When we think about how residents spend their time in long-term care what comes to mind are usually images of residents sitting in large groups playing games or taking part in organized activities. However, moving into long-term care does not have to mean giving up on one’s interests or be limited by the ailments that bring one into the home. Cat’s story shows us that long-term care can be a place where residents can productively engage with one’s life, pursue their passions and find new ways to grow.
My name is Cat Omura and I’m a resident at Banfield Pavilion. I’ve lived here for 2 years…I think. It’s hard to keep track of the time these days. Time passes, but if you ask me what time it is, it is always “now.” It could be easy to just let the days go by, but I decided I wanted more than that. In October, the residents here asked if I wanted to chair the resident council and I said yes. I only wanted to do it for a couple of months but it has been 4 months and I am enjoying it. I used to chair meetings in my housing co-op so this was something that wasn’t that hard for me to do. Being chair has reminded me how much I like to mentor and empower others and get things done, and it has given me a purpose here in the home. In my role as resident council chair, I make sure that residents are able to say what they want to say about
any issue. More importantly I ensure that anything that is of concern is addressed, there is a timeline and that we get updates. My favourite part of being chair is actually trying to find someone to take over – empowering someone else and transferring knowledge. With support from Fiona, the Recreation Therapist, I am able to bring my experience chairing meetings and as a community service worker to the resident council. She helps in many ways, such as making meeting materials accessible to me. She even keeps me on track during the meeting with time keeping and next items on the agenda, but I don’t mind that. I want the other residents to know that you don’t have to be perfect to be the chair.
I believe that brain power is increased by doing new things. I have a lot of ideas about how to connect people and find ways to support each other. My next goal is to create more social groups in the home…maybe even organize a poker night. When I was younger, I used 
to be an activist. I would go on peace walks and charity walks for a variety of causes. These days I call myself a sedentary activist. My father once told me that happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you get and I’ve decided to live by that. Taking on the role of resident council chair at Banfield, I have found a way to do what is important to me, which is give back to the community.
needs-driven programming. Resident needs and preferences are the core of all programming, as Cat's story above shows. To do this, recreation therapy staff conduct a comprehensive recreation assessment when a resident moves in. This is a way to understand their interests, personal needs, strengths and barriers to participation. Instead of large entertainment programs which are often passive, the recreation therapy teams aim for smaller, diverse programs that allow for active engagement. The attached poster, created by the BC Therapeutic Recreation Association makes a case for why TR is needed in Long-Term Care. 
Innovation, can be used not just for reducing boredom and loneliness, but also as a way to find out the passions and strengths of our residents. From virtual travel explorations to arts & culture, this list of resources is only a starting point for understanding what brings life to our residents.
barriers that get in the way of their efforts to achieve well-being. The purpose of this article is to provide theoretical support, as well as practical strategies. You can view or download the article at the link below, or by using the QR code on the right:
