OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Activities Create Memorable Moments By Sara Wildberger
I
t started with the window visits. When faced with the hard realities of restricted visitation to prevent exposure to coronavi-
rus, residents and families got creative. By May, it was the new normal to enjoy
balcony visits (which my mother-in-law calls “Romeo and Juliet visits”) and happy hours seated in driveways (which my mother en- joys in her community). But activities directors got even more
creative in helping to ease the sting of so- cial distancing. In addition to helping keep families, residents, and staff connected virtu- ally on a host of different devices, directors have to come up with ways for residents to interact and stay healthy. “It's been really beautiful, seeing the vir-
tual chats and the families feeling connected and happy,” says Angel Allaire, regional vice president of engagement and training for The Arbor Company. “But it’s definitely busy.” Allaire is having many virtual chats her-
self, with engagement directors from the provider’s communities as well as with na- tional organizations for activity profession- als. “We’re staying connected and sharing ideas, sharing protocols, brainstorming, listening, being there for each other.”
Health and happiness Activities are more important than ever, to combat social isolation, missing families, the anxiety produced by the pandemic, and the sense of one day running into the next, which can be disorienting. The activity center for many has moved
to the open doorway, where, with masks on, residents can observe distancing rules. Arbor doorway activities have included remote car races and staff doing juggling and tumbling. They’ve also held Doorway Silent Dis-
cos—residents wear headphones connect- ed to the community’s music channel and dance in the doorways.
34 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE MAY/JUNE 2020 The “Honks for Hugs” parade at Watercrest’s Pelican Landing in Vero Beach, Fla. And some have set up a system where
children of staff members can call residents for a chat. "Some of them ask for advice, or help with their homework," Allaire says. Many communities have a “happy cart”
with treats, books, games, flowers, activities, and cards, to bring something unexpected into the day. At one Arbor community, the maintenance director gave a small indoor plant for each resident. Allaire sets goals and keeps count of vol-
unteer projects such as how many cards for children communities have made, turning it into a challenge. Communities also compete in trivia and other community-wide games. It sparks interest and motivation, but just as important, this provides another oppor- tunity to stay oriented in time, Allaire says. The pandemic has brought out new and
unexpected connections for residents, as the public seeks to let them know they care. Vir- tual birthdays have had visitors from around the nation. Neighbors put up encouraging lawn signs and window art.
Everyone pitching in Parades, which can provide an outdoor break, abound. Families, first responders, vintage car clubs, and even, in Texas, a sher- iff’s posse on horseback have paraded by. Window animal visits have included rescue
horses and dogs and even a therapy llama. Visiting groups have prepared “biographies” of the animals, to increase engagement. Celebrities, also practicing social iso-
lation, virtually popped in on a few com- munities. Seniorly’s Curtain Up! daily show presented a surfeit of Broadway talent, performing for seniors from their homes. And residents at Spectrum’s Enclave
at Round Rock hosted Oscar-winning actor and Austin, Texas native Matthew McConaughey, who along with wife, kids, and mom, called a bingo game via Zoom meeting. As often happens, once families, volun-
teers, and celebrities see how much fun it can be, they’ll be back—and this could open doors to more interaction, into the future.
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