Page 68 - Play to Learn -- In the New Nursing Home Environment

Why Not?
67
PURPOSE
To get the team to dream big and challenge what “can’t be done.”
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DESCRIPTION
The team brainstorms dreams for the nursing home and takes an honest look at the real and perceived obstacles to that dream.
PARTICIPANTS Steering, Action, Neighborhood or Household team
TIME 20 minutes
SUPPLIES flipchart and markers
Steps:
• Ask the team to brainstorm about their dreams and fantasies for the team and what it is meant to do in the organization and for the elders and themselves. Get them going with starter phrases like: “I’ve always wanted...”“There are so many times when I wish...”“If we had the money and power to do whatever we wanted I’d want us to...” even, “The days would be a little nicer if...” Encourage them to think wildly and not to self-censor. Write all the ideas on a flip chart.
• As a team, pick a dream everyone can agree on and then ask “Why not?” Now brainstorm the reasons people believe it cannot happen. Write them on the flip chart. Then go back through the list and ask if there is a way each obstacles could be overcome. Stay away from assumptions such as “But they would never let us” or “Nobody would want to do that.”
• So, is the dream possible? Is a modified version of it possible? Brainstorm ways around the obstacles. Remind folks that our dreams may seem unrealistic, but so is just saying, “It can’t be done” – as they have just proved.
Overcoming real and perceived obstacles
CULTURE CHANGE GAMES