Getting the most out of life

The BlueCross leisure and lifestyle program enhances the quality of life for our residents. We believe activity and social engagement promotes health and wellbeing, and provides our residents the oppotunity to have fun and enjoy the day. 

To do this we consider what the resident wants to do and then we do our best to cater to their needs. We talk to the residents about:

• What are their interests / hobbies?
• What are their physical, cognitive and sensory abilities?
• What is their background – where did they grow up, did they work, did they go through a war or depression?
• Do they have spiritual, religious or cultural preferences?
  
• Do they want to be sociable or prefer their own company?
• Do they need emotional support?
• What are their community involvements such as senior citizens, Probus; participate in a club, etc?
• What is their family network like?

The lifestyle programs across BlueCross embrace the STARFish principles. This asks all staff to:

• Be there
• Make their day
• Choose your attitude
• Have fun

We provide a variety of activities from large groups, small groups and individual activities.

• Large groups – cater to residents who are interested in similar kinds of activity or social event, for example entertainers, speakers, presenters, exercise groups, bingo, craft and active games. Or it can be an event that brings people together across several residences to interact and socialise, like our Dancing With The Stars event celebrated in 2009 on International Day of the Older Person.
• Small groups – would cater to more of a speciality need for example – crosswords, quizzes, wood work, gardening, walking group, outings and more.
• Individual one to one’s – cater for the person who would prefer not to join group activities. Our leisure and lifestyle staff will cater to the individual need of the resident.
  
• We can also provide staff from our community care unit to take residents out to appointments or activities.