Audit of Residential Facilities, Final report - Division for Social Policy ...

Cultural and recreational activities:It is further noted in the norms and standards that regular programmes appropriate for the needsand limitations for the persons being cared for must be implemented, that all persons should beout of bed at least twice a day and appropriately dressed and finally that they should participatein organised activities, including but not limited to reading, radio and TV, religious and culturalactivities.Although all homes provided some form of social, religious, cultural and recreational activities,many focused on religious activities. This was especially the case where homes had a strongaffiliation to a particular church. Activities such as guided exercises (64%), guided reading andcultural activities (73%), entertainment and recreation (73%) and religious and spiritual activities(74%). Some of the more popular activities include: games (i.e. dominoes, cards, puzzles, andbingo), exercises, arts and craft, TV, radio, sing-along events, reading, outings and church basedactivities (i.e. prayer meetings, bible study)Many homes argued that they did not offer much recreational programmes because thefrequency and intensity of it depends on the level of frailty in the home. While this is indeed thecase a home in the North West Province provided a good practice model for social, cultural andrecreational programmes in which the Recreation Officer provided a range of activities involvingfrail residents as well. If these activities could not be done in the recreation room it was taken tothe wards so that frail residents could participate even from their beds.Outreach services:The norms and standards state that “…older persons should maintain their independencethrough the provisioning of day care services, home care services and short-term residentialplacement and care services…”37 | D S D A u d i t o f R e s i d e n t i a l F a c i l i t i e s