Our Diversional Therapy Team in the Care Facility plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for our residents by providing stimulating recreational activities and social interactions. They create tailored programs to meet the physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of residents. Through engaging activities
such as music sessions, games, discussion groups and outings, they aim to promote mental and physical well-being and reinforce a sense of belonging in their home. The team’s compassionate approach contributes significantly to the residents’ overall happiness, making them a vital part of the care team. Jessica is the lead Diversional Therapist, we asked her why social connections are so important for our residents and how the team works to support and grow the social connections of our residents.
“Sadly, loneliness can be common in aged care facilities and our team considers connection building throughout our planning, encouraging social connections through various initiatives and strategies. When a person first comes to live in the Care Facility we work closely with their family/whānau to learn as much as we can about them. It is so important to get a good rapport with the residents right from the start. By taking time to listen, learn, and build connections we can help get them settled and help them to know that they belong and that they are wanted.
“We organise group activities such as games, exercise classes and discussion groups that encourage interaction and camaraderie. We also encourage our residents to dine together, sharing conversations and bonding over meals. Recently we have started to take that a step further, and have established a group that goes to Redwood Café once a week for coffee. The coffee mornings promote a sense of belonging to the wider community and the interactions that the residents have on these outings seem to last. When they get back to the Village and take part in the next activity they recognise each other and resume chatting. It seems to build confidence where it might have been lost.
“Our team couldn’t function without the incredible support of our volunteers. They support activities, offer companionship, run the after-noon tea trolleys, and take residents out for fresh air and for walks with lots of chatting along the way.
“When volunteers come consistently, they are able to build a bond and our residents look forward to their visits. Many of our residents’ family members volunteer too, which makes the Village feel like one big family. It’s great for us because we have wonderful empathetic volunteers and the volunteers like it because they are contributing to the Village.”
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