In the world of elder care, the bonds between caregivers and residents go beyond professionalism—they are profound connections that shape life in senior living communities. The friends made in these communities hold a special place, and for those of us dedicated to elder care, their value is unmistakable. 

A Haven for Meaningful Connections

When we perceive senior living communities as small enclaves of remarkable individuals, these spaces transcend beyond mere residences. They become sanctuaries where a second family is discovered. The bonds formed between residents and caregivers are not just functional; they are integral, fostering genuine connections. It's through the commitment and dedication of the staff that an atmosphere is created, where these functional bonds transcend into meaningful friendships. This enrichment resonates emotionally and socially, creating a nurturing environment for both residents and caregivers alike.

Chair Yoga: Building Bridges Through Wellness

For caretakers, promoting well-being is key. Group Chair Yoga is an ideal bridge between physical health and community bonds. Beyond exercise, it fosters unity, with synchronized movements and collective breaths serving as conduits for meaningful connections, contributing to residents' physical health and catalyzing deeper relationships.

The Power of Shared Experiences

Group activities such as Chair Yoga for seniors provide benefits that extend beyond the physical realm. They create platforms for shared experiences, fostering community. For those in senior living communities, these moments are the heartbeat of caregiving, going beyond tasks to connect on a deeper level, reinforcing that caregiving is a calling to be present in lives entrusted to our care.

Discovering an old, new friend is a Valuable Treasure.

As caregivers, friends cultivated later in life in senior living communities are not just residents; they are individuals with stories and wisdom. These friendships enrich both residents' and caregivers' lives, contributing to a nurturing and fulfilling workplace culture.

Fostering Connections: Chair Yoga Classes as the Social Catalyst in Senior Living Communities

In the heart of senior living communities, my Chair Yoga video classes provide the perfect social setting for forging new friendships. Through shared experiences and gentle movements, we connect in synchronized breaths and laughter. These moments, rich with camaraderie, lay the foundation for lasting connections, showing that the beauty of friendship blossoms in the communal spirit of shared activities.

Blessings,

Sherry Zak Morris, Certified Yoga Therapist

Founder of Yoga Vista

P.S. We'd love to hear about the creative ways you're using RESTORE-Wellness. Post in the RESTORE  Game Changers, skilled-care professional Facebook group and let the world see your genius!

Transform how residents receive care all while streamlining workflow with RESTORE’s innovative platform. Click Here to schedule a RESTORE-Wellness demo.

Welcome, Activities Professionals, to the season of sparkling lights, heartfelt traditions, and global celebrations! Let’s curate a tapestry of activities that honor the richness of holidays this month. From Hanukkah to the final countdown on New Year's Eve, here's how we can bring the joy of worldwide festivities to our community.

Hanukkah: Spinning the Dreidel of Tradition

Immerse your residents in the rich traditions of Hanukkah with a themed game night. Play our holiday games and then travel to Jerusalem and take part in our Scavenger Hunt.

Introduce dreidel spinning competitions, and engage everyone in crafting sessions to make their own dreidels and menorahs. Set up a storytelling circle where residents can share their Hanukkah stories, fostering warmth and community spirit.

Christmas: A Carol of Joy

Transform your community into a festive Christmas haven. Organize a Holiday Sing-A-Long on RESTORE-Wellness and set the stage for a heartwarming karaoke night. On Christmas Day, cozy up for a marathon of classic movies. Ensure everyone feels connected by arranging video calls for residents to send festive greetings to their loved ones.

Kwanzaa: Weaving a Tapestry of Heritage

Embrace the cultural significance of Kwanzaa by setting up an educational and interactive "Kwanzaa Corner." Use Visit Familiar Places to explore the continent of Africa. Each day, highlight one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa through engaging discussions, storytelling, and displays.

New Year's Eve: Toasting to Togetherness

Play the different decades of Trivia Night and discuss where your residents where at that time. Ring in the New Year with a "Resolution Tree" where residents can hang their wishes for the year ahead.

Memorable Moments Throughout the Month

 Be Buddy the Elf Day:
Channel the infectious energy of Buddy the Elf by playing holiday games on RESTORE. Encourage residents to embody the joy and enthusiasm of Buddy, by using or creating red or green controllers. Screen the movie "Elf" and spread laughter and Christmas cheer throughout your community.

