Leisure Activities at Le Groupe Maurice: An Interview with John Conway
|Interview
At Le Groupe Maurice, leisure pursuits are not mere pastimes. They’re essential for preserving residents’ quality of life and overall well-being. To gain a deeper understanding of the significance and effects of activities in retirement communities, we spoke with John Conway, Leisure activities Manager at Le Groupe Maurice.
John, could you tell us about the leisure activities at Le Groupe Maurice?
Our goal is to provide a diverse array of activities for residents, catering to their wants and needs. We’ve organized them into 7 categories: socializing, physical activities, arts, intellectual engagement, spirituality, entertainment and outdoor excursions.
There are currently 36 residences within Le Groupe Maurice, and I can confidently say that each has its own distinct programming. Just as every residence has its unique personality, the activities calendar differs from one location to another.
Could you elaborate on the Leisure Interest Profile?
Upon arrival, new residents at Le Groupe Maurice are greeted by the complex’s Recreation Manager, who introduces them to the activity program, reviews the calendar and asks them to complete the Leisure Interest Profile to help tailor activities to their interests.
This is essentially a questionnaire that helps us pinpoint the residents’ favourite activities, enabling us to incorporate them into our leisure database. As a result, we can develop a diverse calendar that caters to the residents’ interests and preferences.
This is also a great chance to ask new residents if they’re interested in volunteering, so they can keep nurturing their talents within the community. We’re fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers, and it’s heartwarming to witness their eagerness and strong sense of belonging in their new home.
How often does the activity calendar change?
To me, planning leisure activities in a residence is similar to planning events in a city: the calendar is dynamic and changes daily to offer residents variety.
For instance, we have regular weekly activities like yoga, aqua-fitness classes and bingo to provide a sense of routine. We also add special events and activities to the calendar, such as themed quizzes, birthday celebrations, monthly brunches, group excursions, lectures, performances and more.
The activities also adapt to the seasons. During the summer, we prioritize outdoor activities like fitness classes, petanque, walking clubs, terrace cocktails and ice cream trips. In the winter, we focus on indoor activities like bowling tournaments and art workshops.
Are specific requests incorporated into the calendar?
As a social facilitator, the Recreation Manager is always open to hearing residents’ suggestions for new activities. They welcome feedback, answer questions and consider ideas from residents, ensuring their door is always open.
The Recreation Manager aims to cater to as many residents as possible, as long as the activity request appeals to a group of people. Recently, we’ve added pool volleyball, Tai Chi and even DrumFIT (fitness with drumsticks) to the calendar. Virtual reality is also becoming increasingly popular.
Do residents have to participate?
Absolutely not. While we do encourage residents in care units, for example, to join in on certain activities to enhance their cognitive function and mobility, they have the freedom to choose whether to participate or not.
Residents are truly at home here, with their own apartment and living space; they’re free to choose whether or not to sign up for activities. Plus, there are countless ways to flourish in our residences. Some people love taking advantage of the amenities in our common areas, like the pool or library. That’s the essence of leisure time at Le Groupe Maurice!
Do you arrange activities outside of the residence?
Yes, and it’s very popular, actually. Of course, the activities will vary from one residence to another, depending on people’s interests. Some complexes participate in the Défis du Parc in La Mauricie, while others attend concerts by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra or take in Cirque du Soleil performances. I’ve even seen cruises organized on Lake Memphremagog!
There are also inter-residence outings, which I think are especially engaging. As the name suggests, these are events where different residences visit one another to socialize and enjoy each other’s company.
Sevä in Candiac and L’Avantage in Brossard have organized joint bowling and billiards tournaments on several occasions. More recently, a knitting marathon brought together residents from Floréa, Le Notre-Dame, 45Nord and Les Verrières du Golf. It’s truly encouraging to see people form friendships across different residences.
Are there intergenerational activities?
Yes, and they’re becoming more frequent. We have several daycare centres and schools that come to spend time with us. During seasonal celebrations like Halloween, there’s often a costume parade or a pumpkin contest.
Some residences have initiated homework-help programs. These partnerships between schools and residences, whether for tutoring or just socializing and activities, foster heartwarming connections between kids and older individuals. We’re eager to promote this as much as we can!
Are activities tailored for residents with physical or cognitive limitations?
Of course! Since residents in care units have unique needs, we tailor activities to their abilities and pace. We focus on activities that challenge them cognitively, prevent physical decline and encourage socialization among themselves.
Actually, any activity can be adapted for care unit residents; it’s all about finding the right approach and balance.
What are some of the benefits of participating in residence activities?
Generally, residents who participate in activities tend to socialize more quickly. They thrive in their new life in residence, and I think leisure activities play a significant role in this. Many of them jokingly say that their children have trouble reaching them by phone or that they’ve never been so busy (laughs)!
When I was the Recreation Manager at Savignon, I met a resident who had great difficulty walking when he first arrived. We suggested he try aqua-fitness, and believe it or not, just a year later, this gentleman was walking again – without a cane! Leisure activities have both psychological and physical benefits, it’s truly amazing.
What are the most popular activities across all residences?
There are several. I’d say aqua-fitness is the first. This activity attracts around 150 people per residence. Water works wonders on the human body, and it’s a great social opportunity for people to come together to move, chat and laugh. Traditional fitness classes and chair yoga are also quite popular.
Music is another favorite, with concerts, recitals, singing shows and dance nights… I can assure you that many residents are music enthusiasts and have a natural sense of rhythm.
Lectures are also well-received, as people enjoy ongoing learning and expanding their knowledge through engaging, informative and entertaining presentations.
Naturally, the most popular activities change over time, reflecting residents’ shifting interests. We continuously monitor trends in leisure activities and strive to create a dynamic program that meets their needs. Our commitment to this objective will continue for as long as we can make a difference.
John, thank you so much for sharing Le Groupe Maurice’s vision for recreation activities with us. Your commitment to offering a variety of activities and initiatives in residence is truly impressive! We’re confident that these efforts will continue to delight and, above all, enrich the daily lives of older adults.