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Activities, Adaptation & AgingPublication details, including instructions for authors andsubscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/waaa20

Computers and the Activity DepartmentCathy M. Sortais aa consultant/director, activities, Grays Harbor and HighlineCommunity Colleges, WashingtonPublished online: 25 Oct 2008.

To cite this article: Cathy M. Sortais (1992) Computers and the Activity Department, Activities,Adaptation & Aging, 16:3, 73-80, DOI: 10.1300/J016v16n03_09

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J016v16n03_09

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Computers and the Activity Department Cathy M. Sortais

ABSTRACT. The computer age is here-and nothing to be afraid of! Using a computer in the activity department can save valuable time and money. Residents can also benefit from using a computer, no matter what level of care they are at. By using a computer, resi- dents can increase communication skills, gain confidence, feel more useful, and express feelings of creativity. Computers are no longer the wave of the.future. Thcy are here now, waitin6 to be used to increase our production levels, and add to the quality of our resi- . dents lives.

How many of you use a computer every day? At home? Work? How many of you reading this are computer phobic? Well, just a few years ago I was too! It was decided, in the facility where I worked, to get a computer for several departments to share and it would go into my office. My assistants were very enthusiastic about it, but although I did not let my feelings show, I was SCARED! I graduated from high school just ahead of the big computer craze and ever since I have avoided them. After all, I worked with people so why should I need computer skills? To make matters worse,

Cathy M. Sortais, ADC, author ofthis paper, has been in the field of activities in long term care for the past eleven years. She has worked both as a consultant and as director of activities. She has attended both Grays Harbor and Highline Community Colleges in Washington, where she makes her home. She is available as a speaker on this topic and a variety of others. She wishes to thank Wesley Homes, 816 S. 216, Des Moines, WA 98198, for giving her the freedom 10 Iry this new and innovative program. Cathy is currently employed by Mother Joseph Care Center, 333 Ensign Road, NE, Olympia, WA 98506. 11 is a new facility scheduled to open May 1, 1991. Correspondence may be addressed to Cathy M. Sortais, 7328 Marvin .Rd. NE, Olympia, WA 98506.

Activities, Adaptation & Aging. Vol. 16(3) 1992 O 1992 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights resewed. 73

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74 ACTIVITIES, ADAPTATION & ACING

when the facility sent people to a basic computer course I was out on maternity leave!

The computer arrived shortly after my return. The class that my assistants had attended was a very basic one, so I knew that they would be looking to me for help with the computer. I decided that the only thing to do was to sit down and teach myself-and it worked! 1 want to assure all of you reading this that computers today are really very user friendly! I recommend starting off with a very simple program like Print Shop, so that you will have suc- cesses early on. Once you realize that it is not really so hard, you will have the confidence to tackle bigger programs. Much of the software on the market today is designed to help you learn and will guide you step by step through this process. Once I realized that I couldn't break the machine or erase all of the programs by pushing the wrong key, I was off and found many ways to make my job easier.

What are some of the things that a computer can do for your department? One of the biggest time savers that I have found is in doing calendars. When you use a computer instead of a typewriter, mistakes can be changed almost without any effort. On some pro- grams, once the basic calendar is programmed in, you need only change dates and special events. Put a calendar in each resident's room? Just tell your machine how many you need and it will print them for you. If you have a continuous feed printer, the computer can blow up you calendar to almost any size to fit bulletin boards! Making calendars used to take 112 of a day and now takes 20 min- utes! Because I have a color printer and graphics, the calendars I produce are attractive, colorful, and decorated with season or holi- day decorations.

How many letters, cards, and thank you notes do you send? Would you send more if it only took 30 seconds? Once they are put into the computer for the first time, it only takes seconds to change a few words to fit the person you are sending it to. The computer can store names and addresses and mail things to whomever on the list you choose. Again, you can send colorful cards and invitations out and no more costs for expensive greeting cards!

What activity director doesn't spend a lot of time making posters and banners? Now you can create professional banners, posters and

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signs, all colored and ready to hang in about 5 minutes! Another moncy and time saver.

Thcse arc just a very fcw of the many ways that a computer can assist you in your daily work. A few more ideas and software you may want to purchase will follow this article. I recommend that you start small with a few inexpensive programs and work your way up from there. I would say that you will get the most use from Print Shop, Calendar Creator Plus, Professional Write, and Word Per- fect. I also recommend adding Windows at some point. Windows will allow you to look at several programs at the same time.

