Day Program opportunities are available to the individuals we support across a broad spectrum of leisure activities, while at the same time building and maintaining skills, promoting independence, and developing teamwork and interpersonal skills. We offer day program evaluations to determine a person’s strengths, as well as to identify their goals. In conjunction with the agency’s person centered approach, we strive to develop day program opportunities that offer purpose and meaning in community based settings. Every activity created is based on individual interests and ideas, and each person chooses their day program schedule based on these interests, the location, and availability.
Arts & Crafts Classes
There are a few arts & crafts classes held at different residential programs throughout the week. Individuals spend their day working on arts and crafts projects, ranging from painting, to decorating cards, to making functional items, such as jewelry boxes, out of recycled materials. Individuals choose what they want to create based on available materials.
“Beauty” and “Grooming” Classes
There are a few beauty and grooming classes held at different residential programs throughout the week. Women who participate in the beauty classes enjoy getting pampered, having their fingernails painted, receiving hand massages, getting facials, and having their hair done. Men who partake in the grooming classes also enjoy being pampered, relaxing with foot baths, receiving hand massages, and having their hair styled.
Computer Class
A few individuals have been participating in a computer class where they spend time working on typing skills.
Cooking Classes
There are several cooking classes held at different residential programs throughout the week. Individuals learn about safety skills in a kitchen, cooking and preparation skills, as well as nutrition information all while preparing and cooking their lunch for the afternoon. Some classes also participate in the food shopping for their menu items at local supermarkets. Each class follows a cookbook filled with healthy recipes. One program also incorporates baking into the class, focusing on healthier desserts and treats. After lunch, everyone divvies up the clean-up tasks.
Exercise
There are several different exercise day programs that take place during the week. Some individuals participate in exercises and physical therapy stretches on floor mats. Others plug walking at local parks or in neighborhoods into their schedules. Several people have been swimming at the Newman YMCA in Seekonk; a couple of people participate in this for therapeutic purposes, while a couple of others enjoy walking laps in the water. A few other women have been attending Curves in Tiverton as part of their Physical Fitness day program, which is followed by walking and completing exercise videos.
Linens
There are a few linen programs taking place during the week. Individuals pick up linens from other residential programs and head to a local Laundromat where they wash, dry, and fold the clean items and then return them to the residential programs.
Magazine deliveries
Several individuals receive donated magazines from staff personnel and families. They sort these magazines and then deliver them to local nursing homes every other week.
Movie Classes
This is a half-day activity. (All half-day activities are followed by another half-day activity.) Individuals enjoy watching great classics and personal favorites.
Meals On Wheels
Several individuals volunteer for Meals on Wheels. They pick up the meals at a local church and deliver the hot meals to those in need.
Pet Therapy
Individuals involved in this half-day activity enjoy interacting with a certified pet and the Pet Therapist.
Reading Classes
There are a couple of half-day reading groups that are held during the week. One group has enjoyed series like, Harry Potter, and other days they are amused by “gossip” magazines. Either staff do the reading, or it is a book on tape. Another reading group focuses on sports. This includes reading through the sports section of the local paper, as well as discussing current news regarding sports and favorite athletes. They also watch sports movies and documentaries.
Recreational Days
Many individuals look forward to spending a day or two partaking in recreational activities out in the community. There are a few days during the week when groups go bowling at local alleys, others enjoy going out to lunch or having lunch at local parks, while others like to do some household shopping, errands, and mail runs.
Reflexology
Judith Medeiros, M. Ed., has been training support staff on reflexology over the past several years. With this training, a few reflexology classes have been part of LIFE’s day program opportunities. The reflexology is completed on both hands and feet, as each individual is comfortable. As individuals wait their turn to receive this treatment, they enjoy relaxing with foot baths in a peaceful atmosphere. This is a half-day activity. (Judith is a Reiki Master Teacher, a Certified Yoga Teacher, and a Certified Reflexologist on the American Reflexology Certification Board.)
