Empowering patients through Diversional Therapy workshops
As a Diversional Therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how diversional therapy activities can empower people living in residential care. Our activities aren’t just ‘busy work’; they’re carefully planned ways to counter boredom, lift spirits and help people make new friends. This is especially important when people are dealing with big life changes like loss of independence and mobility, and having to move into a care home. Depression can be a big problem for new residents whose lives have been turned upside down, making them feel vulnerable and purposeless.
We make sure our diversional therapy programmes include a variety of activities so everyone can find something that suits them. Working with the others in the healthcare team, we try to build suitable activities into individual healthcare plans so everyone’s needs, as outlined in their individual care plans, are being addressed. Diversional therapy activities are great for helping people feel less lonely and for alleviating some of the stresses of illness, relocation and the challenges of ageing.
Not everyone is ready to jump straight in. Sometimes, a person who doesn’t want to join a big group will start by just having morning tea with a couple of people. Once they get to know a couple of other residents, they often join bigger groups and become part of the wider community, engaging in group activities, going on outings and keeping each other company at mealtimes. You’ll even see residents inviting – and sometimes helping – each other to activities. This is the transformative power of diversional therapy in action.
Diversional therapy isn’t just about socialising. Physical activities keep people moving and are also good for boosting their mood. Other activities help to maintain motor skills, memory and cognitive abilities. Participating in these therapeutic activities is a win-win situation. I’ve watched people who were once unsure about moving into residential care become much more confident and happier once they got involved.
Sharing their stories in our sessions helps people build confidence and connect with others by talking about their lives. We also run activities that are good for emotional and social wellbeing like quizzes, sing-a-longs, pet therapy, visits from children – or even just talking about the old days with the help of everyday items from the past. Trying new things and using new technology can also give a real sense of achievement and is a core part of our innovative diversional therapy approach.
For instance, there’s Bill who had never played Bingo before he came to us. Now, he loves it and comes to every game. It gives him friends, something to think about and a bit of healthy competition. Bill’s journey is a fine example of how we’re empowering patients in healthcare.
Every day, I see how diversional therapy gives people more control and joy in their lives. It’s not just about the activities themselves; it’s about creating a space where people can learn new things alongside others and feel engaged and connected. Our diversional therapy activities offer a chance for skill-building in a fun environment. The real proof of how well our programmes work is in the smiles and laughter of the people we help, when our workshops have served to give them a new sense of purpose.
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