New Holistic Enrichment Program Utilizing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Designed for Institutionalized Residential Care Facilities

Abstract

Background: The growing aging population requires care support resources which engage older adults in many different aspects of human functioning and experiences [1]. The purpose of this applied research project was to develop, and pilot test a holistic enrichment program manual used with Institutionalized Residential Care Facilities (IRCF) that encompasses motor skill, social, cognitive and self-enrichment outcomes, and to pilot test the enrichment program manual to be both cost-effective and a time savings to IRCFs. Methods: The enrichment manual is based on the theory of Maslow's (1943) Hierarchy of Needs while integrating holistic care through training modules. In the needs analysis phase, the researcher anticipated that information from individual interviews with Enrichment Directors (ED) would assist in the development of the enrichment manual. Open-ended questions were constructed to learn how ED participants implement needs through programs; the researcher also expected to discover some activities to incorporate into the manual. During the project development phase, the researcher used books, videos, web resources, and training manuals to investigate training, holistic care, and activities further. After the completion of the manual, the researcher followed up with a feedback interview phase. The needs analysis phase consisted of ten ED participants, and the feedback