On this National Diversional and Recreational Therapy Day, Bupa has highlighted the inspirational work and dedication of its staff.
It’s National Diversional and Recreational Therapy Day and Bupa has celebrated some of its own specialised team.
Bupa Northhaven Care Home Diversional Therapist Jayne Weir recently returned from the National Therapists Conference in Auckland, where she won an award for her ‘Sea for All’ entry – an immersive solution for sea loving residents.
Weir came up with the idea of an adaptive sea chair after listening to her residents and, wanting to do more, she did something about it.
“It started with a conversation with a resident reminiscing about her love of the sea and how much they missed swimming. So, last summer…. we made it happen. We investigated and found that a local Surf Lifesaving Club has a specially adapted chair for the disabled. We then took a number of residents on the chair and they really enjoyed being immersed in the sea,” said Weir.
“This new outing has been incredibly popular. Many residents only want to go into the sea up to their waists but several enjoy going deeper and floating in the water. It makes such an impact on the individual’s mental and physical well-being. Empowering them to experience being back in the sea shows that frailty and age shouldn’t preclude activities from feeling inclusive.”
Weir said many of her colleagues were totally taken aback that she had taken residents swimming and she felt very proud to be able to share this knowledge with my fellow therapists.”
Bupa congratulated Jayne Weir, along with Rachel Gibson, Lyka Calara and Joselie Bucoy who all received their Diversional Therapy degrees at the conference.
Alongside Weir’s award, she was also acknowledged for her work introducing a Resident’s Art Exhibition, at Northhaven’s local library.
As a result of Art Therapy sessions, Weir wanted to spark more passion for the arts amongst residents, so she discussed holding an exhibition to showcase their work.
Art Therapy sessions increased amongst groups and individuals, adapting techniques to meet the physical and cognitive abilities of residents that included balloon painting, sponges, brushes, finger painting, glue and collage.
“For residents requiring more guidance due to cognitive impairment, we also introduced collage where they applied: flowers, petals, buttons, ribbons and fabrics into our ‘Tree of Life’. One resident’s embroidery was proudly displayed and it rekindled her passion for the craft. We were inclusive of all residents, some could only paint for a few minutes at a time but over several months they created some amazing art works.”
Family and friends were invited to visit the exhibition and it was so popular in the wider community it was extended twice, with more planned in the pipeline. One visitor’s comment read: ‘Dear artists, these works are beautiful. Thank you for inspiring us all to live life and enjoy what we do, even if we are in a Care Home. Amazing job.’
For Weir and Bupa’s diversional therapists, it’s affirmation that immersive activities really can help residents squeeze more out of life.
“Tobe acknowledged for making a difference to the quality of life of our residents and to now be registered professionals, is incredibly rewarding.”
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