By Petrina Wright | Posted: Sunday August 11, 2024
An initiative to improve and enrich Enliven residents’ wellbeing is in full swing.
Staff, residents and their whānau are learning how to use poi as part of the Poi Rere initiative, introduced into Enliven Southland’s care homes during Matariki celebrations.
Pou Tohutohu Ahurea Māori cultural advisor Michelle Ryland said the benefits associated with poi were numerous.
Poi allowed creativity and generated opportunities for residents to experience rich interactions and have fun, she said.
“Poi stimulates the mind and body by improving grip strength and aiding cognitive function. It is also an effective social activity providing an opportunity for residents to interact with others, thereby reducing loneliness.
“We see it as another way for our residents to remain connected and feel part of our local hāpori (community).”
Care home physiotherapists have been very engaged with the initiative and planned to continue to use poi as part of the ongoing regular exercise programme in the homes.
Vickery Court physiotherapist Antoinette Lai said poi was a fun way to exercise.
“It is interactive, cognitively stimulating and suitable for all ages, stages and abilities.
“I especially love that Spin Poi can be done sitting or standing and strengthens and works on coordination at the same time.”
The Poi Rere initiative also provided a Māori cultural learning opportunity.
“Using poi provided an opportunity for staff, residents and their whānau to engage with and share part of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view),” Michelle said.
In addition to making their own poi and learning how to use them, residents learned about the whakapapa (history), tikanga (customs and traditional values) and the kawa (Māori protocol and etiquette) of poi.
A further benefit of the poi rere project had been the engagement with the wider community, with school groups and community groups visiting the care homes to help the residents make the poi and demonstrate how to use them.
One group to assist with the project was from the Southland Adventist Christian School.
Class teacher Jennifer Henry took a group of 15 Year 6, 7 and 8 pupils to Vickery Court to help the residents make poi.
The pupils really enjoyed developing relationships with the kaumatua and being able to do something practical to help them, she said.
The Poi Rere initiative was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Social Development Age Friendly Fund towards the purchase of Spin Poi resource kits for each care home.