Garden of Thoughts with Thomas (RSO)

13/04/2021

As we age, having access to emotional support and social interaction becomes especially important.

For the elderly, the absence of having someone to talk to or feeling isolated can have a detrimental impact on their overall health and wellbeing, such as cognitive decline, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Therefore, having meaningful contact with other people and being part of a community contributes greatly in helping people feel more positive about themselves and avoid loneliness.

We know taking that initial step into aged care comes with many mixed emotions for everyone involved. As part of our services at McKenzie Aged Care, we have dedicated Resident Support Officers (RSO) who are there to provide additional support for residents and their families.

Our RSOs are there to provide comfort and reassurance following admission into care, and to listen and understand resident’s emotions to best service their ongoing needs. This can either be in the form of time spent one-on-one, or in a group setting to incorporate social interaction.

Thomas, our RSO for the South-East QLD and NSW region, has enabled residents to share their feelings and thoughts by coordinating a group session called ‘Garden of Thoughts’. On a nice day, Thomas takes the group out into the garden, and provides an opportunity for residents to reflect and discuss their feelings within a safe and welcoming setting. Each week, the group will focus on a different subject that addresses different emotions. With the use of notes and questions that prompt conversation, the residents quickly become comfortable to engage in a deeper discussion, creating an opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings and memories. Thomas likes to focus on positive psychology, incorporating meditation, to encourage mindfulness and focusing on the positives in the present moment.

When asked what prompted this initiative, Thomas said, “I use the approach ‘one me, one life, but many thoughts, many stories’ as positive reinforcement therapy, so residents are able to see life again in brighter colours. This is my way of hearing them and letting residents know I am there for them”.

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