24 April 2024
Seniors from Regis Nedlands had the opportunity to learn more about their state’s mining, farming and fishing history last month, thanks to a new partnership with the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip and the dedicated lifestyle team at the Home.
Organised by Lifestyle Coordinator, Liz Armijo Gatica, and her team, the trip to the WA Museum – well known as a vibrant centre of inspiration, learning and enjoyment for everyone – was organised as part of the Footsteps program, an initiative which aims to increase the accessibility of the museum for older Australians who may have mobility issues or specific needs due to memory loss.
“It was wonderful to be able to take our residents on a trip out to our incredible museum, they loved the cultural experience and being able to interact with the visual and tactile displays – you could see how interested and engaged everyone was and also the happiness on their faces,” said Liz.
“Along with being engaged and entertained, our seniors’ emotional and cognitive skills were also stimulated during our visit, as were their social skills, all of which are priorities for the Regis team when it comes to our resident’s wellbeing.”
As part of the Footsteps program, Regis residents will take part in bi-monthly trips to the museum to enable residents to visit all eight permanent galleries during the year. The visits are also supported by trained museum staff and specially trained volunteers, to ensure the sessions are appropriate, engaging and enjoyable for the seniors who take part.
“We are very grateful to the West Australian Museum for agreeing to partner with Regis and offer our residents this incredible experience to enjoy WA’s natural and cultural heritage,” adds Liz.
“The benefits for our seniors, who are still excitingly talking about their first visit, have been huge.”
The WA Museum’s Footsteps program enables older visitors to confidently explore the museum, guided by knowledgeable aged care trained volunteers who possess an intimate understanding of the building, its facilities, and the gallery content. The program is designed to engage seniors on a deeper, more accessible level with the gallery content, and increase visitor engagement in this older demographic.
