Embrace technology and boost the quality of your programs.
Yes, you heard that right! Of course, it's not suitable for all departments of a care home to be flashing around a cell phone, however my fellow recreation programmers, it is in yours!
By no means am I encouraging you to send your BFF a selfie of you with your`duck face` on the job! Yet, you should definitely explore some top-notch free as well as some paid apps out there that you can integrate into your new and existing programs.
I used to bring my own personal laptop to my former workplace for specific programs. It was a pain in the butt with the mouse, speakers, cords, and trying to locate an outlet where I could plug in when the battery was getting low. I was always one of those employees that kept my phone in my locker. True story! Gradually over time, my phone found itself outside of my locker and onto my activity cart. At first, it was mainly used as a camera, it was so easy to capture memorable moments quickly rather than fumbling around with a dinosaur of a camera we had. When running a trivia program one day, a resident asked me a question that I did not have the answer to, instantly my phone was an encyclopedia. It also turned into an oven timer, a fact-checker, a translator for non-English speaking residents, a stargazing tool, a means of communication when I took residents out for walks, news & weather updates, a stereo for my music trivia, fitness and meditation programs. There really is an app for almost everything! I must say, one of my favourites is Skype. Connecting a resident face to face with their friend or family member from far away is so heartwarming and valuable to both of them. Check out all of my favourites in the links below this article.
Unfortunately, not all co-workers or department heads will see eye to eye with this new style of program delivery and enhancement. Communicating with managerial staff the pros of how this technology will add quality to your programs and services is the first step. If there is pushback, create a cell phone policy specifically for your department outlining the how, why, when, and where the use of smartphones and similar devices will be used during an employee's shift and have the employees sign it. If your department has a stellar budget, purchase a tablet and kick in for a Bluetooth speaker to boot!
My Favorite Apps:
SiriusXM satellite radio https://www.siriusxm.ca Available for Android and iOS. All kinds of subscription plans and they have a streaming app for your phone with a paid subscription. Amazing channels, It`s commercial-free, and it's the best! 40`s on 4 and the Hallmark channels are some favourites. If I was going to splurge on a paid subscription app, it would be this puppy!
Insight Timer https://insighttimer.com Available for android and iOS. for meditations, relaxation music, spiritual talks. Free or premium paid subscriptions.
Spotify https://www.spotify.com Available for Android and iOS. I use this one for a `Name That Song`Program, play a short clip and get the residents guessing! Free and premium paid subscriptions.
Sayhi Translate https://www.sayhi.com Available for Android and iOS. A language translator. Free.
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca Available for Android and iOS. Great place to search for and keep your recipes for baking and craft programs. Free.
Night Sky for iOS is what i currently use. I believe I paid about $5.99 CAD for it a few years ago now. However, I have heard great things about Sky Map for Android which is free, Star Walk 2 Free for Android and iOS, they also have a paid one for $1.99 CAD.
Snapchat is available for Android and iOS. This one is fun if you're creative (I'm sure you are!), there are some good times to be had with the funny and strange photo filters here, especially if you print out the pictures you take. Resident photo collages and a Guess Who? game is always a blast! Free.
Skype https://www.skype.com available for Android and iOS. I prefer to use a big screen for this, some of us have not great eyesight and want to see our loved ones up close and clearly. Free.
I'd love to hear from you, what are your favourite apps you incorporate into your programs?
Drop me a line in my inbox goldenactivitysolutions@gmail.com or come join us over at the community forum.
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