Settling in

As you and your loved one settle into the community, you may be looking for ideas on how to engage. The team wants to support you to continue to have meaningful connections and ensure you are making the most of your moments together. Remember, the Director of Resident Programs and the recreation team are here to support, so seek them out when you visit or give them a call if you are looking for guidance. Here are a few suggestions for engagement.

Experiences to Cultivate Happiness

Bring personal items from home to spark conversation, such as photo albums, memory boxes, or old letters.
Take moments to simply connect without a specific activity – you don’t always have to be ‘doing something.’ Enjoy the quiet, listen to music, hold hands, and be present.
Take advantage of virtual visits to connect with loved ones near and far.
Use sensory resources like sound amplifiers and magnifying glasses to enhance communication with your loved one.
Take a look in the “Meaningful Visit Kit” which has a variety of items including puzzles, games and books to enhance your visit with your loved one. Ask a team member where it is located in the community.

Please watch this video to see the “Meaningful Visit Kit” display at one of our long-term care communities.

The location and presentation of the kit may vary at your loved one's community. For more information, feel free to ask the Director of Resident Programs about the Meaningful Visits Kit available in your community.

Here are some additional resources to guide engaging activities:

Guide to Virtual Creative Engagement for Older Adults.
Go Wish Game

Making Memories Last – The Art of Legacy Work

Creating a legacy project with your loved one can make visits even more meaningful. A legacy project involves creating something tangible that tells a person's story. There are countless projects you can do together. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Create a scrapbook using old photos, recipes or other important items.
Write a list of life lessons and experiences.
Create a legacy video: Conduct an interview with your loved one and create a meaningful video. This can be on your phone or you can use a professional company. Here are some sample questions to get you started.
Create an Autobiographical Journal together: The Book of Me – A Do It Yourself Memoir.
Create a mold of your loved ones handprints - Family Hand Casting Kit.

Keep in mind…

Maintaining optimal health involves balancing physical, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual well-being. Here are ways to connect in each domain:

Physical: Support one’s personal fitness, nutrition, and self-care

Take walks together, practice muscle relaxation techniques, and stretch together.
Check out this collection of exercises incorporating Music and Movement from Heart Beats Club.

Emotional: Supports care through emotional crisis and stress management

Hold hands, listen to music together, and reminisce about special memories.
Connect through music by exploring songs from our Cultural Playlist. Listen together and share the memories and feelings they bring back.

Spiritual: Supports feelings of love and hope

Read passages from spiritual texts, meditate, spend time outdoors, and listen to or sing spiritual music.
Check out this series of short stories or mediations to support spiritual well-being.

Social: Fosters a sense of community; connecting with family and friends

Arrange visits from grandchildren or pets, plan special celebrations, and engage in social activities.
Check out these questions to stimulate conversation.

Intellectual: Creates a sense of pride through education, achievement, and development

Solve crossword puzzles, play Sudoku or word search games, read with your loved one, or write a poem together. Check out some of these online resources: