How can older people join a day center?

Older people can be referred to the drop in centre by a relative, LC, religious leaders or can self-refer. Those who are interested in attending the Centre may be able to arrange a taster day.

Contact your nearest SSL office directly to make your application.

If you are successful, your assessment will help to determine your needs and a personalized plan for participating in activities.

Usually SSL drop in Centre will be providing mobility aids, will be offering some assistance such as helping with medication, but mostly cater to those requiring a lower level of care.

Centres are unlikely to be able to support those with complex needs or who are in need of overnight care.

What can one expect from SSL drop in Centre?

SSL Drop in centres will be providing members with both practical assistance and a chance to socialise, with support from trained staff and volunteers. Our clients will enjoy a wide variety of activities which include:

• Singing, dancing and music
• Gentle exercise
• Arts and crafts
• Day trips
• SSL offers specialized healthy eating day care.
• Dancing classes.
• Cooking classes
• Playing Bingo
• Old traditional story telling

Members will also be served a hot lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Some of our day centres offer other services, such as assisted bathing, hairdressing and foot care.

Please get in touch with your local day centre to find out about opening hours.

What does a typical day look like?

Every day at SSL drop in centre is different but you can expect it to be like this:

• In future, a wheelchair-accessible minibus will come and pick you up from your house to take you to our day centre. Most SSL centre will be offering this optional in future for people who are unable to walk.
• Settle into the centre over a cup of tea and a chat
• Morning activities will begin
• A freshly-prepared hot lunch will be served by our staff
• More activities will be organised for after lunch
• When the day is over, the minibus will drop you back at your house at an agreed time.

Benefits of gentle exercises and physical activities

• Exercise maintains a healthy weight
• Exercise helps to reduce your risk of falls by strengthening your muscles
• Exercise  also helps to support your thinking skills
• Exercise helps to maintain energy levels (exercise releases endorphins) and boosts your mood.
• Its helps in making friends when you join a club social or when you join a team.

Gentle exercises run by SSL

As it is the beginning Karago centre will be running all these types of exercises according to member’s request and trainer availability.

Dance

Show off your moves at SSL in the dancing . Relaxed classes cover everything from Latin to ballroom to freestyle to line dancing, and beginners are welcome to attend. Learning to dance will also support your brain, memory functions and the class is open for suggestions.

Seated exercise

Seated exercise classes, the gentle, chair-based exercises are excessive for improving your posture and balance; these are suitable for people with reduced flexibility and movement. Some classes introduce resistance bands and hand weights for muscle strengthening.

Walking clubs

Exploring local area and meeting new people at an organised walking group, led by one of our trained walk leaders. Groups would be group according the walking pace that suits everyone in the group.

Benefits of art and craft in seniors.

Seniors living with a numerous of conditions would benefit from art and craft therapy which is psychotherapy for all ages more especially for older adults living with memory loss. Art and craft therapy plays a big role in managing stress or pain in old age as one tend to concentrate on creation rather than thinking. This is a targeted use of painting and other activities to help keep the mind sharp and stimulate dexterity in a background that is fun, casual and with community. Creative interests can develop into a cherished hobby and each meeting is an opportunity to acquire the rewards of this stimulating form of therapy. Art and craft is an opportunity to socialize and also may elevate person’s level of playfulness or stimulate their sense of humour. Art and craft also promotes emotional well-being as creative activities can tap into the emotions and allows one to be more open to experience and express feelings that promote self-esteem.

Reduced stress

The burden of the early phases of memory loss can be very stressful and emotional. Not only is art therapy a great way to combat dementia, but it also represents a chance to work through anxieties of memory loss and negative feelings. The relaxing nature of painting, writing or further creative pursuits is a way to forget about greater stresses, promote health, and promote happy feelings, boosts self-esteem and self-confidence.

Overall, art therapy can be a rewarding experience, even for individuals who aren’t living with memory loss. The same calming effects can have a positive impact on other older adults living with stress, and a new, creative outlet can unlock hidden passions.

Alleviating pain
Hypertension, arthritis and other disorders that come with old age can cause chronic pain, and these may be exacerbated by emotional pain, other ailments and luck of what to do. Not only can the naturally relaxing nature of art therapy reduce these issues, but also it can reduce physical inflammation and stiffness.

Regular art therapy engages the fingers, hands and arms. This light but consistent physical activity can promote better blood flow and dexterity. With time, seniors who begin writing, painting or sketching may feel more nimble and experience less pain.

For anyone living with more serious arthritis or other issues, art therapy won’t stop chronic pain. However, relaxation therapy of any kind – including art therapy – can be a way of controlling and managing discomfort.

Recreation

Whether it’s making a homemade gift, decorating for a special event, illustrating a thought, or working on a craft project, creating artwork is a pleasurable way to spend leisure time.

Self-expression

The act of creating is a powerful way to share lives with others by making a work of art, somehow it’s a way of telling people “This is who I am. This is what I want to say.” Expressive art provides dramatic access to memories and can be a useful starting point for recollection of memories or life review.

Communication

People who have difficulty expressing them-selves verbally are often able to communicate through visual means of art and craft. For seniors dealing with the effects of a stroke, Alzheimer’s, or other condition that causes speech difficulty, visual art can provide an alternative way to connect.

Socialization

Seniors who partake in the arts regularly are less likely to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation which is the main purpose of our charity. An older person is more likely to “come out of their shells” during shared experiences of playful, fun and spontaneity. People can make friends during cooperative projects or maybe just from working alongside each other regularly. Many seniors shy away from creative activities because they feel as though they are not creative enough or are not artistic; however, even artistic novices can be creative with the right kinds of projects.

Benefits of playing bingo

Playing Bingo has more benefits than just a fun activity. Bingo needs concentration – which improves listening and short term memory skills, also encourages socialization – which is critical for seniors to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. It is an excellent way to promoting mental, emotional, and physical health.

Cognitive Benefits of Bingo

The concentration and listening skill it takes to play bingo, one’s cognitive capacities are sharpened. As the game involves attentiveness to hear the numbers and remember that information to transfer it to the cards they are playing, it improves memory.  Researchers at the University of Southampton found that bingo players had better results in tests of memory, speed, and cognitive function than those who do not play the game, regardless of their age. Significant improvement in hand-eye coordination happens with many seniors due to the quickness required and the repetitive nature of the game. Seniors with memory/confusion problems have shown improvement. By using larger cards with larger bolder with brighter colour improve memory and thinking.

Social benefits of Bingo

Bingo helps to socialise which can reduce stress, depression and anxiety while increasing ones physical health. Seniors who participate in regular social activities tend to live longer and have healthier lives. Bingo provides seniors a chance to connect with other senior which makes them look forward to as well as a purpose.

Passes Time

Seniors who live alone and in the villages far away from loved ones.  Getting out of the house, playing bingo, and socializing can help them stave off boredom plus reduce isolation.

Benefits of day trips

• Day trips enhance seniors well-being, raising their self-esteem, reducing loneliness and isolation.
• This Activity can involve people in their local community and keep them in touch with their own personal history.
• The activity and movement that trips bring reduces joint contraction, respiratory infection and high blood pressure.
• There is also increasing evidence that outdoor trips can slow down the progression of dementia.