27 Sep
Next Level of Activities in Long-term care
I have been so very encouraged over the past several weeks as I have traveled around, speaking with Activity Professionals about what the next level of activities should look like. There are some very forward thinking professionals who are truly transforming their current “programming” into person-centered programming. As we start to move from “entertainment” to engagement in our way of thinking, I would hope that we could network and discuss the different aspects of this transformation.
It all depends on the culture of the facility. My facility is in non technology area–where we only have 3 residents using the computer and are not used to the massages or spa days. They are getting used to it, as their director is from a huge city. The warm towels idea after shower was different at first, but they are getting used to it. We are re-doing old pieces of furniture (from sanding to painting to selling) The ice cream truck came every Wed– just like their culture was used to.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 amNow- 30 minutes from me in a big city– they had an activity that consisted of a car dealership owner coming to discuss how Obama’s plan helped or hindered him. It is all in the culture of your area.
The residents do pick their type of groups here!
We do engage them, although bowling and bingo are still their favorites!
After trying the so called culture change experiment, we have gone back to traditional type activities in our facility. Our residents truely disliked the change, all of it, and voted it out as soon as they could at their Resident Council. They absolutely like, as Sherry said Bingo, gardening, van rides, socials and reminiscing. Our long term residents don’t even want to think about trying a computer, our short term medicare bring their laptops if so inclined. This generation is not ready for these changes, they are the men and women who lived through the depression and WW11. They have had enough changes in their lives and are enjoying being able to choose to not participate if they please. Now when my generation comes along, very soon, we will want hot tubs, espresso, computers and we will be an expensive lot to care for. They need to think about that while our government is “changing” health care.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:48 pmOh what a shame that someone has given you the wrong impression of Culture Change. It really isn’t an “experiment”…. it is a reality for those facilities that are under the institutional model of care. Another term for CC is Person-centered care…. which I think is a much better terminology and is certainly the main focus of the Culture Change movement in long-term care. I would be very interested in finding out more of what is being done in communities to promote person-centered activity programming – the essence of community life versus arts/entertainment.
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 am