With decorations to be hung, residents to be transported and calendars to be planned, finding time to expand the variety in your one on one room visits can be limited. Residents who prefer to stay in their rooms should have just as much variety and range of options as the more active residents within your community.

Here are three examples as to reasons why an individual may require a one on one room visit, and some suggestions on how to plan visits according to their needs.

•  Preference to stay in their room: Some residents just prefer to stay in their room. Your first step should be to find out what they like to do and why they prefer to spend most of their time in their room. If they are more independent and pursue some form of leisure activity independently then offer to join them for additional socialization. Maybe try taking a walk outside if the weather is nice or going through a family photo album and give them time to share stories and reminisce.

•  Lack of interest in Activity Programs: If you find that you have a resident that doesn’t seem to be interested in any programs that are being offered, or just seems to not have an interest in much of anything, holding a simple conversation based upon anything they have on their mind can be just enough to offer stimulation. Often time’s simple conversation can lead someone to open up enough to share interests and things of importance to them. For example, if you see that they prefer to read the newspaper or a book, ask them thought provoking questions about the things they are reading and get their insights on certain stories.

• Limited to In Room Activities due to an Illness or Medical Diagnosis: If you have a resident that is bed bound, try offering sensory stimulation programs. Sensory programs can range from audio books, music, massages, and videos (if televisions are available) and even having certain aromas such as Lavender or Vanilla to fill the room. The great thing about sensory programs is that you can often times do multiple senses at once.

Here is a list of other program adjustments and ideas you may be able to do that can assist in catering to more of your individuals on your room visits.

1. If you have musical performers or singers, see if they would mind walking down the halls and singing a song before they leave, and stopping by the doorways of your residents who are provided one on one room visits.
2. If you have a picture day, take the props to the residents room and offer that they participate in the comfort of their own room.
3. If you have a gardening club, have some of your resident’s plant flowers and have them delivered to the residents rooms. (Never be afraid to utilize other residents or volunteers to assist in helping with your room visits.)
4. If you are hosting a trivia style game that is divided into teams, suggest that the final answer be answered by a resident who is in their room.
5. If you have a party or special event, take a plate of food and extra decorations to the resident in their room, then follow up a few days later with pictures of the event. (Doing so may entice some to attend the next special program.)