Prices for computers vary greatly as do prices for printers. How much you spend is totally up to you and depends on how much you will use the machine and what you want it to do. Some less expen- sive machines will do everything a larger one will but they load things about 15 or 20 seconds slower. I have found that for my use, this was worth the moncy savings. I recommend that you get a color printer. While they cost a liltlc bit more, the time savings in not having to color things is significant. A good cornpuler store will be glad to sit down and go over prices with you. Be sure that whoever you purchase from is also willing to set up the machine and will be around in the future to answer any questions that might come up at a later date.

Now that I have shared some ways that computers can be of assistance in activity departmcnts, let me share with you the follow- ing paper that deals with just a few of the many ways that residents can benefit from computcr use. I wroie this paper in 1990 where it placed third in the Washington Association of Homes for the Ag- ing's "Call for Papers" contest, and also was a finalist in the Amer- ican Association of Homes for the Aging's "Innovation of the Year" contest.

NURSING HOME RGSIDENTS ENTER THE COMPUTER AGE

Many older Americans living in extended care facilities often find themselves feeling frustrated due to physical and emotional imoairments. Those of us who work with them are faced with de- veioping programs which enable them to regain physical skills as

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76 ACTIVITIES, ADAPTATION & AGING

well as their feelings of self worth. We have found that by teaihing residents to use a computer, not only have they increased their com- munication skills, but they also have gained confidence through learning new skills, feelings of creativity and usefulness, and a re- newed zest for living.

Mary is a slim, attractive woman in her 70's who walks with the aid of a cane. A widow with one son and several grandchildren, she has always been a very outgoing, social person. Having suffered a stroke seven years ago, Mary is unable to speak and write. She now lives on the assisted living floor of our retirement community. She attends many activity groups; however, she misses being able to communicate effectively with her family who all live some distance away.

Fred, a large man in his go's, is living in a nursing facility and is confined to a wheelchair. A bachelor who has worked as a welder, Fred has no close relatives. A stroke several years ago left him partially paralyzed and unable to verbalize clearly. Never a very social person, he did enjoy playing cards in his spare time. As a result of the stroke, however, he is no longer able to manipulate playing cards. Consequently he gets frustrated with himself and with staff members who try to help him.

Anna is a small, frail woman in her mid-90's. Her severe osteoar- thritis has left her at such a high risk of falling that she must live in the assisted living setting. A professional secretary, Anna never married. She has a few nieces and nephews who live out of state and correspond often with her. Alert and social, Anna becomes frustrated with her feelings of uselessness and she longs for the days when she was able to work and to assist others.

Here we have three different residents requiring two different levels of care and with three different sets of problems. What could help these three very different people whoare faced with three indi- vidual problems, and at the same time help other residents in our continuing care retirement community?

In November 1989, the activities, social services and pastoral care departments at our facility purchased a computer. Due to space constraints, it was placed in the office of the director of activities which is located on the assisted living wing. Within a very few days residents began dropping in to see how the computer worked. Most

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were interested in seeing how one of those "new-fangled" ma- chines could do all of the things they were noted for doing. Most residents had heard a great deal about computers but few had actu- ally seen them. Consequently, interest ran high.

About a week after the computer was installed, Mary came into the activity office and through gestures and signs, made it known that she needed a birthday card for her daughter-in-law; something the activity staff often provided. I sat her down beside me at the computer and told her that I would help her design her card. I loaded the Print Shop program and helped Mary choose the card's border, graphics, colors, and fonts. Happy birthday was written on the front of the card and the inside contained her special message. On the back we typed "Designed by Mary." When the card printed out, Mary had tears of happiness in her eyes. When her daughter-in- law received the card she was thrilled and surprised.

On the day after my experience with Mary, Anna came by my office and asked if she could sit and watch me work on the com- puter. She told me that she was a secretary and that her niece is too. According to Anna, her niece uses a computer all day instead of a typewriter and Anna wanted to see how it works. I had some signs to make, so she watched me make them. After I had made about five or six, she asked if she could study the manual for the program and learn to make signs for the staff. By doing so, she thought she would feel useful again.

