Centers Makes News… and Writes it.

Adapting from COVID-19: How technology reinvented recreation in nursing homes’ post-pandemic world

By Samantha Greene, LMSW, is Centers Health

Corporate Director of Social Work and Recreation & Rose Ferreira, CTRS, is Centers Health Care’s Senior Director of Recreation.

When you ask most people in the community about where the heart of the nursing home is, they will quickly answer the recreation department. Unlike any other department, recreation takes on a unique role in the day-to-day life of a resident, not only providing activities but also providing daily emotional and spiritual support. During peak COVID, the role of the recreation department changed forever. Gathering to eat a meal, playing bingo, attending religious services, watching a movie while sharing popcorn, a gentle hug, all became impermissible. Teams had to come up with new and creative ways to engage residents. (Continued on back)