·
Call
Ahead! Times and prices sometimes change without notice. Don't be stuck with an hour to kill before
the museum opens or at a movie that started a half-hour before you
arrived! A two-minute phone call can
save you a lot of frustration.
·
Leave
extra time for the unforeseen traffic jam or the unexpected bathroom stop. Call and ask for parking suggestions and
don't forget change for the meters! If
there are accessibility issues, there may be special provisions such as a
particular place where you can pull up next to the building or a staff person
who can wait with your residents while you park the car. It's worth a phone call.
·
Have
a "Plan B": If you have planned an active, outdoor event the night
before, your residents may wake up the next morning and lack the energy they
would need to enjoy it. The weather
report is not always right and a chance shower may surprise you. If you've planned a new experience, have a
familiar activity ready. If you've planned
to be outside, have an indoor event in mind.
With a little extra thinking, you don't have to sit at home if
conditions change.
·
Involve
Everyone: You can teach your residents by sharing your planning techniques and
thought processes for new situations.
Not only will planning together help residents to feel like active
participants in their lives, but it may help to calm fears and teach critical
thinking skills.
·
Write
notes right in the directory. Where is the
accessible parking? Do they give a senior discount? Was there a person who was
particularly helpful? This is information you may want to make note of and pass
on to other staff members.