Not only does a full calendar of activities bring residents in the door and boost their quality of life, it helps soothe family members, and allows them to feel like a placement decision for their senior loved one was the right thing to do.
My friend and colleague Steve Sarine has been running highly successful senior communities for the near-20 years I’ve known him. One of his primary operating philosophies is that a full-blown, razzle-dazzle, life-enhancing activities program is a necessity in senior living – (backed up, of course, with quality supportive care).
Relieving Guilt
Not only does a full calendar of activities bring residents in the door and boost their quality of life, it helps soothe family members, and allows them to feel like a placement decision for their senior loved one was the right thing to do.
“Many prospects approach our communities after doing their best with caregiving. Maybe they’ve done it and just can’t do it anymore. Maybe they have four kids or work and just couldn’t do it. Maybe Mom or Dad just won’t comply. Whatever the individual circumstances, they almost always feel frustrated, overwhelmed and, of course, guilty,” Steve said.
“After placement, they’re looking for validation that they did the right thing,” Steve continued. “Those first few weeks are critical. If mom or dad is not happy in senior living, it can feel like Chinese water torture. But if they have plenty to do, don’t feel confined to a room, meet some like-minded people – usually by participating in activities – and are happy, then the adult children can feel good, too.”
Places to Go
Since becoming Executive Director of Golden Pond retirement community in Sacramento a little over a year ago, Steve has had a unique opportunity to put his principals into practice. He and Activities Director Lupe Ramirez have converted a number of common areas into places residents can go inside their community.
Residents now have purposeful destinations where they can enjoy each other’s company much as they did while living at home. For example, Golden Pond now boasts an Irish Pub (just opened on St. Patrick’s Day). It’s a quiet little corner upstairs fitted with a bar and stools. At the end of a busy day (actually any time of day), residents can amble up for an O’Doul’s or other non-alcoholic beer, soft drink or apple cider, conversation, and a game of darts. Alcoholic beverages are served at special occasions and monitored by staff.
For those who golf, there’s a four-hole putting green replete with pro shop. Or residents can head to the casino-like bingo hall for a rousing game or two. They also can choose to hone their artistic talents in classes at the artist’s studio, or spend the afternoon at the movie theater.
“I’ve worked at Golden Pond for ten years,” Lupe said, “and I’m just so happy to do this for our residents. I’m thrilled to see my vision come into being. It makes such a difference. For example, we have tripled the participation at our family bingo nights and increased involvement in all our programs. The turnaround is visible and the energy is really positive.”
In addition to an already full and lively activities program, Golden Pond also has tweaked a number of activities, based on resident input, to make them even more appealing and relevant, including the following:
- Each month performers from the Sacramento Theatre Company present scenes from their current repertoire
- Residents select a course a month from thegreatcourses.com and meet three times a week to study with professors from Harvard and other first tier universities
- Night Owl Club member exchange phone numbers and have a place to meet as well as refreshments when they’re just not ready for sleep
- Guest meals served family-style can be arranged in the private dining room; staff sets up the buffet and leaves so residents can enjoy time with friends and family with no involvement from staff
- Through the Adventure Club, independent residents are assisted with coordination to go fishing, enjoy an air show, take the train to Reno, or set out on other quests
The team at Golden Pond continues to develop and consider recommendations for other unique activities that can put a little more life in residents’ days.
What about your community’s activity offerings, are you doing anything distinctive?
Pam
