Meeting the individual quality of life needs and interests of residents in long term care facilities is quite the challenge for Activity Departments. Many residents require one to one interventions for various reasons such as cognitive impairments, severe physical limitations, health conditions and sometimes, choice. Activity staff, volunteers, family members, visitors, and other health care providers can provide one to one activities that are meaningful to each resident.
When offering one to one activities it’s important to note that one to one activities involves two people such as resident and staff, peers, family and/or volunteers.The intervention depends on the needs and interests of the individual and should reflect the comprehensive assessment. It is also a good idea to try to visit the same time and day and don’t just visit; have something prepared! In addition, the resident’s response to the one to one activity should be documented in the medical record.
Here are some great ideas for one to one programming.
Activity A-la-Carte
Create a cart filled with a variety of recreational activity supplies and equipment such as word puzzles, books, magazines, current newspaper, trivia, reminiscing materials, craft projects (tip: create individual craft kits which includes all the necessary supplies to complete the project and put in a zip-lock baggie), sensory kits, a variety of balls, rhythm stick, CD player with extra CD’s, table games and puzzles of various sizes and difficulty, manipulatives, etc.
Adapted Physical Games, Sports and Exercise
Residents who do not participate in group activities, often are not provided or offered the opportunity to participate in physical games, sports or exercise. For residents who are interested, offer 1×1 exercise and range of motion. Also for sports and physical games, you can motivate residents to participate in a One-One Sport’s Competition. Choose a sport or adapted physical game such as bowling, basketball, horseshoes, beanbag toss game, etc. and keep score for each resident. Afterwards, announce the winner and give a ribbon or certificate. Or have a cart filled with a variety of adapted sports and call it the “SportsMobile”.
Art Cart
Fill a cart with a variety of arts and crafts supplies and equipment. Don’t forget sample finished projects and directions on how to complete the projects. Be sure to have large variety of adapted equipment such as dycem, adapted scissors, large eyed needles, a clamp to hold projects, lacing cards, sponges for painting, large handled paint brushes, and so on.
Bookmobile
A bookmobile is primarily an independent activity in which residents choose a book or other reading material from a traveling cart of books. When finished, the resident returns the borrowed item. You can turn this into a one to one activity simply by spending some time with the resident and doing a book or literature review. Ask the resident if they liked the book. Who their favorite character was. Least favorite character, the ending, etc.
Fitness Trail
Ask the Physical Therapist for 10 simple range of motion or stretching activities, with accompany directions and picture. Make each station as attractive as possible, frame and hang in a hallway. The Fitness Trail may be utilized by all facility staff, family members, volunteers and the residents. It can be a scheduled activity or a spontaneous one. You may want to incorporate the Fitness Trail into restorative programs and/or therapy as well.
Individualized Sensory Kits
Create individualized sensory kits for those who benefit from sensory stimulation. Ask family members to gather important and familiar items including favorite music, an award/trophy, family photos, favorite cologne or perfume, knick-knacks or memorabilia, anything that the resident really treasured and enjoyed in the past. Please inform family members that the items may get lo. make copies o family photos or even have the family take a picture of an item they they do not want to bring in for fear of losing. Try to create kits that include items for all six senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement)
Individualized Reminiscing Kits
This is similar to the Individualized Sensory Kits above but focuses more on residents with little to no cognitive impairment. Family photos, family videos, scrapbooks, memorabilia, knick-knacks, travel photos, etc. are great for this type of kit.
Multi-Sensory Cart
More and more facilities are creating Snoezelen Rooms or multi-sensory rooms. You can bring the multi-sensory experience to the resident anywhere in the facility, whether it’s in a resident’s room, a corner in the hallway, the day room, etc. You do need a quiet area that can be darkened, however for the intervention to be most successful. There are several traveling-type Snoezelen carts, and multi-sensory carts available on the market now. You can also make your own by stocking a sturdy cart with aromatherapy supplies, soothing sounds, a water panel or bubble tube, a projector, flavored lip balms, scented lotions, textured objects, etc. Caution: be sure to securely mount bubble towers, water panels, etc. for they may tip over easily and create a big mess! (I know from experience).
Photomurals
There are various types of photomurals available on the market. Many of them can be placed on a wall or on some type of portable, rolling device. These murals are often scenic and are a great way to stimulate a resident, promote solace, spirituality and peace. Bedscapes Healing Environments are beautiful fabric photomurals with accompanying CD soundscapes. Bedscapes bring nature’s restorative benefits to the patient’s bedside for comfort, peace and relaxation and are a wonderful resource for individual and group activities. Murals can be attached to privacy curtains and walls.
Portable Fish Tanks or Aquariums
Some Things Fishy sells an aquarium on wheels called the Rolling Sea. It has some great features and can be rolled from resident to resident. Most facilities have a fish tank or aquarium in the lobby, and sometimes in the day rooms. Having a fish tank that is mobile can be quite simulating or relaxing for various residents. Consider a product like the Rolling Sea or ask the maintenance department if they can mount a small fish tank to a cart.
“Take Out” Cooking
Perhaps there is a resident that has enjoyed cooking or baking in the past, but doesn’t enjoy group activities. Well, bring the cooking right to his/her room. Many facilities have a toaster oven, convention oven, break machine, popcorn popper, waffle maker, blender, etc. These appliances are easy enough to put on a cart and bring to a resident in his/her room. Be sure to discuss with the resident what he/she would like to cook or bake and bring all the ingredients. You may want to try to keep the cook times brief though, unless a volunteer, staff or family member is available for safety reasons.
Traveling Tunes
Set up a cart with a variety of music, CD’s, cassettes, CD/cassette player, iPods or Walkman’s, headphones, etc. Visit residents who enjoy music. Be sure that you have the specific type of music that the residents enjoy. Traveling Tunes can also be done with live music such as a keyboard (on a cart), guitar, accordion, etc.
Trivia Contests
This is similar to the adapted physical game contest, but includes trivia questions instead. Give the resident a point for each correct answer and tally up the points. Give a certificate or trophy to the person with the most points.
The most important part is to create one to one activities and interventions that are of interest to each person. With some creativity and adaptation, most group activities can be offered on a one to one basis
Having a well-planned, well-researched program of one to one activities will help you greatly enhance the quality of life for your residents.
Kimberly Grandal, Founder and Executive Director of Re-Creative Resources, Inc., is a strong advocate for the field of Therapeutic Recreation and Activities, with over 18 years of experience in various management and consultant positions. She is an ACC/EDU and a CTRS and a member of NJAPA, NJ/EPA TRA, and NAAP. She serves as the Legislative Chair for NJAPA, and is an active member of the NCCAP and NAAP Government Relations Committees. She is a recipient of the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation 1997 Triumph of the Human Spirit Award and the NJAPA Power Player of the Year in 2008. Kim is a strong advocate for the profession and strives toward educating administrators and other leaders about the importance of the therapeutic recreation and quality of life activities.
Kim founded Re-Creative Resources Inc. in 2006 and provides seminars and for various local, state and national activity associations. She also offers lectures for Re-Creative Resources Inc. and provides online webinars. In addition, Kim provides consultation and support to numerous facilities in the state and nationwide and writes for numerous online sources. For more information, please visit http://www.recreativeresources.com
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