The Value of Vocational Activity
Support your care partner’s Vocational well-being by engaging in activities that have been meaningful in the past. In this blog, we want to share some vocational examples from one of our Activity Specialist.
Our Hummingbird activity specialist, Keesje, tells the story of a recent project of refurbishing a wooden chair with George.*
George has always enjoyed home improvement projects, from painting a fence to renovating an old country store. One day, I brought a wooden chair to the house and asked George if he would help me refurbish it. We set up an impromptu workshop outside on the patio.
I handed George sandpaper, and he began to sand the chair. Working together on opposite sides of the chair made us a friendly team. The sanding project will continue in small time increments over several weeks.
Then we will paint the chair and reupholster the seat. Using familiar tools of paint brushes, screwdriver, and fabric sheers reinforces George’s role as a handyman and expert adviser. George recommended trying out several different stains before selecting the final one. This hands-on work is mentally engrossing, physically engaging, and socially connecting.
Here are some ideas of how you can adapt this vocational project with your client or loved one.
- Make a park picnic table into an impromptu workbench and plan to repeat the project with a new chair.
- Refurbish items such as a wooden box or table.
* Name changed to protect client confidentiality. Photos published with permission.
