LIFE ENRICHMENT : Create great life enrichment activities in Nursing Homes
Last October, we organized a survey to understand what were the best practices in terms of facilities and activities in nursing homes.
We asked many questions to psychologists, nursing home directors, nursing home facilitators, etc…, and received more than 650 answers.
Our aim now is to give relevant advice to all nursing home facilitators who want to be more efficient and accessible with elderly people and their training.
First of all, seniors rarely hesitate to take part in nursing home activities. They are open-minded and love discovering new activities in their everyday life. That is why playing brain games with them is a great option!
BEFORE THE ACTIVITY – Organizing & planning
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- Organize face to face meetings with each resident to get to know them better and to help them discover your establishment. This will allow you to anticipate their fears and concerns.
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- Know all the residents’ impairments to propose them adapted activities in Nursing Homes. You will also be able to offer other senior brain apps, etc.
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- Never underestimate the resident’s capacities, you could be surprised. Sometimes, they are gifted in using new technologies such as brain games and senior brain apps, etc.
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- Organize simple events, so that all residents can participate. Don’t forget to take into consideration their experience and the place where the event is being held (city? countryside?). This will help you organize successful senior residents’ activities.
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- Schedule your Nursing Home activities within a year and give bearing to your residents to win their loyal.
DURING THE ACTIVITY – Acting
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- Don’t be obsessed with the project! Instead, focus on how the seniors react. Spend time listening to them, and try to distract them with a bit of fun. You can also assist them when they play fun brain games!
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- Don’t hesitate to set up groups of 3 or 4 members. (example: activities in nursing homes).
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- Be aware of your skills and know your own limits. Do not hesitate to ask for some help from other caregivers.
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- Don’t be shy. You must not be afraid of being ridiculous. You must be confident to organize successful activities in nursing homes
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- Act with the residents: take part in your Nursing home cultural activities (Exemple: DIY activities) instead of expecting great results from the elderly. It will improve the quality of you Nursing Home cultural activities!
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- You must have a high capacity to adapt to your environment and know how to improvise. If you lack imagination, you could motivate seniors to play games to train their brain.
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- Always encourage your residents to participate! Elderly peopple can often be shy, they are more often onlookers rather than direct participants. Let them play great fun brain games!
- Whatever happens, act in the spur of the moment!
AFTER THE LIFE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY
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- React to any feedback! They could inspire new activities in Nursing Homes(example: playing brain games, Alzheimer’s apps, etc).
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- Always go over your activities in Nursing Homes, and try to identify aspects to improve.
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- Don’t seek too much recognition.
GENERAL ADVICE
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- Remain available for all residents (do not forget anybody) in all situations.
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- Value your residents, do not underestimate them. (example: When they play games for the brain).
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- Stay motivated, stay in a good mood and maintain your creativity. Never give up! In fact, activities in nursing homes could be tiring!)
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- Work in collaboration with the care team during activities for senior residents
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- Create and maintain a social link with families.
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- Do not infantilize seniors. This obviously won’t encourage them to participate in the next activities in nursing homes.
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- Give priority to the quality rather than quantity. You could assist seniors when they play senior brain apps, etc.
- Request information from the town hall to identify what partnerships could be established (Schools, associations, etc.).
Animation in Nursing homes is an on-going and continuous activity!
What are you waiting for?
Life facilitators should also take time to have a drink with seniors, to discuss with them, to understand their concerns, and overall smile to them! To smile is the best animation you could ever offer to lonely people! Don’t forget to SMILE!
See also…
An adapted app for people in nursing homes:
Scarlett
A brain training program with more than 30 memory games adapted for people suffering from mild to severe cognitive disorders, such Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
- A simple interface,
- 3 levels of difficulty,
- No WiFi needed
Try the app for free for a week on Android and Apple tablets!
+ 30 adapted games
2-player games
Without WiFi
Play whenever and wherever you want!
LET’S START TODAY
DYNSEO,
and your brain is a new hero!
