Still Kicking Restorative Groups for Frail Older Adults By Abby V. Brown-Watson, M.S.W. Foreword by Irene Burnside, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN

Preface
Foreword
Irene Burnside

Part 1: Building a Restorative Group Program

1. Restorative Groups: An Overview
   
   Understanding the Benefits of Restorative Groups
   Identifying and Compensating for Losses
   Fitness
   Health
   Social Support
   Purpose in Life
   Personal Power
   Understanding the Curative Powers of Restorative Groups
   
   
2. What Are the Components?
   
   Understanding the Components of a Complete Restorative Group
   The Exercise Portion
   The Support Portion
   Discussion Sessions
   Education Sessions
   Socialization Sessions
   Seating
   Safety
   
   
3. Whom Are We Serving?
   
   Identifying Potential Group Members
   Assessing, Admitting, and Working with Clients
   Referral
   In-Home Assessment
   Developing and Implementing a Care Plan
   Orientation to the Group
   Client’s First Day in the Group
   Follow-Up
   Ongoing Case Management
   Terminating Group Members
   "Graduation"
   Physical or Mental Deterioration
   Death
   
   
4. How Do I Lead a Restorative Group?
   
   Leading the Restorative Group
   "Modeling ‘We-ness’ "
   Group Discussions
   Discussion Techniques
   Progress Report to Client’s Physician
   Working with Volunteers
   Monthly Meeting
   Leading the Exercise Group
   Combining Group Leader/Exercise Leader
   Establishing Program Policies
   First Names
   Disability-Neutral Language
   Reliability and Consistency
   Taboo Subjects
   Religion
   Health Education
   Unacceptable Behavior
   Money
   Commercial Activities
   Group Address and Telephone List
   
   
5. How Do I Start a Restorative Group?
   
   Deciding on Group Program Type
   Funding
   Public Sector
   Philanthropic Sector
   Corporate Sector
   Fee for Service from Clients
   Finding a Place to Meet
   The Ideal Building and Room
   Cost
   Relationships with Management and Residents
   Publicizing the Restorative Group Program
   Adding Services to Meet Emerging Needs
   Caregiver Support Group
   Caregiver Respite Program
   Summer Education Series for Caregivers
   Crisis and Short-Term Interventions Program
   Group Volunteer Program
   Student Practicums Program

Part 2: The Exercises

• Chair Exercises
  
• Standing Exercises
  
• Using Hand Weights
  
• Games
  
• Recommended Readings and Videos

Part 3: The Support Sessions

• Session 1 The Mingler
  
• Session 2 What Do We Have in Common?
  
• Session 3 What’s in a Name?
  
• Session 4 Learning Names
  
• Session 5 The Importance of Belonging
  
• Session 6 What I Like About Our Group
  
• Session 7 Where It All Began—Childhood Memories
  
• Session 8 In a Word—Reminisce
  
• Session 9 The Working Life
  
• Session 10 The Best Years of Our Lives
  
• Session 11 Show and/or Tell
  
• Session 12 Being Assertive
  
• Session 13 Solving Problems
  
• Session 14 Making Good Decisions
  
• Session 15 Grieving Losses
  
• Session 16 Coping with the Holiday Blues
  
• Session 17 What Keeps Me Going?
  
• Session 18 Being an Older Adult Is
  
• Session 19 People Who Influenced Me
  
• Session 20 A Balance in Caring
  
• Session 21 Appreciation
  
• Session 22 “Old People”
  
• Session 23 What’s Your Aging IQ?
  
• Session 24 “Seniors” and “Teeners”
  
• Session 25 Losses and Gains of Aging
  
• Session 26 What’s Happening to My Memory?
  
• Session 27 What Is a Healthful Lifestyle?
  
• Session 28 Healthful Eating Wheel of Fortune
  
• Session 29 What Do I Know About High Blood Pressure?
  
• Session 30 What Do I Know About Diabetes?
  
• Session 31 What Do I Know About Osteoporosis?
  
• Session 32 Coping with Pain
  
• Session 33 Managing My Medications
  
• Session 34 Discussing Medications
  
• Session 35 Do I Have the Right Doctor?
  
• Session 36 Symptoms We Shouldn’t Ignore
  
• Session 37 When I’m Depressed
  
• Session 38 A Safe Home Is No Accident
  
• Session 39 Preventing Falls
  
• Session 40 Getting Help in an Emergency
  
• Session 41 What Help Will I Need?
  
• Session 42 Name that Service!
  
• Session 43 Developing an Independent Spirit
  
• Session 44 Where Shall I Live?
  
• Session 45 Learning About Life Care Planning
  
• Session 46 Let’s Have a Party
  
• Session 47 Sing Along with Me
  
• Session 48 Bingo
  
• Session 49 Word Game
  
• Session 50 The Memory Game
  
• Session 51 Famous Couples
  
• Session 52 Home-Grown Charades
  
• Session 53 Fun with Skits
  
• Session 54 Spelling Bee
  
• Session 55 Sedentary Scavenger Hunt
  
• Session 56 Three-Letter Words
  
• Session 57 Word Scramble
  
• Session 58 Trivia

Handouts
References
Appendix A: Resources for Handouts & Games
Appendix B: State Units on Aging
Index