Member Profile:

Josephine

Lifestyle Manager From Victoria, Australia


81 Comment

Josephine 6th Mar 2016 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Layda, we created a sensory corner - a small nook in the nursing home that was not being used. Luckily for us one of the resident's family member gave us their father's large flat screen tv to use - we set it up on the wall and have a DVD attached - we have 3 people that need a calmer area to stay in and this is perfect. Over time we have put in two comfy tub chairs, a coffee table, lava lamps and now our two budgies reside there two. We have included some plants too. We are able to turn the lights down and it is quite calming despite the corridor behind our residents. Families are now using this area to sit with their loved ones to spend time with them - all of high care needs. I have downloaded some sensory style pictures with music from Youtube e.g. nature - slow moving flowers and buds opening with classical music etc. This seems to work well for us. Like everyone else, Lifestyle is always on the smallest of budgets - most we just put the call out for donations and look at op shops - you will be amazed what you can find. At the moment we are putting Fiddle boxes together for people to assist them in keeping engaged and busy.
Josephine 21st Feb 2016 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Patricia - are you able to host a High Tea with the purpose of Getting to Know You. You will find clients will be looking to get to know you as well - you can let people know some of the subject matter that Solange has highlighted - this will assist others to then talk about themselves - nothing like a good cuppa & cake to start the conversations flowing. I have done this with new Lifestyle assistants and this has worked quite well. See if you can get old tablecloths to put on the table too - get the whole atmosphere going. And if you have photos of your family / pets etc you can copy and hand around.
Josephine 21st Feb 2016 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Sylvia, I looked up if there were any Irish Dance schools in my area a few years ago and contacted a dance school who put me onto one of the others groups - end result we have children come to dance for half an hour in their traditional Irish costumes for half an hour. We have connected with this group each year over the past 3 years. I also do a Pick a Box type of quiz game - download well known facts about Ireland - type up and put in envelopes - put large black numbers on the outside of the envelope and then I put them up on a board (we use our whiteboard - put strings from one side to another and then pin them) - I also put a green lollypop inside it.
I then have a basket with corresponding numbers - each resident takes a number that corresponds to the number of the envelope and we have a did you know, or can you guess. Alot of fun - I give the envelopes to the residents to open - I find the majority of them keep the envelope as it gives them the ability to open up a letter. A double whammy affect.
I have been able to go onto Youtube and download Karaoke Irish Songs - we have Karaoke whilst eating green iced muffins & green drinks etc.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Josephine 8th Dec 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Planning a Movie Night for the Elderly

Thanks for some of these suggestions. We have held a couple of movie nights and they have been incredibly popular with our guys and family members. We incorporate a group to make rounds of sandwiches and muffins as we pause half way (for toileting etc) - and have these for supper.

We did a fundraiser for a charity and put on Calendar Girls - this went down really well ! Another one is The 100 Foot Journey. I have been told that the Australian film Oddball will be a good one - true story of a Dog protecting Penguins.

I have been asked by our residents to hold movie nights more often so that is in our plans for 2016. Hence some of the suggestions above will definitely come in quite handy !! Thanks



Josephine 6th Dec 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Whenua, if you are able to find out what type of music your residents have enjoyed in the past. Background music that our residents find helpful is classical, but we are incorporating music that our residents have in their rooms and that family have brought in. This has assisted us - of course we ensure that CD's are labelled appropriately.
Josephine 2nd Dec 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

I would organise a meet and greet, possibly over a morning or afternoon tea, with people from an Over 55's village and find out what they like to do or their wish list - this will give you something to go by, these individuals will have ideas that you can formulate into providing various activities and possibly have a lot of help getting things going too. It is far different than being with people of 80+ and save you from any disappointment in introducing an activity that people of this age group simply do not want. If you are in Australia, do they have a U3A group? Hope this helps.
Josephine 24th Nov 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Carol,

I purchased the large fluffy dice for cars - got them in one of those $2.00 shops. I find that these are soft enough when thrown and will not injure someone and easy enough to handle.
Josephine 1st Nov 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Julie,

Ooh have not been on my internet for awhile. The majority of our residents are none ambulant however does not matter - all are seated - including the ambulant guys to reduce falls. I do a semi circle, seems to work best so that everyone is facing the same way and can see everyone - plus the whiteboard is behind me. At times I will do a half hour gentle seated exercises and then move onto the Big Bobs, that way I find that some of the group who are not that interested in the exercises will come along and stay for the Big Bobs. Cheers Jessie
Josephine 26th Oct 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

HI Golden Carers - Like the new look of your site !
Josephine 26th Oct 2015 Lifestyle Manager

Forum

Hi Benita,
Wondering if you could commence growing herbs in pots for your resident. As a previous chef she would have cooked with fresh herbs, this will give her a purpose in growing herbs / vegetables. Can be used for sense of smell and other sensory aspects. Check out music from her youth, can the family help out here? Look at some Montessori activities via the internet - speak to Alzheimers Australia in your state, they are very helpful. Hope this helps somewhat. Jessie
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