A life of leisure

Fairfield Grange, Carinity’s newest seniors’ community, opened its doors to aged care residents in August. Now we’re busy building and delivering the services focused on the individual needs of each resident.

Carinity Regional Residential Manager Anne-Marie Cassaniti says diversional therapy is a critical part of building a seniors’ community where residents and family members are involved.

“Diversional Therapy recognises that leisure, play and recreational activities provide personal fulfilment, physical, psychological, social, intellectual and cultural support,” she says.

“The specific activities depend on the wants and needs of residents. For example, Carinity Aged Care – Clifford has many Italian-speaking residents so they have a fortnightly Italian Group. Likewise, at Carinity Aged Care – Shalom they love doing outings so you’ll often find them getting about Rockhampton.”

“Carinity Aged Care – Colthup in Ipswich has an art and a craft group filled with show winners. In Bundaberg at Carinity Aged Care – Kepnock Grove they have a live-in dog called Morgan.”

“The staff at our seniors’ communities are always looking for new ways to
engage residents. A volunteer at Carinity Aged Care – Brookfield found that many of the men loved cars. Through her connection to a vintage car club they organised a visit and all residents reminisced about their first cars,” she says.

Diversional Therapy is especially important for residents who have cognitive impairments such as dementia.

“We have dementia-specific activities such as art and music therapy. Chair dancing, which is when you move a resident’s wheelchair to music,is a common way to stimulate the mind through music and movement”.

This article appeared in the September edition of Belong.