1. Keeping engagement programs fresh

2. How would you define engagement for older adults living in our communities?

3. How would you define Engagement for yourself?
Would you even define engagement for yourself?
Does someone ever ask someone what type of activities they do or engagement?

4. Challenge the thinking that puts engagement in a box
Program
Challenge the thinking that puts activities or engagement programming in a box
It’s important to think of activities or engagement differently – it’s not just
Party planning
Keeping people busy
Booking entertainment
Birthday celebrations and holiday parties
Socializing

5. Engagement means creating experiences
Experience is defined as an event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone
So, i

6. Engagement means living

7. A strategic approach to developing experiences
I Want to start with imaging the resident experience from the time of move-in
Let’s shift our thinking to considering this as an experience vs. a program
To me a program is optional, a resident can choose to step in and out of a program
An experience happens as you walk through the doors.
A strategic approach to developing experiences
Imagine what a resident’s experience could be?.

8. Creating a successful strategy
Know the story
Find inspiration and innovation to redefine engagement
Make connections a priority
Embrace a spirit of adventure
Engagement is a team sport
Engagement Directors are leaders

9. Value of knowing who the individual is – what is their story
We talk about individualized care and programming, but it starts with a true understanding of the story
Beyond a checklist – it is the color commentary
Who is the individual?

10. What’s your story?
What is your favorite family tradition? Why? What’s special about it?
What would you do if you had a day free of all responsibilities?
What is one thing on your bucket list?
Interview the person next to you
Write the answers down, let the other person speak
What is the value of telling your story?
How did it feel to just tell a little bit about yourself
What did you notice about the person when they were telling their story
Notice that the answer aren’t typically found on a checklist of interests – but you have knowledge, you have data on who the person is – what makes them unique and what they enjoy
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

11. The stories are the inspiration, the innovation
Once we have the stories, they become the inspiration for programming and engagement ideas
Gone are the days where we just assume everyone is going to want to come to programs designed for “seniors”
Now is the time to create experiences that are inspired by who people are, where they have lived, places they have traveled and dreams they have
*Depending on room set-up allow small tables to brainstorm programming ideas for the people they interviewed – what will they enjoy when they move into a community one day based on what you have learned

12. connections enhance the experience
The leader of engagement has greater influence when they have built relationships
Residents connecting with each other and the “outside” world, creates a more enriched experience
When every team member’s relationships can greatly impact the experience
Talk about the block party mentality

13. Embrace a spirit of adventure to inspire a spirit of adventure in others

14. Life should be an adventure
Adding something new to a routine schedule requires us to brave and bold
Sell the value of trying something new
Participate and learn with the residents
Celebrate taking risk, putting ourselves out there
Have fun

15. Create experiences as a team
Set an expectation and make time for everyone to participate
Engagement leaders should have a way to collect ideas from everyone – team members, families, residents
Everyone’s story can be told
Expect
Engagement is a team sport – no one or two people alone can create the experiences and enough experiences needed to fully engage 50 individuals
But when we work in concert together, we move great mountains – we provide great care, we prepare and serve great meals, we can also create engagement experiences
Think differently about engagement as simply the activity directors’ job, think of this as a leader of experience
Participate beyond bday parties and holiday celebrations

16. Engagement director is a leader
Responsible for creating experiences Responsible for networking to connect residents to the outside world Strategic planning for experiences Innovation, creativity and adaptability The ultimate connector

17. Know the story Fun Lead Inspire & Innovate Connect Engagement is
Living
Know the story
Inspire &
Innovate
Connect
Lead
Spirit of Adventure
Fun
Use a strategy
Put engagement on the same level with every other component of the experience – it is equal to quality of care, culinary experience