Page 46 - Play to Learn -- In the New Nursing Home Environment

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Activity Activity
PURPOSE
To find out how elders like to spend their time and how they can share these things with the rest of the neighborhood, household or other small group within the facility.
DESCRIPTION
Staff interview (elders and/or family members) to learn about their interests and then together plan a way to share them with other elders.
PARTICIPANTS
Staff members and elders (and perhaps their family members)
TIME See steps
SUPPLIES
About 6 common objects
Steps:
• Pair staff members with elders. You can do this through card selection or the pairs can be based on special relationships between elders and staff or known shared interests.
• Sometime during the next two weeks, the staff member should visit with a resident to learn about his or her daily pleasures and favorite activities before they moved here as well as now. Ask questions like: What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have hobbies? What are they? Did you belong to any clubs? In the past, how did you spend your weekends?
• Together, the staff and elder should discuss what plans the two of them can make to share this activity with the household, neighborhood or small group of residents. Set a date to meet with the household, neighborhood or activities team to discuss the plan.
• Also, make plans so that the elder can partake in his or her favorite hobbies and activities regularly on a personal level.
Find ways for elders to share
ICEBREAKER/GET TO KNOW YOU GAMES