), the weather, and anything else that inspires you! Happy planning!