“Dear Jan, How can we involve bedbound residents in whole-home events? We are planning a few big things at the moment, like a Jubilee party next month. I want to be as inclusive as possible for my residents who want to celebrate but can’t join us physically.”
Safiya, Activity Coordinator
Dear Safiya,
Thank you for your question. This is one of the biggest issues facing ACs. It can be very challenging to ensure everyone gets involved, especially when there are important events such as the Platinum Jubilee.
You will probably be making decorations and bunting for your lounge. Talk to your residents who are physically mobile and able to take part in group activities, and explain how important it is to include the residents who are unable to leave their rooms. I’m sure your residents will be delighted to help think of ways to be inclusive, and it will give them a great sense of purpose.
Perhaps you could plant red, white and blue flowers in small containers or make flower arrangements in jam jars. These could then be placed on a trolley and delivered to residents in their bedrooms.
You could make pretty window decorations to hang in bedrooms too. Attach a tag saying ‘Hand-made by …’ to show that other residents are thinking of them.
If you have table decorations in the dining room, make sure they are replicated on trays in bedrooms. When you hold a tea party, make sure you have small doilies to lay on bedroom trays too.
You may have some residents who are unable to leave their bed but would enjoy taking part in the same activities that you carry out in your group sessions. Make up a kit for them to do whilst sat up in bed, so they feel as though they are taking part. If the resident is unable to physically carry out a craft, find a way for them to be involved. You could sit next to them and ask them to pass you craft items while you make it up for them. Make sure you are taking activities such as word searches, crosswords, colouring sheets and magazines into their rooms.
Many homes will be collating a Jubilee themed scrapbook. Make sure each of your residents contributes to this – even if it is a simple quote, such as ‘I saw the Queen once in 1958 when she visited our town. She was smaller than I expected.’ – Ethel. Once complete, allow residents to each have time to enjoy looking through the scrapbook on their own or with their relatives.
If you arrange for any entertainers to visit your care home, ask them to spend time with residents in their bedrooms (ensuring that they are accompanied by a member of staff), so that all of your residents can enjoy their session. Likewise, ask your volunteers to spend time with individuals as well as groups in the communal areas.
Best wishes,
Jan
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