Diversional therapy staff across Wairarapa meet every two months. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Diversional therapy plays a vital role in aged care across New Zealand.
From today until September 25, staff and volunteers will be raising the profile of their role through an awareness week.
Chairwoman of the Wairarapa Regional Support Group for Diversional Therapy Barbara Caffell said keeping aged care residents entertained and seeing the joy brought to their lives made the job rewarding, .
She said diversional therapists and recreation officers provided activities, programmes, social visits, and special activity programmes of choice to match the residents’ physical, and psychosocial changes in their golden years.
“It’s an integral part of running a rest home.
“Without us entertaining them, they’d just be sitting around doing nothing.
“It’s so great to make them laugh or see them be happy.”
“We look at each person’s life story and put together a programme that will suit them.
She said diversional therapy had come a long way from organising simple activities like bingo.
“In the morning, you might read the newspaper and do quiz, exercise programmes, or have groups that walk around the block.”
“Everybody deserves to have a programme that suits them as an individual.”
Wairarapa people who work in diversional therapy are invited to join the Wairarapa Regional Support Group for Diversional Therapy which meets every two months.
For more information, contact Faye Leveridge, of Carter Court, on 027 677 5143.
