Sample Script: Introducing the PELI to Short-Stay Residents
Individuals in short-stay care settings may not understand why it is important for care team members to assess their preferences. Hilary Rheinheimer, Activities Director at Heartland of Dublin, shared her approach to PELI interviews with short-stay residents. Hilary’s method may be helpful when assessing your short-term residents’ preferences using any version of the PELI.
Starting the Conversation
Hilary introduces herself and outlines the purpose of the preference interview. She confirms that the timing is convenient and doesn’t conflict with the resident’s therapy or visitors. She says:
“Hello, I’m Hilary, the Activities Director here. I have a few questions to ask. Do you mind if I ask them now?” Once the resident agrees, she takes a seat and provides more detail about the interview:
“I’m Hilary, and I have a variety of questions to ask you. The first few are getting-to-know-you questions. Then I’ll ask about your preferences while you stay here with us for however long that may be. Finally, I’ll ask about your interests. Those questions are mainly for the Activities department, so I can get a better idea of who you are as a whole person, what you enjoy doing, and what you’re looking forward to when you return home.”
Warm-Up Questions
Next Hilary asks residents about their education and occupational background. Also, she frames the PELI assessment as way to learn about each person’s lifestyle goals once they return home. Starting this way helps residents warm up to the idea of talking about themselves and sharing their preferences candidly. She explains:
“Now I’m going to ask a few questions about your preferences while you stay here with us. Your answers will help us make your stay here a little more comfortable, and most importantly make sure we can get you ready to return to the community and your regular schedule.”
“I’ll ask for your opinion and preferences. After each question, just let me know if the preference is ‘Very Important’ to you, ‘Somewhat Important, Not Very Important, Not At All Important, Important But Can’t Do, or No Choice.’ After each question, please let me know specific information about your preferences, and I will prompt you on several topics as well.”
PELI Questions
Hilary asks all 72 of the PELI questions — pausing at the beginning of the leisure items. She asks: “Before we move on, do you have any other care concerns or preferences you would like your nurses, aides or therapists to know about?”
She then continues through the leisure items, starting at question #39: “The next questions ask about your interests. These are not necessarily things you have to participate in while you are here with us. The questions are more to let us know who you are as a whole person, what you are looking forward to doing when you get home, and what we might be able to do for you while you are here.”
Concluding the Conversation
Once she completes the remaining leisure items, Hilary asks: “Do you have any questions or concerns?” After addressing these issues, she thanks the resident for talking with her and concludes the preference interview.
For more information, contact us at PELI-Can@MiamiOH.edu