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Coral avatar

What to do if people refuse to join?

Hey everyone I have a few people who are up for anything and sadly some would rather not be disturbed and do not want to enjoy the activity and make that super clear, I am finding it so hard with the people who do not want to do anything some I can’t force them to come along but I feel like they are being left out I don’t really know where I stand with this has anyone had this problem I’m going this alone so some people aren’t very able to do certain things and with a large group I’m limited to spilt myself in two :(

Susan avatar

Hi Coral

Unfortunately this is a common problem

I was always very good at getting people to go to activities

Have you read the articles I suggested before

https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-get-reluctant-residents-to-attend-activities/5980/

https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/9805/

What i found works the best is to tell them that their doctor wants them to go to the activity

Hopefully you can get the doctor to agree with you which he should

I find that asking people three times also helps specially if more people are off the floor

Also talk to their family about this perhaps you can get the families to come periodically and join them at the activity

Food is also a great motivator to get people to come to the activity

Most often serve the food at the end of the activity

Get other staff as your cheerleader for the activities especially if they have therapy because the therapist says that going to activities is good for them

Sadly some people just won’t come

Make sure they say they’re not bored because surveyors do not want to hear that word

Give them activities that they can do independently and maybe they can help you out

Complement complement complement is also very good

Perhaps your volunteers can help you out as well

Can you give me an example of one person who does not like to join in

Perhaps I can give you some strategies to help you out with this person

Make sure you mention what their interests are

Set a goal of attending one group activity per month and see if they can follow through

Sometimes religious volunteers can help them to go to activities

Hope to hear from you soon

It sounds like you are working hard

Another thing that works is to tell them your boss will get angry with you if you do not have them go to the activity

Also promised them a reward for going

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Nicole Bieshaar
Activity + Respite Worker Australia Flag
Nicole Bieshaar
It’s wonderful to see our clients so engaged with the puzzles and word searches. The trivia is especially popular and participants get a buzz out of getting the answers right. Golden Carers is our go-to resource on a weekly basis, and it’s rewarding to include it in our activity programs.

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