IDEAS for a Better Visit

CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE PAGES      

IDEAS for a Better Visit contains information on topics ranging from what to do on a brief visit to communicating with residents who have communication or hearing difficulties. In addition, it offers conversation starters, gift ideas, and information about visiting with children. 

Informative resource available to facilitate successful visits with residents of long term care facilities. Many people are reluctant to visit long term care facilities. Visitors often struggle with what to say or do during a visit at a nursing home. Many family members have told us that visiting can be a challenge and often they are relieved when it is time to go home.

The IDEAS Institute, a non-profit research and education organization, has recently developed a booklet to provide visitors to long term care facilities with tips on visiting a friend or family member. The goal in this project is to support successful visiting experiences and to increase resident visitation. The booklet was developed through a grant from The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, which has also funded distribution of IDEAS for a Better Visit to Cleveland area nursing homes.

IDEAS for a Better Visit makes an excellent gift for someone who has a loved one being admitted to a long term care facility, for someone who is taking a job in a setting where they are working with older adults, or a volunteer who spends time visiting older adults.

HOW TO USE 

• Include a booklet in your admissions packet
• Use the booklets for discussion starters in your family support groups.
• Consider having new staff members read the booklet as part of their orientation.
• Have staff pick a topic for a weekly meeting then encourage them to share some of the techniques they have found to be most effective.

Use the booklets as a marketing tool by purchasing them in bulk and have your facility information included on the cover.  

 TO ORDER

Any questions contact IDEAS Institute
8055 Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094   440-256-1883

(Mention you learned about this product from Communication Connection)

IDEAS FOR A BETTER VISIT ALSO AVAILABLE AS PART OF A

CONVERSATION STARTERS KIT

(3 PRODUCTS - $25)

IDEAS for a Better Visit (for 2 copies) Helpful ideas to better prepare anyone visiting a senior especially in a long term care residence.    

Sharing Stories – Recall…Go Back in Time  Enjoy sharing one of your memories or listening to someone’s story using the 100 conversation starter words or topics organized in a handy spiral-bound booklet with brightly colored cards. Start anywhere and pick either side of the card and let the reminiscence begin. Keep a set to use as a conversation starter when friends or family visit, take it when you travel, give it to someone who lives in a senior residence, use at family gatherings, give it as a gift or share with someone who works with an older adult. Sharing Stories provides an opportunity to facilitate the communication and connection between residents of a senior community and their friends, family, as well as the staff. SAMPLE PAGES  

So What Do You Think???? Talk, Talk, Talk  These combinations of 150 thought-provoking and sensitive questions are a fun way to elicit conversations. Great topics for all ages! Each card contains 3 very different questions offering choices. Keep them handy on a table for when you have visitors. Use it for group activities at a senior center or residential community, at family gatherings, when traveling or as a mealtime conversation starter. Learn more about each other and yourself each time you use the cards. Create a journal and record answers as a way to share your many stories.

SAMPLE PAGES

 
CATALOG to order conversation starter kit and

INTERGENERATIONAL KIT