Page 57 - Play to Learn -- In the New Nursing Home Environment

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Spring C eaning
PURPOSE
To acknowledge old ways of doing things and assumptions about life in a nursing home and those who live there, and to let go of them.
DESCRIPTION
Participants write down the things about the traditional/institutional model they want to get rid of and “throw them out.”
PARTICIPANTS 6 or more
TIME 45 minutes
SUPPLIES
Paper, pens, large box or basket laundry basket.
Steps:
• Each participant gets several sheets of paper and a pen. Place a large box or basket in the middle of the room. This will serve as the “trash bin.”
• On each sheet of paper participants should write one thing about the institutional/ traditional model of care that they (or the organization) have moved beyond but are still sort of clinging to. These can be practices or attitudes. When they have written it down, they should then crumple the paper up and throw it in the “trash bin.” Give people 5-10 minutes to do this.
• Once everyone has tossed in their “trash,” take them out one by one to uncrumple them, read them out loud and discuss. Ask these questions: Why do we want to get rid of this piece? Why are we still clinging to it? How is it holding us back? What can we do to let it go?
• Do this to all pieces, acknowledging repeats as evidence that others have the same concern. From here, there can be a general acknowledgement of the trash and a consensus to try harder to move beyond it. Or, teams may be formed around certain or all pieces to make action plans to banish them (hopefully) once and for all.
Throw out the past and move on
CULTURE CHANGE GAMES