At the beginning we just wanted a dignified life to our low income seniors. We had seen the results of isolation and neglect. We saw their lives changed by having good meals, a little help in getting out of bed and bathing, the opportunity to be with others, the right medication, we knew there was much to do. Improve their life expectancy? Avoid hospitalization?, prevent them for falling? Make them more alert? And our signature programs were born; food and welcoming committees, family dining, group discussions, music and computer classes, pet activities, happy hour and café time with relatives.
At first most were reluctant to engage. So we started with a very small group of residents. We used music and dancing first. Some were embarrassed at the beginning but later it became their morning routine. Little by little others, watching from afar, joined the group. The group grew from a handful to over fifty and from that moment they were not willing to live without the program. We became more innovative with our program, offering dancing classes, yoga, music and art classes, fitness programs, personal trainers, aquatic courses and gardening. These will be offered at all our projects.
The clients were having fun but that was not all. Those who regularly engaged in these activities saw great improvements in cognitive and physical health; less trips to the emergency room, less need for medication, a decrease in back and muscle pain, and dramatic decrease in nursing home care. They also experienced less anxiety and agitation, using their energy in a positive way. Another side effect was an increased in socialization with the staff and the residents