Senior Center
Many of the elderly supported individuals enjoy going to local senior centers a couple of days during the week. They enjoy the recreational activities, but they especially enjoy visiting with their friends from the community who also attend the center.
Sensory Classes
There are several sensory classes held at different residential programs throughout the week. Sensory sites were created at these residential programs based on recommendations made by the agency’s consulting Occupational Therapist, Susan Finn. These sensory rooms are filled with auditory and visually pleasing tools for individuals to manipulate as they choose. Some also have Motion Tables and swings catering to those who enjoy the feeling of movement. Other “hands on” sensory techniques are completed by trained support staff, such as hand massages, facial strokes and ear massages, and rhythmic backstrokes. The air is also filled with aromas of essential oils and soothing sounds, whether it is relaxing music, water fountains, or sounds of nature, in a dimly lit setting. This is a half-day activity.
Social Activities
Circle of Friends
The Little Compton Community Center hosts a monthly social event, Circle of Friends, for people with disabilities and their families. Events held at the Community Center include: holiday parties, Bingo nights, Talent Shows, and an annual New Year’s celebration. Other monthly events held outside of the Center have included: sailing with Shake-A-Leg, participating in the Community Arts Connect Day at the Newport Art Museum, having a picnic at Veteran’s Field in Little Compton during a free concert of the Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra, and going to the Public Safety Complex in Little Compton. Many individuals supported by LIFE attend these monthly social events. For more information on Circle of Friends, you can contact the Community Center by phone at (401) 635-2400, or by email at lccc@lccenter.com .
“Circles” Program
Since July of 2008, Bethany Gale, a Support Coordinator with LIFE, has been teaching the “Circles” Program to individuals during Day Program and CSLA Family Supports hours. Those who participate learn about and are reminded of all of the appropriate “Circles,” or personal space and interaction, between different members of their community and their lives – strangers, children, acquaintances, support staff, friends, sweethearts, and family members. Each “Circles” session lasts about 6 weeks. Bethany continues to teach the program on an as needed basis. (The Circles Program was created by Marklyn P. Champagne, R.N., M.S.W.)
LIFE, Inc. Social Events
Over the past several years, LIFE has been hosting dances for the supported individuals. Often times these dances occur around holidays, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and winter holidays. These dances are held at local venues and DJ Trouble keeps the dance floor full playing popular and classic hits. During the warmer months, LIFE has been hosting outdoor activities, such as, going to a Pawtucket Red Sox game, going to the Roger Williams Zoo, having a cookout at Colt State Park, and every other year having a day trip to Six Flags in Agawam, MA.
Monday Night Bowling
Supported individuals receiving CSLA Family Supports on Monday evenings have been participating in a bowling group since the summer of 2008. Some other individuals who receive Residential Supports meet up with this group. It began at Dudek’s in Warren, RI, but has become such a popular social activity, that it has expanded into two bowling groups. The second group began bowling at East Providence Lanes in February 2009.
Money Skills Class
Since September of 2008, Bethany Gale, a Support Coordinator with LIFE, has been teaching a Money Skills Class to interested individuals during CSLA Family Supports hours. Some individuals receiving Residential Supports also attend. Those participating enjoy learning about money in a familiar setting and in fun and interactive ways. This skill is taught to each person in his/her own individual learning style. Money skills board games and a “mock gift shop” are also incorporated to simulate money skills out in the community.
Wednesday Afternoon Yoga
In April 2008, Judith Medeiros, M. Ed., began instructing a weekly gentle Yoga class for interested individuals. The class is held on Wednesdays from 2pm-3pm in the LIFE Conference Room. It incorporates some “chair yoga,” focusing on breathing and stretching as well as a few standing positions and some stretches on floor mats. Currently, approximately 9 supported individuals are participating in this class. (Judith is a Reiki Master Teacher, a Certified Yoga Teacher, and a Certified Reflexologist on the American Reflexology Certification Board.)
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