The Challenge of Creatively Engaging Nursing Home Residents

Several years ago I had the opportunity of touring a long-term care community. It was a busy, bustling environment well on its way in the journey of Culture Change. Enriching activities which were facilitated by "Life Engagement" assistants were offered throughout the day, staff wore street clothes, dogs and cats were allowed to wander amongst the residents, and so forth.

Eventually I was directed to a large living room area situated adjacent to the lobby where I was invited to participate in a Lifeline Interpretation activity which was facilitated by "Megan," one of two Life Engagement assistants. I soon found myself seated with a group of approximately ten residents who were seated in a semi-circle of couches and easy chairs. Adjacent to our seating area was another seating arrangement where one could see a contented gentleman sprawled out on a large couch,

Megan handed out to each resident black and white photo copies of two figurines, a man and a woman, who were dancing at a fiesta. The copy was a bit blurry, but the essence of the experience was there.

Megan then went through a series of questions designed to elicit responses from the participants. Very few responded, nor looked engaged. The scenario resembled that of a traditional classroom in which an instructor quizzed rather than connected emotionally with the students. She functioned as more of a presenter, than an engager.

Once I was seated, a female resident stood from her seat, walked over to me and handed me her photocopy.

“Oh flitter flutter,” she said as she handed me the paper, “I don’t have any use for this.”

She proceeded to return to her seat while another resident attempted to supply her with a new picture.

“Oh, they’re all the same,” she responded, then sat down.

Beside her was a rather cynical lady, I call Martha, who appeared to be very disinterested in the whole experience.

“I can’t tell one thing from another,” she remarked.

“Use your imagination,” Megan coached.

“O.k., use your imagination, Martha quipped.

While Megan continued her questions, several distractions were occurring. Employees carried on conversations of their own in the back of the room, the two young greeters raced into the space with their maracas shaking noisily, a large dog wandered into the space, a nurse was making loud beeping noises with an instrument of sorts, and the list goes on.

The frustration was evident on Megan’s face as she politely requested one of the employees to “use your quiet voice, please,” and later shooed the young boys away.

Megan’s remaining attempts to engage the residents seemed futile as they began commenting on the pictures amongst each other.

“Doesn’t even look like she has a bra on,” on lady commented on the female dance figurine, “Just floppin.”

“Can’t tell he has a top on,” another added about the male figurine.

“Doesn’t make any difference,” another said.

“Waste of time,” retorted Martha.

Clearly frustrated, Megan apologized, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She then paused before adding, “How can I make it more interesting?”

Nobody responded.

By then the exercise had dissolved and Megan began collecting the papers. Not knowing any other options on how to bring closure to the experience, Megan concluded with a quick, “I love you,” to the group and whisked away to assist a volunteer musician who was having difficulty setting up the music stand on the grand piano on the other side of the living room.          

I was not convinced that transformation, engagement, or connection was evoked from the experience. Furthermore, the residents had little time to soak anything in before immediately having to switch gears to a musical performance that began within minutes of the activity.

Engaging nursing home residents can be a challenging experience at times because of the many variables involved. The following link which was recently featured on The Today Show, however, shows how one woman has discovered a method of creatively engaging residents that has proved successful. For information on the how residents with dementia can benefit from a group storytelling process called Time Slips, click:

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45435491

Kareen King is a Registered Drama Therapist and founder of The Golden Experience, offering keynotes, concerts, and workshops to enrich lives in long-term care. For booking information, contact her at kking@thegoldenexperience.com or visit www.thegoldenexperience.com.