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Last month, we looked at four innovative long-term care programs that received awards from ICAA (International Council On Active Aging). As promised, this month I’m featuring even more award-winners.
Do you see something you might like to initiate at your own facility? Great! I’ll include a link to each site, so you can contact the organization directly for more information.
Fragrance in Frames
Touchmark in Bismarck, North Dakota received an award for their Fragrance in Frames program. This involves combining essential oils with paint for art activities.
During 1:1 painting sessions, colors and scents stimulate the senses and help evoke memories for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As one example, a resident might paint a holiday picture. Oils with the scent of holiday foods may be added to the paint to promote discussions of positive holiday memories. Other oils promote a sense of calm or provide an energizing effect.
Staff report residents experience increased attention spans, decreased agitation, and increased socialization as a result of these art sessions. Due to the success of the program at the Bismarck location, the program has expanded to Touchmark’s other communities in several states and Canada.
Wellness Works
Believing that employee wellness is essential to promoting resident wellness, Freedom Senior Management in Sarasota, Florida developed the Wellness Works program. Led by a Wellness Champions team, staff receive education and resources to promote healthy living. The goal is to help employees “achieve the highest level of well-being in mind, body, and spirit”.
A few of the wellness benefits offered to employees include an annual wellness fair, free gym memberships, wellness challenges, and employee lunch menus with healthier food choices.
Gourd Fest
Alexian Village in Elk Grove, Illinois received the ICAA award for their gourd growing program. Beginning with planting the seeds, residents take responsibility for all aspects of caring for the gourds. This even includes hand pollinating the flowers and training the vines to climb on trellises.
In the fall, the residents celebrate the harvest with a community Gourd Fest. Activities include gourd crafts, musicians, artist demonstrations, vendors, and the sale of dried gourds.
Creating Community
Staff at Casa Dorinda in Montecito, California observed that their residents often felt anxious when they needed to move to a higher level of care. At the time, their 3 care communities (independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care) essentially functioned as separate entities.
To help ease the transition for its residents, the facility consolidated all activity staff into one team. The staff then worked to develop activities such as trips, events, and art programs that include residents across all 3 care levels.
Now when a resident needs to move to a higher level of care, seeing familiar people and participating in familiar activities helps them feel more comfortable. Staff also note that activity participation in all 3 care communities has increased since the program was implemented.
Do you have an award-winning program at your nursing home that you would like to share with my readers? Please let me know in the comment section!
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