1. Art Facilitation: Nursing Home 2. What they Offer Nursing Home Care: Is a purpose-built facility combining care and a home environment for those no longer able to live alone. A full spectrum of individualised care is available for residents of the 54 private and semi- private rooms. Independent living facilities offer residents the independence of their own home with the reassurance of the nearby nursing home facilities. These 14 units are ideal for those who are independent but may need support on account of mobility or medical issues 3. Background of Facilities Opened in February 2001 on the edge of ------------ Town Two male Owners with 20 years experience Have three other centres- in Ireland. Offer Long-Term Care, Nursing Care, Respite Care, Dementia Care, Day Care, Supported Living. At the core -passionate, experienced and motivated staff, Palliative Care, housed in a purpose-built premises and equipped with the optimum level of facilities located at the heart of communities, providing residents with continuity between their new home and the one they are leaving behind. 4. Services Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy Chiropody Hairdressing Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Massage. Music Therapy In house mass service In house activities such as bingo. GP on call 5. Specialist Care Dementia Unit Fact: Roscommon has the highest rate for Alzheimer's in Ireland and yet has the fewest services to offer. The nursing home has a dementia unit that cater for an increasing number of men and women who are developing the early or late stages of Alzheimer's or dementia. (1 of 54 in Ireland) Acknowledged in Document by The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC), Dublin. (Specialist Care Units for People with Dementia in Ireland: A Guide for Family Caregivers and Health Service Professionals) 6. My Facilitation I emailed the manager to ask permission. I met with the manager to discuss what I would/could do. Decided on a Christmas theme to make decorations. On her request I drafted up and forwarded on a proposal on my activity. I had to gather materials and prepare some days in advance. The Activity had 4 participants with different levels of mobility. None of them had dementia. 7. Materials used Paper glue Glitter scissors thread Pencils pencil colours Pre-sprayed silver branches paint brushes, music Newspaper Music in background 8. The Sparkly Branches I first got to know the participants names, 4 ladies! Explained who I was, what I was doing, the activities and materials. The time allocated was 1 hour They began to do the first activity which was to add glue to branches which were previously sprayed silver. (For safety and to dry) Once this was done we added glitter and put them to one side to dry This created a wintery look and could be placed in their rooms in a vase or freestanding with battery operated lights for affect 9. The Christmas Decorations The second activity was to make Christmas decorations to hang on the little trees. I had bought card stars and foam balls (to make baubles). The participants used glue, stick on gems, glue on diamantes, glitter and glitter glue to decorate their pieces. A carer and I had to help a few of the participants as their upper body was stiff and they found some aspects such as gluing on small gems difficult. After the activity I pierced the holes in the decorations and placed them on the trees ready to be taken to their rooms. 10. The Results 11. Learning Points It was interesting to see the enthusiasm of the participants. They stated they had not done much artwork like this as children and they found it relaxing. The participants were interacting very well with one another in general discussion, asked questions about the activity, looked for help, joked and had fun. One lady stated her mother used to bring in branches and do something similar with wax when she was a child. Two of the participants had poor mobility. One had a bad hand and the other bad shoulders. Their movement was slow and they needed help with small materials but they used their fine motor skills. 12. Limitations Space was an issue as there were 4 at a small round table it was tricky to paint the trees so I had to put on most of the glitter at the side and leave them to dry in the corner. I was allocated an hour because it was tea time at half four however I ran over the time. Because the table was small the glitter went everywhere but this seemed to be a talking point for the participants. 13. Evaluation Overall I was thrilled with the enthusiasm and interest in the activity by both those who partook and the staff. I was happy with the idea although It would have been better suited to a more spacious environment. Putting on the glitter was complex because I had to do it over the basin, I had to put on the majority of the glitter. This activity may be better for people who can move between work areas. One lady was a wheelchair user, another used a stick and a third a walker. The duration of the session was not long enough I definitely needed the hour and a half as you cannot hurry elderly people who may have slower movement or stiff hands etc. Although I knew my way around the home due to familiarity I found the activity to be challenging preparation and facilitation wise.