TITLE  Reading and discussing group for seniors in nursery home
 
PLAN - WHAT DID YOU SET OUT TO DO?
LL4S
  Summary/ Description of Activity
  Permanent meetings with reading and discussion on some specific theme
  Learning objectives:
  Members of the group learn about slovene fiction and history, they transfer their knowledge of some theme to younger generation. They express their feelings and they train their memory with repeating the conclusions from previous meetings.
 
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Date [dd/mm/yyyy]  autumn and winter 2008, spring and summer 2009
Length of activity  one hour per week
Frequency  weekly
Organiser  Public library Kranj (Osrednja knjižnica Kranj)
Tutor  licensed moderator for adult reading groups, external
Group Size  15 participants
Venue  Nursery home for seniors Kranj
Location  Kranj, Slovenia UK
Environment  urban
Location Factors  location, accessible for disabled people
Partnerships  Nursery home for seniors Kranj
Target group  residents of nursery home for seniors, also people in daily care
Contact  aljosa@kr.sik.si
Marketing  verbaly between residents and medical staff
Method of delivery  tutor, team work
Equipment required  no special equipment, comfortable chairs
Other Factors  inviting new members all the time, consider different level of knowledge and education of members and their previous life in different cultural environment
Tasks  (Task4) Maintain and increase seniors competences
 
EVALUATION OF ACTIVITY
  Evaluation of the Learning Objectives
  We have achieved the following: * development of reading culture; * higher quality of life; * increased sense of usefulness because of imparting knowledge to younger generations; * increased the psychological and physical fitness of seniors; * promote interest in literature; * developement of critical evaluation of the books that has been read; * exchange of experience on the basis of literature that has been read.The learners were very satisfied.
  Evaluation of the activity
  The reading group in the nursery home for seniors is slightly different from the rest of the reading groups (there are older people, with different psychological and physical fitness, with problems that arise with different diseases...). We analysed short sections of novels or short stories. The text was read only by those who run the meeting. It was necessary to read loudly and clearly. Themes and concepts had to be planned in advance in order not to repeat themselves. We chosed topics according to what most of the participants wera interested in (memories of the past, everyday life…). At the same time we had to avoid themes that might lead to conflict (policy, war, religion…). Broader knowledge of age and health problems of participants helped us to choose a theme and carry out the course of each hour. Our expectations about activities with seniors have been fulfilled.
  Evaluation of what was learned by the participants
  Participants were developing the culture of reading and critical evaluation of literature. We encouraged them to think about what they have read. People learned things with exchange of experiences in the group. At the end of every meeting they were usually very gratefull because conversation with other people had good impact on their well-being. The time they spent together was very valuable for them. In the future we will try to select more literary works and themes, which will be of interest to the participants.
  Evaluation of what staff have learned
  Most of the staff gain experience in how to work with larger groups and seniors older than seventy. We learned about their age and health problems and tried to involve them into the work with the group. With every hour we were richer for the knowledge from their experience and memories. We got some new ideas how to include their knowledge of heritage into the library activities. In the future we plan to increase active reading with individual participants according to their psychophysical fitness.
  Keywords
  active reading; reading culture; exchange of experience; reading club; seniors; nursery homes; team work; quality of life
 
ANALYSIS OF EVALUATION
  What would you change to improve activity?
  * We should put more effort to encourage participants to start reading on their own according to their psycho physical state. * We would try to previously notfy the participants about the topic of the next meeting. * We would try to find more spacious room.
  What particular circumstance could affect a change in the activity?
  Change of the location (urban, rural), change of the group structure (this specially!).
  Other possible Activities
  * literary meetings; * presentations of books; * lectures; * workshops
  Best practice
  Yes.
  Transferability:
  The original activity can be adapted and used with all senior groups. Mentaly active seniors can read the books for themselves (full text). Some expert (senior) can be invited to a meeting as a guest. The staff which is working with seniors has to have a sense to work with elderly people and some professional competences.