Wow, Talk about Imaginative! Check Out These Responses from Our March Raffle Question!
When it comes to doing social activities with clients, VNS Health Home Health Aides are incredibly imaginative! From playing “Name That Tune” to telling jokes our HHA team members sure know how to engage their clients in fun social activities.
In all, more than 280 Home Health Aide team members responded to our March raffle question: “Do you have any tips for social activities you like to do with your clients?”
The Big Picture:
Of those who participated in the March raffle question…
- 89 team members (31%) said they enjoy playing games (board games, card games, dominos).
- 59 team members (21%) said going for a walk is their favorite activity.
- For 48 team members (17%), listening to music and singing topped their list.
- Going to the park was the top choice for 38 team members (13%).
- Another 37 team members (13%) enjoy having conversations with their patients.
Three $200 Prizes: We took the names of all the HHA team members who participated in the March raffle question, put them together, and drew three names at random. The three winning team members who each received $200 are Amarilis Mosquea, Cecily Myles, and Yeta Perez.
Here are just a few of the fun social activities VNS Health HHA team members do with their clients:
Aissata Diarra: “Our favorite activities together are going to the library to get books and putting together puzzles at home. We always have fun.”
Ira Lipson: “I have an Alzheimer’s patient who remembers lyrics to songs he grew up with. At each visit, I bring my Bluetooth speaker and select playlists of his favorite music groups from the 1970s and 1980s. He loves groups like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and Journey. When I play these groups, the client and I sing together. I believe this helps my client with his confidence and mood. I know this activity is a source of bonding for both of us as well.”
Leslie Florio: “I play music and dance with my patient. When I make jokes and act silly, the patient laughs. Even talking to my patient (she can’t respond) makes her happy. Personal interaction is key to a happier, healthier patient. Plus, it makes a better care experience for the HHA.”
Paula Churaman: “Every Friday I like to give my clients a manicure to get them ready for the weekend. They love seeing the different colors of nail polish that I put on their nails, but I enjoy looking at them admiring their nails even more.”
Rosa Barrientos: “We watch the ball games, we laugh a lot when his teams win, and he has a good time. I am very creative: I always do something and say something that makes him happy, and I always look for ways to make him smile.”
Antoinette French: “I like to play ‘name that tune’ with my patient and listen to calming music. Or, if I take her out, we walk around the community and admire the local businesses or the homes and their gardening.”
Cindy Chen: “My patient was a professional dancer when she was younger, and she loved painting with a Chinese brush as well. When she has a lot of energy, I put on the classical music that she loves, and we dance together. Sometimes, I ask my patient to teach me how to paint with a Chinese brush, which motivates her since she is being so useful and needed.”
Sobeida Kevelier: “One thing I do with my clients is light weightlifting. I take two vegetable cans to exercise the upper body. I make it fun by playing some music!”
Patricia Delince: “My patient loves to feed the birds. When it’s nice weather, I take her to the park . . . it’s a joy for her.”
Brianna Seda: “On Wednesdays I help my client log onto the self-help virtual senior center so we can watch a history lecture and then have a discussion about it with other people from around the city over Zoom.”
