From the Activity Room to Everyday Care: Making Engagement a Team Practice
An engagement kit can be useful during a scheduled activity. It can also become part of the wider daily routine when staff know where it is, how to introduce it and what each person prefers.
That takes a shared approach.
For senior living and adult day teams, the practical question is: How do we make these tools accessible and usable across the team?
Choose a few opportunities to begin
Start with one or two points in the day when staff can offer a hands-on activity comfortably.
That might be an individual visit, a small group or a quiet period between scheduled activities. Offer participation as a choice and allow people to decline.
Beginning with a manageable routine helps the team learn what works.
Make access and cleaning clear
Decide where the kits will be stored, who will prepare them and how staff will know they are ready to use.
Follow the Geri-Gadgets® Washing Guide and your organization’s infection-control policies.
Establish responsibility for cleaning and returning the pieces.
A tool is easier to incorporate when staff can find it and understand the process.
Teach staff how to begin
A useful demonstration includes how to offer a choice, allow response time and adjust the activity.
Staff can practice introducing a Flower arrangement, exploring a Fidget Gidget® piece or creating a pattern with Shapes.
Training should also make room for individual preferences, supervision needs and signs that someone wants to stop.
Share what you notice
A brief note can help the next team member: “Preferred arranging Flowers alongside another person” or “Chose two Shapes and explored independently.”
Concrete observations are more useful than assuming everyone will respond the same way.
Geri-Gadgets® combines SafeTouch™ silicone sensory engagement kits with Activity Guides and Train-the-Trainer support to help teams establish a consistent approach.
Visit geri-gadgets.com or contact us to discuss kits and training for your community.
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