Hi Ron The most successful activity I have seen for our male residents is cooking breakfast, eating it together and cleaning up. We have an OT kitchen. The ambience approaches what I imagine happens in a hunting lodge. It lends itself nicely to different levels of ability and is easily adapted for more or less setup and assistance by staff. They really appreciate being able to have eggs cooked exactly as they like them. Joan
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Arceneaux Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 10:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [OTlist] Geriatric Men and Lack of Sociialization Hey Ron, I find that at most ALFs and nursing homes the activities departments are good at offering interesting things for the women to do, but lack in their attraction to men. Face it, Bingo is not a top of the list for most men. I have seen one nursing home that hired a group that brought a large pool that was stocked with fish. The men were all over this. The other thing is that men, in general, socialize as part of engagement in more material matters (i.e. standing over an ice chest of fish and telling fishing jokes.) Women, in general, socialize for the purpose of socialization. They tend to comunicate on a deeper level then what is typically observed of men in a gathering. Just my two cents. Hope its worth at least that. Jim Arceneaux susanne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Ron Carson wrote: > Hello Everyone: > > I provide OT and an ALF. It's a 33 bed facility that is > mostly women but > has about 5 or 6 men. Some of the men have been here for > years. They are > in varying states of physical and mental health, but > they are all able > to participate in life. BUT, they don't!! The women > get together and > chat and socialize, but the men stay so isolated from > each other. WHY? Maybe their idea of participating in life is to do something outside of the place where they live, sleep, eat - and with someone else? Like, they went out to work all their life - they might still want to spend some of their day somewhere else? > > I know that I am not an overly social person. I > don't hang out with > other men just to talk. In fact, I'm uncomfortable in > social situations > that don't have goals. I'm with you about the goals - and I guess some of us prefer them more visible, or physical... But I also have a picture coming up for me of Turkish cafés filled with retired men, playing backgammon, smoking and drinking tea (or Raki) all day long. And students of both sexes, with books and laptops, spending all day in the cafés that have free refill of coffee. Lots of chatting and socializing going on.. > > Is the lack of male socialization just part of the > male condition? Or > has the right opportunity just no presented itself > to bring the men > together? 5 or 6 is not a lot - might not appear to them that they have much in common. But maybe if they went different places during daytime, they'd have something to discuss at the end of the day - or would like to tell the ladies about their day. Any possibilities in the local area? Or just outside - some hens to look after and a nice bench to hang out? susanne, denmark -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] **************************************************************************** ********** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************** ********** --------------------------------- Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] **************************************************************************** ********** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************** ********** No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.28/1021 - Release Date: 9/21/2007 2:02 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.28/1021 - Release Date: 9/21/2007 2:02 PM -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
