By Kareen King, RDT
Person-centered care. It’s a growing trend in the long-term care industry. That is, accommodating residents in long-term care settings to make their own choices, eat when and what they want, and do what they want to do, within reason.
There’s a gentleman at one of the retirement communities I consult at. He’s not that interested in attending group activities and can often be found napping in his room. That is, unless he’s given an opportunity to get the heck out of dodge and go out for a spin through the countryside.
The other day I joined “Jerry” with a group of residents on a bus outing to a nearby town where my son lives. After driving around the city lake and stopping for ice cream at McDonald’s, I arranged for the residents to stop at my son’s home so he could bring his two affectionate dogs into the bus for the residents to pet and enjoy. Mission accomplished. Or so I thought.
Just as we were getting ready to move on, Jerry requested to see my son’s Corvette. Within minutes, you could see Jerry and the other guys’ faces light up as my son revved up the engine and pulled around the bus so everyone could get a good look. It was a “golden moment” that occurred as a result of the following ingredients:
- Spontaneity
- Camaraderie
- Originality
- Novelty
- Charity
- Generosity
The picture above captures the juxtaposition of two worlds that come together as one, even for one brief golden moment.
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. You may also signup for our newsletter and receive a free download.
