Therapeutic recreation for seniors
We as administrators often fail to see the importance of the “activities” program. The first problem is we fail to see this as more than just “activities”. These are life enrichment tools that add value and give fulfillment to the lives of older adults. The enrichment programming in an ALF provides structure to the resident’s day and gives them different events to attend throughout the day. While the programming may differ from community to community the Arizona Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing has regulated the following to occur in every ALF:
- A manager shall ensure that:
- Daily social, recreational, or rehabilitative activities are planned according to residents’ preferences, needs, and abilities;
- A calendar of planned activities is:
- Prepared at least one week in advance of the date the activity is provided,
- Posted in a location that is easily seen by residents,
- Updated as necessary to reflect substitutions in the activities provided, and
- Maintained for at least 12 months after the last scheduled activity;
- Equipment and supplies are available and accessible to accommodate a resident who chooses to participate in a planned activity; and
- Multiple media sources, such as daily newspapers, current magazines, internet sources, and a variety of reading materials, are available and accessible to a resident to maintain the resident’s continued awareness of current news, social events, and other noteworthy information.
Top Takeaway:
- A calendar of planned activities is:
- Prepared at least one week in advance of the date the activity is provided,
- Maintained for at least 12 months after the last scheduled activity;
When planning a calendar of events or activities you are required to provide residents with a minimum of a weeks’ notice before the activity. It is suggested to have monthly calendars for the convenience of residents. When these calendars are developed you must keep them for a period of 12 months after the activity is completed. State surveyors will ask to review these documents and make you out of compliance if you cannot produce the calendar.
Pro Tip:
- Ask for input from your residents as to what type of activities they would like to see in the community.
- Provide incentives for residents to attend events. You could give them ‘community name’ bucks to spend in a community store
- Build buy-in from all staff members to promote healthy activities of residents