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Children and Pets
(continued)
Abby resides in our rehabilitation therapy department on the second
floor of our building, where she is restricted to the department
space and public hallways. Not only do residents look forward to
her visits, therapists have found a creative way to integrate these
pet visits with active therapy sessions. For improvement of range of
motion, residents enjoy brushing her luxurious coat while she sits
on their lap. For residents requiring daily walking exercise but who would
otherwise not be interested in walking, staff ask them to take Abby for
a “walk.” In this case, it means placing Abby in a walker bag or on the
walker seat and having residents and therapists stroll up and down the
halls with Abby happily in tow. A win-win for everyone! Therapy has never
been so enjoyable!
We are also fortunate to have a staff member, Kathy Eschborn, who
is a unit secretary in our rehab center who LOVES animals! She is the
founding member of a local dog rescue group, as well as a registered
foster “mom” with our local SPCA. She has the blessing of Beechwood
to bring in her kittens and puppies – given they are certified healthy and
have had their vaccinations.
On any given day you can see a puppy or kitten sleeping peacefully on a
resident’s lap while the resident gently scratches behind their ears.
“I have brought countless numbers of puppies and kittens to work with
me for many years,” said Kathy. “I feel very fortunate that Beechwood
not only allows me to bring my foster animals to work, but encourages
me to do so. I have witnessed firsthand the ‘healing and calming’ effect
that holding an animal has for a resident (and staff members as well)!
It’s not only beneficial for them, it’s beneficial for the animals, too, as
they need socializing and love.”
Kathy is also responsible for organizing a dog fashion show, which has
become one of our most popular events.
Sadly, our efforts are not always successful. In regard to having a live-in
pet in a household or facility wide, there must be a round-the-clock
support system in place to care for the pet. For example, our residents
and staff who live and work in a singular household must all agree that
they want a pet and will be responsible to care for it.
(continued on page 24)
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Spring 2016
Children and Pets (continued)
Sometimes that cat or dog just doesn’t
adjust to community living. It may be fear
of wheelchairs. It may be that they are
too active. In one case, we had a dog that
became so protective of its neighborhood
households that it barked at anyone who
got off the elevator. He also became very
attached to only a few staff members and
resisted the care from others. Ultimately, we
had to find him another home.
Our memory care household is working on
introducing a variety of “pets” to its residents.
Presently, they have started an aquarium. And
this spring, they are hoping to hatch butterflies
in a special mesh habitat. To acclimate
residents to a real cat, they have begun with a
“breathing” cat model.
Clearly, pets are a wonderful addition to a
community and provide tremendous benefits
– socially, physically and emotionally. But in
order to be successful, they also require great
forethought and care.
Children’s Program . . . Lots of
Hugs and Giggles
Beechwood is very fortunate to have a day
care center as its next door neighbor! Over
the years, our relationship has flourished to
include various program interactions between
our residents and the children, including
monthly visits and a pen pal program. Ages
range from infant to school age.
Together with the day care center staff, we
have developed programs that are interactive
whenever possible. For example, we have
“Quiet” activities such as coloring, reading
books, show & tell, bingo, sing-along and
simple crafts. “Game” activities are more
physical, including ring toss, balloon volley ball
and parachute play which provide great fun for
all ages – young, old and in-between!
Another program that has created a great
bond with our residents and the school age
children,seven to nine years, is our Pen
Pal Project. This is a summer program that
pairs a resident and child. Each pair gets a
composition notebook and write letters back
and forth throughout the summer. Staff from
Beechwood and the day care center help both
participants if they need assistance in writing
or sharing their special stories.
At the end of the summer, residents and their
pen pals finally meet at an ice cream social
held at Beechwood. It is so heartwarming to
see them all meet for the very first time. Lots
of hugs and giggles over bowls of their favorite
ice cream! “When the children visit they bring
amazing joy and delight to our residents,”
said Suzanne Cattell, recreation leader at
Beechwood.
“Whether children are playing a game or
visiting each household with a small gift,
the residents’ faces light up with smiles,
excitement and wonder, she said. “When
children visit, miraculous things happen to the
spirits of our residents. Their childlike energy
has a way of bringing out the child in all of us.”
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