Keeping engagement programs fresh

How would you define engagement for older adults living in our communities?

How would you define Engagement for yourself? Would you even define engagement for yourself? Does someone ever ask someone what type of activities they do or engagement?

Challenge the thinking that puts engagement in a box Program Challenge the thinking that puts activities or engagement programming in a box It’s important to think of activities or engagement differently – it’s not just Party planning Keeping people busy Booking entertainment Birthday celebrations and holiday parties Socializing

Engagement means creating experiences Experience is defined as an event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone So, i

Engagement means living

A strategic approach to developing experiences I Want to start with imaging the resident experience from the time of move-in Let’s shift our thinking to considering this as an experience vs. a program To me a program is optional, a resident can choose to step in and out of a program An experience happens as you walk through the doors. A strategic approach to developing experiences Imagine what a resident’s experience could be?.

Creating a successful strategy Know the story Find inspiration and innovation to redefine engagement Make connections a priority Embrace a spirit of adventure Engagement is a team sport Engagement Directors are leaders

Value of knowing who the individual is – what is their story We talk about individualized care and programming, but it starts with a true understanding of the story Beyond a checklist – it is the color commentary Who is the individual?

What’s your story? What is your favorite family tradition? Why? What’s special about it? What would you do if you had a day free of all responsibilities? What is one thing on your bucket list? Interview the person next to you Write the answers down, let the other person speak What is the value of telling your story? How did it feel to just tell a little bit about yourself What did you notice about the person when they were telling their story Notice that the answer aren’t typically found on a checklist of interests – but you have knowledge, you have data on who the person is – what makes them unique and what they enjoy This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

The stories are the inspiration, the innovation Once we have the stories, they become the inspiration for programming and engagement ideas Gone are the days where we just assume everyone is going to want to come to programs designed for “seniors” Now is the time to create experiences that are inspired by who people are, where they have lived, places they have traveled and dreams they have *Depending on room set-up allow small tables to brainstorm programming ideas for the people they interviewed – what will they enjoy when they move into a community one day based on what you have learned

connections enhance the experience The leader of engagement has greater influence when they have built relationships Residents connecting with each other and the “outside” world, creates a more enriched experience When every team member’s relationships can greatly impact the experience Talk about the block party mentality

Embrace a spirit of adventure to inspire a spirit of adventure in others

Life should be an adventure Adding something new to a routine schedule requires us to brave and bold Sell the value of trying something new Participate and learn with the residents Celebrate taking risk, putting ourselves out there Have fun

Create experiences as a team Set an expectation and make time for everyone to participate Engagement leaders should have a way to collect ideas from everyone – team members, families, residents Everyone’s story can be told Expect Engagement is a team sport – no one or two people alone can create the experiences and enough experiences needed to fully engage 50 individuals But when we work in concert together, we move great mountains – we provide great care, we prepare and serve great meals, we can also create engagement experiences Think differently about engagement as simply the activity directors’ job, think of this as a leader of experience Participate beyond bday parties and holiday celebrations

Engagement director is a leader Responsible for creating experiences Responsible for networking to connect residents to the outside world Strategic planning for experiences Innovation, creativity and adaptability The ultimate connector

Know the story Fun Lead Inspire & Innovate Connect Engagement is Living Know the story Inspire & Innovate Connect Lead Spirit of Adventure Fun Use a strategy Put engagement on the same level with every other component of the experience – it is equal to quality of care, culinary experience