Holiday Tournament:
Get into the competitive spirit with a holiday-themed games tournament. Hae your residents select the holiday games. Learn and encourage laughter and teamwork, ensuring that everyone joins in the fun.

Christmas Eve Cookies & Games: Invite residents to roll up their sleeves for a cookie decorating contest, with a spread of icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter for creative expression. Pair this with holiday-themed RESTORE games for an evening of strategy, fun, and festive teamwork

Let's make this December a celebration of global traditions, creating a journey through the holidays around the world right in our community. Engage the senses, honor traditions, and most importantly, foster the joy and togetherness that define this time of year. Here's to a month of wonder, warmth, and worldwide celebration!

P.S. We'd love to hear about the creative ways you're using RESTORE-Wellness. Post in the RESTORE  Game Changers, skilled-care professional Facebook group and let the world see your genius!

Transform how residents receive care all while streamlining workflow with RESTORE’s innovative platform. Click Here to schedule a RESTORE-Wellness demo.

Game 1: Order Up

Brief Description:

Order Up is a game where players control a server to catch falling items in a specific order, using one or two controllers. It focuses on improving cognitive and physical coordination skills in a fun and interactive way.

Clinical Value:

This game enhances cognitive skills such as recall and scanning, and physical abilities like functional reach, balance, and mobility. It’s particularly effective for improving coordination and following directions.

Application in Therapy:

Physical Therapists (PTs): PTs can use Order Up to work on balance, functional reach, and mobility. It's beneficial for patients recovering from injuries or with movement disorders.

Occupational Therapists (OTs): OTs can utilize the game to improve hand-eye coordination, crossing the midline, and enhancing daily living skills like multitasking and quick decision-making.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): SLPs can use Order Up to help clients with cognitive-communication skills, including processing speed, following multi-step directions, and enhancing attention.

Game 2: Kitchen Mixin'

Brief Description:

Kitchen Mixin' is an engaging game where players select and prepare recipes from a virtual cookbook. It's designed to improve cognitive skills and simulate cooking tasks.

Clinical Value:

This game boosts cognitive skills like attention, concentration, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. It also improves visual scanning, eye-hand coordination, and range of motion.

Application in Therapy:

Physical Therapists (PTs): PTs can use this game to enhance fine motor skills and upper limb range of motion, as well as standing balance and endurance during cooking tasks.

Occupational Therapists (OTs): Ideal for OTs to develop cognitive planning for cooking and daily living activities, as well as to improve task sequencing and organizational skills.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): SLPs can focus on language comprehension and expression related to cooking, following recipes, and sequencing steps in cooking.

Game 3: Pill Skill

Brief Description:

Pill Skill is a game designed to mimic medication management by organizing pills in a specific sequence, enhancing recall and attention to detail.

Clinical Value:

This game is excellent for improving medication management skills, recall, scanning, functional reach, and attention to detail, key in cognitive therapy.

Application in Therapy:

Physical Therapists (PTs): PTs can use Pill Skill to assess and improve patients' dexterity and coordination, especially those recovering from hand injuries or with motor skill impairments.

Occupational Therapists (OTs): OTs can focus on fine motor skills, medication management training, and cognitive skills like planning and organization.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): For SLPs, this game is a tool for cognitive-communication therapy, focusing on memory, sequence processing, and problem-solving skills.

Game 4: Safely Home

Brief Description:

Safely Home engages players in identifying and resolving safety hazards in a virtual home environment, enhancing safety awareness and problem-solving skills.

Clinical Value:

This game improves cognitive skills like attention, safety recognition, problem-solving, judgment, and decision-making, essential for independent living.

Application in Therapy:

Physical Therapists (PTs): PTs can use this game to teach safe mobility and balance strategies in different home environments.

 Occupational Therapists (OTs): OTs can employ the game to educate about household safety and adaptive strategies for independent living.

 Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs): SLPs can focus on improving understanding and expression of safety concepts, as well as enhancing problem-solving and reasoning abilities.

 

Click Here to schedule a RESTORE-Skills demo and experience a facility-wide commitment to skill building. 

Already part of RESTORE-Skills? Then join Game Changers, the skilled-care professional Facebook group!