New Activity Grab Bags Inspire Residents To Share Meaningful Moments

Visitors at Annan Court can now use the Home’s new grab bags to inspire them to make the most of time they spend with their loved ones.

Activities Co-ordinator June Fitzpatrick hit upon the idea after chatting with Residents and Relatives and took action.

She designed the bags so each one relates to Advinia’s wellbeing programme for Residents. There are separate bags devoted to social, physical, emotional, cognitive and sensory (SPECS) activities.

Annan Court now has a dedicated hanger for the five activities grab bags, and June plans to rotate their contents.

June said: “It’s a good way to help Family, Friends and Care Colleagues to engage with Residents and have fun.

“Each bag contains items that people can use together and will stimulate conversation.

“I hope that those items will help people to create meaningful moments together and have some fun.”

Annan Court wellbeing bags

Each bag will contain items that relate to a different aspect of wellbeing so Residents feel the benefit.

The Social bag has cards, puzzles, dominoes, colouring books and pens, and pictures related to events happening this month.

There will be fidget balls, miniature skittles, inclusive games, and mobility prompts in the Physical bag.

Photographs depicting family scenarios, homes, and days gone by will be used to spark conversations in the Emotional activities bag.

For the Cognitive bag, June has added memory games, poetry and quizzing, as well as plenty of crosswords.

Finally, the Sensory bag will include bubbles, aromatherapy items, soft marshmallows and other items to stimulate the five senses.

June added: “The beauty of these bags is that they can be adapted each season.

“For example, I might add autumn leaves to the Sensory bag, or pictures of Summer holiday destinations to the Emotional Bag.

“I’ll be chatting to Residents and their loved ones to get their feedback and suggestions.

“We hope everyone will find these bags a useful resource for their visits.”