How to start a Leisure & Lifestyle Program for Aged Care

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Starting a Leisure & Lifestyle Program requires creative thinking and enthusiasm. Your main point of reference will be the assessment of your clients.

Find out what they like, what makes them happy, what sort of activities would make them feel included, what activities could potentially improve their self-esteem etc.

Also find out about their social past, their religious beliefs and their role in the family. If suffering from dementia, find out which stage they are at.

These days, the level of client functioning is so varied in most assisted living facilities that despite all that is said about ‘Person-centred care’ and ‘Holistic care’ it is almost impossible to cater for each and every one’s specific needs. For instance, most of the people suffering from Alzheimer’s would benefit enormously from having one-on-one attention from staff on a regular basis. However that is not always possible due to work related constrains. Still, you should always strive to provide the very best leisure and lifestyle program that you are able to.

The activities included in the Leisure & Lifestyle Program should ideally:

• Be meaningful, entertaining and inspiring.
• Compensate for lost abilities.
• Increase life satisfaction.
• Maintain current skills.
• Be culturally sensitive.

The key to creating meaningful activities is remembering that every activity you do has the potential to be meaningful and purposeful. Your attitude and engagement with the client in a caring and considerate manner makes it so.

A good Leisure & Lifestyle Program should include some physical exercises, sensory experiences and emotional and spiritual outlets.

As a starting point, there are a range of activities which have been tried and tested time and time again by other Recreation Therapists and Leisure Coordinators with very successful outcomes.

Start with a preliminary program for group leisure therapy and then slowly start taking into consideration your clients’ personalized views and wishes and incorporate these into the Program.

Here is a list of proven activities you could get started with:

• Group activities: Chair exercises, balloon games, Hoy, quizzes, cooking, craft, painting, dominos, bus trips, sing-alongs, happy hour, concerts, reminiscing sessions, skittles, carpet bowls, BBQs, videos, visits from children, gardening, church services.
• Individual Activities: Beauty therapy, walking, grooming, household chores, puzzles, listening to music, computer, special attention, letter writing, conversation, assistance with meals, visits, massage.

For ideas and inspiration check regularly on Golden carers for video demonstrations, art projects, quizzes, jokes, table and floor games, craft and especially calendar events and celebrations.

You may also check with your own colleagues. Drop in at another facility and ask to speak with the Recreation Therapist. Ask him/her what activities work best and then try them yourself.

Remember that only you, through trial and error, can find appropriate activities for your clients and determine realistic expectations for these activities. Use the weekly or monthly program templates available on our website and make sure to request a monthly budget from management for you to purchase the necessary materials on an ongoing basis.

Good Luck!

Here are some related activities and resources on our website:

• Dementia Program - Weekly
• One-on-one Visits
• Monthly Activity Attendance
• Balloon Games
• Sensory Activities
• Beauty Therapy
• Cooking
• Outdoor Activities
• Games
• Trivia

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