More Than Just a Game!

Life Enrichment: It’s more than Just a Game!

Katie Westberg, C.T.R.S.
Director of Life Enrichment
The Goodman Group

When you walk into The Commons on Marice in Eagan, MN on a Sunday afternoon you will find an Ice Cream Parlor filled with 30 residents enjoying Bingo. It’s not unusual to see grandchildren sitting alongside of their grandparent, gently coaching them to victory, or to witness a volunteer patiently repeating the numbers that were recently called. Although Bingo has long been a favorite activity amongst residents in senior living facilities, the great news is “activities” now means so much more. Activity programs now offer a variety of life enriching experiences that focus on providing the individual with opportunities to experience success in all they choose to do.

Common activities offered include choices such as, Stretch and Flex, News and Views, Book Club, Craft Corner, Watercolor Expressions, Aromatherapy, Sudoku Challenge, a variety of outings, and much more. Activities are developed according to the unique needs, interests, and abilities of those residents who reside in each individual community. Although structure and routine are very important to residents, activities should change with them. It is the responsibility of the Life Enrichment Director to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the activities offered.

Trends in Life Enrichment are also quickly changing. Feed back on satisfaction surveys now shows us that individuals who live in senior living facilities do not rate their satisfaction on “opportunities to have fun,” that seems to be a given. Instead individuals are asking themselves, Do Life Enrichment programs offer residents with activities that provide a sense of purpose, as well as an opportunity to give back to the local community? And, do activities allow the residents to learn new skills? In an article put out by the American Association of Retired Persons in April of 2008 one individual summarized, “people want to form communities irrespective of distance, they want to be connected.”

Life Enrichment programs are quickly adapting to this exciting culture change by developing and implementing new and creative programs. Presently, you may find residents volunteering their time by reading to children of a local day care, assembling Viles of Life for the American Red Cross, participating in Veteran’s Club activities such as adopting a soldier who is currently serving in our military, as well as overseeing a food drive during the holiday season. Residents are learning new skills such as, playing the Nintendo Wii, email and browsing the internet, as well as learning Yoga and even sign language.

Although the day when Bingo is no longer a part of the activity schedule is far from near, senior living facilities can proudly say they offer much more. Moving into senior living, although never easy, should not make the individual feel limited but rather, that there are limitless activities and experiences offered. It is truly…more than just a game!