- Resident participation in activities at a retirement home has recently declined, with attendance dropping in exercise classes and bingo. - To address this, the author conducted surveys and a diagnostic study to identify why participation was decreasing and propose solutions. - The surveys asked residents about their current activity participation, exercise habits, desired new activities, and mobility satisfaction.

1. Improving
Resident Enrichment
By Maria Champion

2. Background
• Holiday retirement prides itself on providing a care free resort style living
environment to its seniors.
• When Holiday Retirement was founded in 1971, it set out to create an
independent living lifestyle unlike anything seniors had ever experienced
before: cheerful communities filled with friendly, accepting neighbors, live-in
managers dedicated to the happiness and well-being of each resident,
innovative activities, programs and travel opportunities for fun and personal
growth, and all the chores and details of daily life taken care of.

3. The Holiday Lifestyle Layers
• Physical
• Emotional
• Social
• Intellectual
• Creative
• Vocational
• Spiritual

4. Decline in Resident Participation
• In the past 6 months resident participation has declined in almost every
activity.
• Exercise class went from 35 residents to 15
• Bingo had 20 regulars but over the past few months, their lucky if they have
10 participants.

5. Quantitative Analysis
• I choose diagnostic study to specifically narrow down why activities like
exercise has shown a significant decline in attendance and bus outings have
also seen a drop in attendance. Much like the 5 Whys method the diagnostic
study focuses on the “why” which not only can assist with identify the
problem as well to compose a possible solution.

6. Quantitative Analysis Cont’d
• The second quantitative measure I went with was surveys, I chose survey
because it’s a fact-finding study and a method of research involving the
collection of data directly from a population or a sample thereof at a
particular time. It must not be confused with the mere clerical routine of
gathering and tabulating figures. Surveys require expert and imaginative
planning, careful analysis and rational interpretation of the findings.
(Krishnaswami, O.R.)

7. Survey Questions
• Do you currently participate in any activities?
• Are you exercising regularly?
• What activities would you like to do that we don’t currently have?
• Are you satisfied with your current mobility?

8. Increasing resident participation
New Activities
• Show and Tell Fridays
• Movie Night Wednesdays
• Walk for your health Thursdays
• Monthly Ice Cream Socials
Incentives
• Ranch Bucks
• Monthly drawings for prizes
• One free outing per month

9. Conclusion
• It’s no secret that the key to being healthy and staying mobile as we get older
is to continue to maintain an active lifestyle. Holiday retirement has put a lot
of effort into ensuring that their residents are able to maintain an
independent lifestyle.