Activities
Usually, we have a structured activities calendar. Sometimes, people are happier just doing what they want, when they want, and we are pleased to be able to accommodate that instead.
Whether structured or informal, we customize our activities based on resident interests and needs. In the warmer months, we encourage walks outside, admiring flowers, and listening to the river. Tending the raised vegetable garden and just visiting in the fresh air are other things we enjoy outside. In the winter, we encourage physical activity as much as possible with walks inside the building and more structured exercise times. We love to create bright and beautiful things in the deep winter! We have staff with years of experience in this area who are always thinking of interesting new things to do.
Often, we have folks here who are interested in group projects like crafts, gardening, or BINGO. When they want it, we'll find things to do!
Even more often, residents already have individual interests, and just need a little help and encouragement. If you read, we'll help keep you supplied with books. If you like movies, we'll help you find what you want and maybe watch it with you! If you knit or crochet, we'll pick up yarn, admire your projects, and maybe learn a little from you. A few of our staff have brought their own projects from home and gotten lessons from residents.
We've found that for many of our residents, programs are not appealing at all, but they like to do "real" things. If they want to work, and their families and doctors approve of it, we make room for residents to help us. We've had residents mow the lawn, chop vegetables, fold clean towels, bake cupcakes, build birdhouses, load the dishwasher, and teach us how to make fancy folded things with our cloth napkins. (On their own initiative!) We encourage activities that help residents maintain their individuality and enjoy their hobbies. And who doesn't want to contribute something meaningful? If you paint us a beautiful picture, turn off the bright lights in the evening, keep the sticks off the lawn, or wipe the dining room table, you're actively engaging in your community. We often don't want to be entertained as much as we want to matter. When we ask about favorite activities, the answer is usually the work!
Whether structured or informal, we customize our activities based on resident interests and needs. In the warmer months, we encourage walks outside, admiring flowers, and listening to the river. Tending the raised vegetable garden and just visiting in the fresh air are other things we enjoy outside. In the winter, we encourage physical activity as much as possible with walks inside the building and more structured exercise times. We love to create bright and beautiful things in the deep winter! We have staff with years of experience in this area who are always thinking of interesting new things to do.
Often, we have folks here who are interested in group projects like crafts, gardening, or BINGO. When they want it, we'll find things to do!
Even more often, residents already have individual interests, and just need a little help and encouragement. If you read, we'll help keep you supplied with books. If you like movies, we'll help you find what you want and maybe watch it with you! If you knit or crochet, we'll pick up yarn, admire your projects, and maybe learn a little from you. A few of our staff have brought their own projects from home and gotten lessons from residents.
We've found that for many of our residents, programs are not appealing at all, but they like to do "real" things. If they want to work, and their families and doctors approve of it, we make room for residents to help us. We've had residents mow the lawn, chop vegetables, fold clean towels, bake cupcakes, build birdhouses, load the dishwasher, and teach us how to make fancy folded things with our cloth napkins. (On their own initiative!) We encourage activities that help residents maintain their individuality and enjoy their hobbies. And who doesn't want to contribute something meaningful? If you paint us a beautiful picture, turn off the bright lights in the evening, keep the sticks off the lawn, or wipe the dining room table, you're actively engaging in your community. We often don't want to be entertained as much as we want to matter. When we ask about favorite activities, the answer is usually the work!