CONTACT
contact@dynseo.com
多样化的活动选择
在养老院中，提供多样化的活动可以有效提高老年人的参与度和满意度。以下是一些可以考虑的活动类型：
- 艺术与手工艺：提供绘画、陶艺、编织等手工艺活动，促进老年人的创造力和动手能力。
- 音乐疗法：举办音乐会或歌唱活动，利用音乐的力量来提升情绪和社交互动。
- 健身与运动：安排适合老年人的健身课程，如瑜伽、太极或舞蹈，帮助他们保持身体健康。
- 文化活动：组织电影放映、书籍讨论会或主题讲座，丰富老年人的文化生活。
建立社区联系
养老院不仅是老年人的居住地，还是他们与外界联系的重要纽带。通过以下方式，可以增强与社区的联系：
- 志愿者活动：邀请社区志愿者来养老院与居民互动，分享他们的故事和经验。
- 社区活动：定期举办社区开放日，邀请周边居民参与养老院的活动，促进邻里关系。
- 合作项目：与当地学校或大学合作，开展跨代际项目，让年轻人与老年人之间建立联系。
- 外出活动：组织居民参加社区活动，如集市、节庆庆典等，增强他们的归属感。
技术在生活丰富活动中的应用
现代科技可以为养老院的生活丰富活动提供新的可能性。以下是一些技术应用的例子：
- 虚拟现实：利用虚拟现实技术，带领老年人体验旅行或参加活动，增加他们的生活乐趣。
- 在线课程：提供在线课程，让老年人学习新技能，如烹饪、语言或音乐。
- 社交媒体：鼓励老年人使用社交媒体与家人和朋友保持联系，减少孤独感。
- 健康监测：使用可穿戴设备监测老年人的健康状况，及时调整活动安排。
评估和反馈机制
为了确保活动的有效性和适应性，建立评估和反馈机制是必要的。可以考虑以下措施：
- 定期调查：通过问卷或访谈收集居民对活动的反馈，了解他们的需求和偏好。
- 活动记录：记录每次活动的参与人数和居民的反应，分析哪些活动更受欢迎。
- 调整计划：根据反馈及时调整活动内容和形式，以更好地满足居民的期望。
- 定期会议：与护理团队和活动组织者定期召开会议，讨论活动的效果和改进措施。
心理健康与养老院活动
心理健康对老年人的整体幸福感至关重要。在养老院中，通过丰富的活动可以有效促进老年人的心理健康。以下是一些有助于提升心理健康的活动：
- 冥想与放松：定期组织冥想和放松课程，帮助居民减轻压力，提升内心平静。
- 情感表达工作坊：通过绘画、写作或音乐等方式，鼓励居民表达自己的情感与经历。
- 团体支持小组：创建小组，让居民分享各自的故事和感受，增强彼此间的支持与理解。
- 心理健康讲座：邀请专业心理医生进行讲座，普及心理健康知识，提高居民的自我认知。
营养与健康饮食
良好的饮食习惯对老年人的健康至关重要。养老院可以通过以下方式促进居民的营养健康：
- 营养讲座：定期举办营养知识讲座，教授居民健康饮食的重要性及如何选择食物。
- 烹饪活动：组织居民参与烹饪活动，让他们体验制作健康餐点的乐趣。
- 个性化饮食计划：根据每位居民的健康状况制定个性化饮食计划，确保他们获得所需的营养。
- 定期健康检查：与医疗团队合作，定期对居民进行健康检查，及时调整饮食方案。
跨代际互动活动
促进不同年龄段之间的互动可以增强社区的凝聚力。养老院可以通过以下方式开展跨代际活动：
- 学校合作项目：与当地学校合作，组织学生与老年人一起参与活动，如手工艺制作或游戏。
- 社区服务活动：鼓励年轻人与老年人一起参与社区服务，增强社会责任感。
- 故事分享会：定期举办故事分享会，让老年人向年轻人讲述自己的生活经历。
- 文化交流活动：组织文化交流活动，让不同年龄段的人一起探讨和分享各自的文化背景。
环境与设施优化
良好的环境和设施能够提升老年人的生活质量。养老院应考虑以下优化措施：
- 无障碍设计：确保养老院的设计符合无障碍标准，方便所有居民的出入和活动。
- 舒适的社交空间：创建舒适的社交空间，鼓励居民之间的交流与互动。
- 绿化环境：增加院内绿化，提供一个自然舒适的环境，有助于居民的身心健康。
- 安全设施：定期检查和维护安全设施，确保居民的安全和舒适。