STARS patients ‘cookie-ing’ up a storm

STARS patients making Christmas gingerbread biscuits and a gingerbread house as a part of their occupational therapy

Christmas is a special time of year with many people having special Christmas traditions that they participate in every year. Whether it is visiting the neighbourhood light displays or baking festive fare, it is these activities that are often the essence of Christmas. Being in hospital over the Christmas period can be a difficult time for patients and their families, with the usual family traditions often put on hold.

Our wonderful Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) staff create many opportunities to include Christmas celebrations for patients during their time with us, including incorporating Christmas activities into patient’s therapy.

In the lead up to Christmas, the Life Skills Group came together to decorate a gingerbread house and gingerbread biscuits to give to family members.

For STARS Occupational Therapist Erin Gothard, Christmas-themed therapy activities play an important role in patient’s therapy.

“Meal preparation and baking is a great therapy tool to progress a variety of rehabilitation goals such as upper limb function, cognition and communication,” Erin said.

“It’s particularly meaningful at Christmas when patients can help create food to share with family and friends at a time when they feel the weight of hospitalisation and absence from home.”

Assembling the gingerbread house, mixing icing and applying icing and lolly decorations to the gingerbread all improve not only patient’s fine motor and hand-eye coordination but also their independence and self-confidence.

We are sure you will agree that their efforts are amazing!