Importance of engagement programs at senior living communities

Importance Of Engagement Programs At Senior Living Communities

When looking at the calendar for events and engagement at an assisted living community, what one hopes to see is a day filled with meaning. This means more than just activities to keep people occupied but rather activities and opportunities to stay engaged in their life in a meaningful way. Orchard at Brookhaven is a senior living community in Atlanta that understands this importance. Our engagement model is organized and designed to meet the needs of our residents in their different Groves, and are based on abilities and interests of the people who live here.

Tips For Reviewing Engagement Programs At Senior Living Communities

When reviewing an engagement calendar, look for the following types of opportunities:

Productive:

  • Ways to give back to the community
  • Opportunities to be involved in activities that are related to past roles and work
  • Activities that have specific outcomes such as building, cooking or creating a product.
  • Opportunities to feel important and respected
  • Educational opportunities
  • Fulfill a sense of meaning and purpose

Leisure and fun:

  • Ways of being engaged in activities that provide fun, creativity and laughter. This can be different for different people and so there needs to be a variety of options.
  • Outings
  • Crafts
  • Games
  • Group social activities
  • Play
  • Parties

Rest and restoration:

  • Ways to restore energy throughout the day
  • Traditional “down time” such as a nap
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Sitting on the porch
  • Listening to relaxing music
  • Aroma therapy

Health and Wellness:

  • Exercise that has been reported through research that gives the optimal amount of healthy gains is aerobic exercise
  • Aerobic activities such as walking
  • Options for exercise that takes into account differing abilities and likes
  • Tai Chi
  • Yoga
  • Dance

What To Look For On The Engagement Calendar

Another way to look at engagement is to see whether the options for filling the day with meaning and joy meet three other categories which include mind, body and spirit. An engagement calendar should be coordinated and designed to provide holistic wellbeing for each person who lives in the community.

When looking at potential senior living communities in Atlanta, take time to review the calendar of events. Is there something that will interest you or your loved one?  Will that staff work with you and your loved one to find the right flow of day? When looking at the calendar for Orchard at Brookhaven, you will find that the different options have an image next to the activity.  This is how we give you an idea of how our staff keep the day balanced for our residents.

Dementia & Engagement Programs

When someone is living with dementia, it will be even more important for the staff to get to know this person so that they find ways to support them in their day so that their day makes sense to them.  It will also be important for the staff to understand how each person likes to spend their day and provide the opportunities needed to make their day have meaning and joy. Make sure to take extra care and ask questions around the senior living communities approach to dementia care if you’re searching for a place for a loved one with dementia.

Our engagement staff are committed to providing a holistic approach when engaging with our residents. Please visit our engagement model page or contact us for more information about our approach.