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French cooking demonstrations, Wii bowling and Tai Chi may not usually be associated with skilled nursing facilities but at Horizon West’s rehabilitative centers a full schedule of activities is an everyday occurrence.
“Our residents were recently asking to see the movie, ‘Julie and Julia,’ so we showed the DVD and them decided to conduct a French cooking demonstration,” said Jacque Davis, who has been the activities director for Auburn’s Colonial Healthcare Center since 1990.
On the day of movie showing Davis and Colonial activities assistants Judee Clarke and Terry Koning prepared poached pears with chocolate sauce for about a dozen of Colonial’s residents, who each enjoyed placing a creative swirl of chocolate on their plates where the pears were placed.
“I think they are all good cooks,” said resident Charlotte MacKenzie, 91, who also enjoys games of Bingo and Blackjack a few times a week as well.
“Having so many activities gives our residents meaning and purpose,” Davis said. “Maybe these were things they didn’t used to do, or maybe they join in because it’s a way for them to be involved.”
Chris Johnson, activities director at Horizon West-Sierra Hills in Roseville agrees and said keeping residents at the Cirby Way center is also a priority.
“Our residents enjoy having parties for all the holidays,” Johnson said. In February we had a king and queen of hearts who were voted on by our residents and staff. We are currently planning a celebration for Easter.”
Some Sierra Hills residents even have regular visits from members of the Granite Bay Area chapter of National Charity League, a mother/daughter organization that spends time with residents.
“A few of the girls and their moms come in and paint the fingernails of some of our ladies,” Johnson said. “We even have some other NCL members who regularly play piano and flute for us all.”
Music is also popular in Auburn where a local jazz band performs twice a month.
“Everybody loves music,” Davis said. “They play big band music and jazz, tunes our residents remember from their younger days. Some like to dance too. We hold their hands and they move all around.”
Although many care center residents are in wheelchairs or walkers, that doesn’t stop them from participating in the extra curricular happenings.
“We have bowling every Tuesday morning,” Davis said. “We have special bowling balls and pins that we set up in the dining room. Those participating bowl (some from their wheelchairs) and even keep score.”
At the Roseville location Johnson said regular games of Wii basketball and golf are also popular with some residents.
At Foothill Oak Care Center, which is also in Auburn, executive director John DeLuca said some residents enjoy the relaxing activity of ceramics, which is offered by Placer Adult School for the Foothill residents.
"We also just started offering a soup-of-the-day," De Luca said.
According to DeLuca the center's cook has been offering something different each day and it's created quite a buzz with the residents who wonder what they will be served.
“It’s so rewarding to see our residents happy and staying active. They are not just sitting around. We help them to live happier lives,” Davis said.
In addition to facilities in Auburn and Roseville, Horizon West operates inpatient rehabilitative centers and skilled nursing homes throughout California and Utah.
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