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Aug 28, 2010

Studies show visitors, volunteers make a difference in residents’ lives

Studies show that skilled nursing center residents who receive frequent visits from family and friends greatly benefit from the interaction. They are happier, more content, and they tend to participate in more center activities. But many family members are unsure of what to say or do with their loved one during their get-togethers. What follows are several tips to consider when planning a visit.

First, think about what you will do when you visit your loved one. To make the visit seem less like a “duty,” think about the things that you used to enjoy doing together before he or she became a resident. This will help generate ideas that will come in handy during your visit.

If you both enjoy reading, bring along a favorite book or magazine, or bring a jigsaw puzzle and start it together. Your loved one also will appreciate photos of your family, children’s report cards, school projects and even videos of family events.
When possible, try to bring your children or grandchildren along. Children bring spontaneity and a welcome change to the environment of a center. Studies show that even people who are unrelated to children find joy in seeing them in public places.

Second, think about putting together a memory book to make your loved one feel more at home in his or her new surroundings. Reminiscing is a great way to connect with your loved one.

The movie Fried Green Tomatoes, based on an award-winning novel by Fannie Flagg and released in 1991, is a great example of how much fun reminiscing can be. In the movie, a nursing home resident is befriended by a visitor. Throughout the movie,  the visitor is empowered by the stories that she hears of life in Depression-era Georgia.
Later in the movie, the audience discovers that these stories are actually events that happened in the resident’s life. The movie shows that both the young and the old benefit from each other’s company.

Third, remember during your visit that you are your loved one’s link to the outside world.

Help him or her stay connected with the community by bringing the local newspaper and discussing different topics. Keep him or her involved in what is going on in the community by talking about current activities that are happening at church and school.

Fourth, volunteering at the center where a loved one lives is another way to become involved and become acquainted with the staff.

“A lot of our family members are volunteers,” says Staci Kratzer, administrator at Good Samaritan Society – Gibbon.  Volunteers participate in bingo, help the residents get to different activities, eat with residents, walk with them and help them participate in group activities.

“You see a big difference in the residents who have family support compared with those who don’t. It’s a big bonus to a resident to have that,” says Staci.

If family members are involved in a loved one’s life, changes are easier to handle. Family involvement also helps a resident adjust more easily after he or she has moved in. Care providers know that sometimes a visit from a loved one is the best therapy.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do with your loved one is to take him or her on trips outside of the center, including going for drives, visiting your home, going to church, shopping or eating lunch together. Going somewhere different can be refreshing for both of you.

Learning to make your visits count will bring you and your loved one many blessings.

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