Page 10 - Vibrant Living Scrapbook

Vibrancy Includes Balance
Throughout our lives we struggle to find balance between work and play – what needs to be done for survival, and what we want to do to enjoy our time in this life. Life in the nursing home should be no different. Not getting everything done
that needs to be done in the household creates stress, burnout and even health complications, but then, so does stress. Residents and staff can work together to find balance and maintain it in the household.
One of the great joys, and sometimes struggles,
of living and working in a household is the many personalities, perspectives, skills and life experiences held by collective members of the household. Staff can learn about and support this vast range of vibrant life by purposefully weaving time into their daily work to enjoy and be with residents. When residents
help with household tasks and staff engage in the pleasures of residents’
lives, relationships are formed and the household becomes more cohesive and supportive of all who live and work there. Work, play, routine, spontaneity, quiet time and bustle are all just part of normal, daily life – the way it has always been.
Community Learning Circle Questions
What have we done so far today? Let’s go around and list some of the things occurring in our household today. While we do that, _____, could you make two columns – one labeled “Necessary Task,” the other titled “Fun” – and as each person says something that has happened in the household, we as a group will decide if it should be checked under Necessary Task or Fun – sometimes it may be both. Let’s find out just how much balance we have!
Give an example of something you did today that felt like work and something that felt more like play.
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