Our programs are designed to enhance residents’ psychological, physical, social, cognitive and spiritual well-being and quality of life. Research conducted by Caruthers and Hood (2007) found that having opportunities for “positive affect, emotion and experience on a daily basis and cultivation and expression of one’s full potential including strengths, capacities and assets” were two of the most defining characteristics of well-being.
Here are some of the many benefits of our programs:
- Helping residents foster, appreciate and extend positive emotion.
- Immersing residents in the joy and satisfaction of anticipating, living and reminiscing about their leisure experiences.
- Supporting residents’ engagement in leisure experiences that reflect personal strengths, interests and abilities.
- Creating opportunities for residents to experience “flow” (immersion, involvement and enjoyment in an activity) and ultimately to support the ongoing development of skills and capacities.
- Helping residents engage in leisure experiences that allow them to use their strengths to make a contribution to the world in some way.
Here are some examples of programs:
- Meditation and Movement
- Reminiscence Therapy
- Music Appreciation
- Enjoy biographies about musicians, groups, musicals and plays. Residents reminisce throughout the program and have opportunities for relaxation as well as engagement through music.
- Montessori Madness
- Fun with Drums
- Drama Club
- Workshop Club
- Getting to Know You Social
- Pet Visits
- Opportunities to enjoy sensory stimulation, reminiscence and feelings of connection and belonging through visits with friendly animals and their owners.
- Bingo and Board Games
- Exercising cognitive and social skills while playing Bingo or other board games in an enjoyable setting.
- Russian Group
- Poetry Group
- Reading poetry and quotes related to a fascinating theme. Discussing feelings, emotions and reminiscence related to the poetry theme.
- Senses Alive
- Celebrate a theme or topic and share memories and emotions while stimulating the senses.
- Baking Groups
- Engage in fun group baking sessions and reminisce about favourite dishes to cook or bake.
- Gardening
- Enjoy a past hobby/interest or develop a new interest in plant care and creative uses for plants. Tasks include plant selection and placement for planting, pruning, watering, picking, drying and flower arrangement. An opportunity for sensory stimulation through tactile, visual, olfactory and gustatory senses.
- Residents’ Advisory Council
- Open to all residents of the home, this council provides a confidential forum for residents to express their thoughts and feelings and collectively problem solve issues related to life in the Apotex.
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Creates an immersive virtual experience. VR can help reduce social isolation and support psychosocial wellbeing.
- Scent/Aroma Therapy
Please click on the links below for more information about Therapeutic Recreation and Culture & Arts at Baycrest.