It was their two combined experiences that started me thinking. Could a computer help solve some of our residents' problems? Would residents enjoy learning computer skills? Would it be used enough to make the purchase cost effective? How convenient would it be to transport nursing home residents to the computer? Was it feasible to use a n already heavily-used computer for resident use? After discussing my concerns and ideas with other managers and administration, i t was decided that we would purchase a special computer for resident use.

The facility's dircctor of business affairs took on the task of look- ing at different types of computers on the market. At first we thought we should purchase a lap-top model, but she found that the screens were not as clear, especially since so many of our residents have vision problems. However, we did want a computer that could

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78 ACTIVITIES, ADAPTATION & AGING

be transported from place to place. We settled on a portable com- puter, which came with a carrying casewith wheels. We also de- cided to begin with two simple programs: Print Shop and Card Games. In order to eliminate the expense of purchasing a printer, we made sure the newly-purchased computer was compatible with the printer in the activity office. The total cost of the computer, carrying case, additional hard disk, and programs was $1644. Do- nated gift funds were used for the purchase. -

When the computer was in place, Fred was one of the first resi- dents brought to the activity room to use it. The card games were loaded and he chose the game he wished to play. On the screen appeared ten players divided by "good players" and "not so good players." More information is given after you chose a player. For example, "1 am Mr. Riggs. I am an excellent player. I never cheat. If you play against me, you will probably lose." The game is played with the touch of a button. When Fred saw this, the corners of his mouth began to turn up. By the end of the game he was laughing at the other "players" and he was clearly enjoying him- self.

So many residents have gotten so much benefit from our com- puter. Fred is able to enjoy his favorite pastime once again; Anna can once more do things that allow her to feel useful; and Mary can now communicate more effectively with her family. Many other residents have also gained from this experience-from the interest in how the computer operates, from the enjoyment of the games, from feeling creative while using Print Shop, and from the confi- dence gained in learning new skills (see Figures 1 and 2). At first staff worked with one or two residents at a time. Now we are in the process of training volunteers to work with residents. As a result more residents will be able to use the computers since they will not have to wait for a staff person to assist them. The only problem we have encountered is that many residents want to use the computer simultaneously. Eventually we hope to purchase additional comput- ers and software as the program develops.

By continuing to investigate new and innovative ways to provide for the needs of our residents. we will continue to imorove the aual- ity of their lives and to increase their feelings of con4dence andself worth.

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C a t h y M. Sonais 79

FIGURE 1

Input to plans of u r n - MulU-dluipUnary communicnUaa. - Vertical Market SaRulam. WP, Utllitiu -

CbnrIhg r e q u h e n t s - Roprerr notes. - Word Prming. Utilities -

Raidenl prrliclpatlon words . . Elauonic SpMd ShaU -

Calendar of Events - Yrarly. Monlbly. Weekly. - Desk Top Publishing, WP, Print Shop. Wcndu CmtOr Plus

Newsletten. - Duk Top Publishing, WP - hfemonudums (memml. - D u k Tap Publishing. WP - h n e r r .

-Word Rowring. Print Shop - Thank-You Nata, Cards, h s i m t l o ~ ~ .

- Desk Top Publishing, WP, Print Shop - ,

Signs, Postem, Banners. - Pint Shop. Cord Draw -

Pcnonahd StPtionnry. - Print Shop, Draw Perfect -

Scheduling. - Calendar Cmlor Plu. Lonu Agenda -

LMs, I.e., Volunteen. Monlhly Blrlhdnys, ReUgion, Redour OccupaUom, Independent RerldenLs, Elc. - Vutical Market S o h a m , Word Pmcuring. Lotus -

AND MUCH MORE!!

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ACTIVITIES, ADAPTATION & AGING

FIGURE 2

WEAT CAN COMPUTER AUTOMATION W M R RESIDENTS?

B r vsmc COMPVTER PROGRAMS RESIDENTS CAN:

Learn new sklllr

Increase communicallon levelr

BuUd conlldence

Invoare orien(nUon

Build longer allenUon spans

hcrease leellngr of sell-wor(h

Re-learn losl &I&

Engage h plearan( psstimep

Conospond with lriendc sad family

hcwe band and eye coordhtion

Enbaoce crenldty

Gala leellngr or accompllrhmeot

Build se l fdeem

Inueare rnol(vation

Add conlidcncc

-TEE POSSlBRlTIES ARE ENDLESS!! -

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