Finally! Spring has arrived, and with it, the promise of warmer temperatures, longer days, and the renewal of all that winter has kept hidden for much too long. It is refreshing to see the daffodils coming to life again, the buds on the lilacs getting bigger each day, and to hear the peepers chirping at dusk each evening.
But…are you missing the sound of those peepers? Have you bluffed your way through a story your friend shared in that noisy restaurant last week, smiling and nodding, but not really able to follow the words clearly? Have you perhaps been hiding a hearing problem?
In the hands of dozens of Hebrew SeniorLife residents are magical technological devices that offer opportunities to view, reflect, connect, peek, play, explore and learn. iPads and other forms of new technology are popping up more and more within our walls, often times gifted by family members. However, residents often struggle to make good use of them.
If you live or work at NewBridge on the Charles, one of Hebrew SeniorLife’s continuing care retirement communities, chances are you’ve noticed Irving Backman. Every morning, regardless of weather, Backman laces up a pair of Saucony sneakers, grabs his handheld radio and begins his daily run around our campus.
“I run in blizzards, ice storms and heat waves. I suppose the only thing that stopped me was not rain, but floods, when water is more than two inches deep.”
The Easter and Passover holidays provide not only an opportunity to reconnect with our faith, but also a time to enjoy delicious meals and spend time with family and friends. For adults experiencing cognitive changes due to dementia, however, holidays can be stressful. Changes in routine are difficult for persons with dementia. Care partners can become distracted by worrying about protecting their loved one’s everyday routines at events that are anything but routine. However, with thoughtful pre-planning and with the support of others, adults with dementia and their care partners can continue to find joy and meaning in the holidays. Here are some tips:
During the school year, NewBridge on the Charles resident and artist Gladys Sklar devotes one morning a week to one her favorite activities – volunteering as a classroom aide to art teacher Erica Smiley at the Rashi School on the NewBridge campus. She opens the classroom door to the greetings of children calling “Gigi!” as they reach for her hand to lead her towards their latest project.
It’s a highlight of Gladys’ week and makes her feel “really fantastic to have them so look forward to me coming to their classroom.”
“I enjoy just being there for them and for the teacher and sharing in their creativity. I consider all the children in the classroom my friends.”
April is Occupational Therapy Month and what better time to build an understanding about what an OT (occupational therapist) does and how vital the service is that we provide to older adults. The role of an OT is often confused with that of a PT (physical therapist). Although our functions sometime overlap, and OTs and PTs often work together as a team, there are important differences between the two disciplines.
