NURSING HOME VISITORS HAVE FUN WITH NURSING HOME'S RESIDENTS USING THE ACTIVITIES MAIL BOARD.

communication skills

Every aspect of this program has a deeper meaning than a picture or a song or a game to play.

That deeper meaning is about exercising the body, and mind, expressing interests, developing companionship, enhancing self-image, and gaining feelings of accomplishment, usefulness and self confidence. Allowing them to feel that they are participating in life and improving the friendship aspects of their home. 

If all we see in a nursing home is a group of people whose minds or bodies don’t serve them well any longer, then we tend to stay away, due to fear, frustration, confusion, guilt, or simply not knowing how to communicate.

It is then we realize that:

It’s not about performance and knowing the answers.
It’s about sharing and getting the answers together.
It’s not about making great music and learning.
It’s about having a great time with music and stimulating learning skills.
It’s not about being beautiful.
It’s about doing beautiful things.

The mail board intertwines and interlocks with multiple human-interest activities which become communication tools to be used at different levels of understanding, interpretation and versatility. This incredible multitude of communication tools, can be used, at various levels of understanding, to help individuals be sociable and creative. You should find it relatively easy to move around the activities on the board with different residents. You can do pretty much any thing that interests you and helps residents be sociable and creative.

SO:                               

• Have a good time and share smiles because everyone knows a smile when they see it.
• Be respectful, but remember, you don't need to act as though you are in a hospital. This is the resident's home. They like to see you enjoying yourself, in their home. Liven things up. Don't worry. Be happy.
• Speak to different residents until you get some conversation going.
• Expect others to join you or allow them to watch you have fun because fun is contagious!
• Talk about yourself and your interests because this supports enthusiasm.
• Sometimes you may want to direct your words to their ability to understand, while at other times they may find pleasure in just listening to your voice talk to them about anything. Both of these techniques have their appropriate time and purpose.
• When something on the mail board reminds you of a story - share it.
• Ask them to share their stories - You will learn about their strengths, loves and remarkable things they have done.
• Don't worry about a continual, connected flow of conversation - Live in the moment.
• Expect the unexpected, stay calm and be like seaweed – Go with the flow.
• Don't worry about being a good leader or having followers that do exactly what you expect - Look for the smiles - If they're there, you're doing it right.
• Do not place undue value on how long the residents remember your visits. The exact moment of sharing and joy is what matters.
• Don't allow negatives. Changing the subject, smiling and singing drives them away.

     When leaving:

Parting is difficult for residents. To make it easier on them, be like the singer who says the show is over and then does one more song. Give about a 3-minute notice and then do one more thing with them. This allows them time to accept the idea of your departure while still having fun. Making suggestions of things they can continue to do on their own, also helps. Whether they do it or not, it still means that when you leave, they have a sense of purpose. Always turn to wave, smile or blow a kiss just before you disappear. Little things mean a lot.

VOLUNTEER VISITORS

Families, friends,

and people in the community  are encouraged to
start a neighborhood project of people giving just 30 minutes a month
to visiting residents and sharing the board activities.

Local businesses

may wish to donate 30 minutes a month

back into their community by allowing an employee to pay a visit to the local nursing home residents to sing a song with them or read a letter to them.

All businesses doing this will receive a certificate which they can proudly display on their bulletin board.

Click on the links below for full descriptions of Activity Categories:

Record Your Memories Say hi or send a card  For your Delight  Jobs for Residents 

Let's Get Strong  Share A Song  Letters And Stuff  Learning Page  Armchair Vacation  Bridge For Pals 

Getting To Know You includes Loven Bloom Greeting Cards - Favorite States Posters - About Me Posters - Birthday Posters Birthday Badges - Name Badges - Star Goal Awards 

We also have packages available for:

Assisted Living Centers, Adult Day Care, Hospitals,

Hospices, Retirement Centers, Special Service Group homes

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