As a care home activity coordinator, you are in a prime position to learn more about the residents you work with.
These stories not only provide an insight into who each resident is but they also guide the creation of meaningful and enriching activities. A journal is a powerful tool to capture these moments and align them with the HELPS framework (Histories, Experiences, Lifestyles, Preferences, Strengths), ensuring every resident feels valued and understood.
Taking time to reflect and write about your interactions with residents offers several benefits:
Tailor activities to each resident’s interests and abilities.
Deepen your understanding of residents’ lives and build rapport.
Unearth inspiration for new activities by revisiting past conversations.
Maintain a record of preferences and feedback for future reference.
How to journal resident stories:
Start small by dedicating 5-10 minutes at the end of your shift or after a significant activity. Use the HELPS framework to structure your reflections:
HISTORIES
Write about residents’ personal and family histories.
Such as; "Joan Thompson shared that she loved attending tea dances in the 1950s. She mentioned a particular song, Blue Moon, that she used to dance to with her late husband."
EXPERIENCES
Note meaningful moments and past events:
"Jack's eyes lit up when we discussed cricket. He recalled playing as a bowler for his town team"
LIFESTYLES
Document aspects of their daily routines and preferred ways of living:
"Gloria enjoys starting her mornings with classical music and a cup of Earl Grey. She dislikes noisy activities before 11 a.m."
PREFERENCES
Capture their likes, dislikes, and favourite activities:
"Sue prefers seated craft activities over group games. She loved making paper flowers today and asked if we could do it again next week."
STRENGTHS
Highlight what they can do and celebrate their abilities:
"Although Jim has limited mobility, he enjoys sharing stories about his time as a chef and guiding others during our cooking sessions."
Turning insights into action
Once you’ve journalled, use your reflections to:
Plan themed activities inspired by shared histories (e.g., a 1950s tea dance for Joan).
Design one-to-one sessions based on individual preferences and strengths.
Collaborate with colleagues to implement new ideas, ensuring residents’ voices are central to planning.
A journalling example
Imagine you spent the afternoon chatting with a resident, during a painting session. Your journal entry might look like this:
H: Paul grew up in a town where his family ran a textile business.
E: He shared memories of creating patterns with his mother on fabric.
L: He enjoys structured routines and prefers activities in the early afternoon.
P: He loves anything related to colours and patterns but dislikes loud music.
S: His steady hands and attention to detail make him a natural at painting.
Based on this entry, you could plan a textile-pattern painting workshop, giving Paul a leadership role in guiding others.
Final Thoughts
Journalling resident stories through the lens of the HELPS framework is not just an organisational tool; it’s a pathway to more meaningful, individualised care. By understanding and reflecting on their histories, experiences, lifestyles, preferences, and strengths, you’ll create a nurturing environment where residents feel truly seen and valued.
Start your journalling journey today and watch how these small reflections can lead to significant changes in your care home activities!
A question for reflection:
Grab a note pad, or journal, and pen to start thinking more deeply about the work that you do.
After reading through the journalling approach outlined in the blog, how do you think implementing the HELPS framework could help you tailor your activities more closely to the individual needs and preferences of your residents?
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