New Geri-Psych unit opening Monday..

[HAWKIRN]

Hey all,

I have been in orientation the last week and a half, and have developed a close relationship with my fellow staff members in that amount of time. We open on Monday(only psych unit for approximately 90 miles..)however our recreational therapist gets married SATURDAY has next week off for her honeymoon, and starts 'officially' the following week. This is her first job outside of an activities coordinator position in LTC, as we are all very young, and she is slightly having a meltdown(mostly wedding related/first 'big girl' job/extreme life milestones) and she's such a beautiful person inside and out. She is wondering about activities for the patients to participate in. She has thrown out several activities she has used in the past, but is doubting herself. I am looking for any and all suggestions of actives we could implement into our new unit to benefit our patients in the best way possible..I told her I would help research while she was gone to help out her at ease(so someone please help?). Thanks so much in advance. PS..14 beds inpt. max.

[Penholder]

Welcome to Geri-psych!

Activities: we get mileage out of baking, reminiscing and laundry folding (brightly colored towels work best).

My quick hint for Geri-psych is HAALTT-P. When some when someone is escalating are they hungry, angry, been ambulated, lonely, tired and toileted. The P is are they in pain. Nurses are prettygood at assessing that-but CNAs not so much. I created this off the rule of never shop when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired. This works for LTC etc as well.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Many of the activities she did at LTC will cross over to Geri-psych... how do I know? Ex activity director turned CNA on a geri-psych unit, turned RN on an acute, adult psych unit that takes geri patients. Music group was good, we play "volley ball" with a beach ball type ball, crafts, bingo, a dice game using oversized dice.

[Penholder]

Mandy touches on great ideas. The more sensory based the better! I've even been able to engage a crowd with ballon ball!

And if you have people that like word searches, highlighters make it easier than a pen and with more color.

[WillyNilly]

Before starting a group, do a potty round and snacks/coffee/drink pass. Fill a tray with drinks and misc snacks. Ask each if they need to use the potty, if not ask about a snack. Tag team the snacks and potty with another person. Thennnn proceed. You will have more attention if everyone has peed and are fed.

Large print word searches can be printed free from google as well as coloring pages. Plenty of crayons or markers in fat sizes for easy grasp. Plenty of playing cards. Beach balls or balloons to toss the ball for exercise. Daily reminiscing or current events while they wake up. Trivia cards such as old trivial pursuit cards are fun too. Movies such as older ones or themed around holidays -A wonderful life, etc. Music therapy. Some use internet radios for multiple channels with a portable speaker.....sing along if you know the words! Orrrrr use soothing lullaby style to do chair yogas.

A lot of this can be done with or without her there. When she is there, she may be able to do craft items or focus groups with more 1:1 attention. Hope this helps.

[WillyNilly]

This may sound dumb BUT never put your mouth on inflatable equipment at work. You can use almost empty oxygen tanks to inflate the rest of the way. Have seen others mouth chair pads to beach balls, etc.

[HAWKIRN]

Thank you for all the suggestions!!! I can't wait to share these with fellow staff and start making this unit as best as we can! Thank you all!