Hawaiian Day engages the senses

Themed event brings residents together in spirit of fun and laughter

July 12, 2012 -- Deron Hamel

A Hawaiian-themed event at Willows Estate July 11 served up a banquet of sensory benefits, great food, camaraderie, and fun and laughter for residents, says life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Teddy Mazzuca.

In fact, Mazzuca says Hawaiian Day engaged about half of the Aurora long-term care home’s 84 residents, and was especially beneficial to those affected by cognitive impairment.

“It was the music; it was the food; it was the colourful decorations — it touched on all (senses),” she tells the OMNIway.

“It was uplifting to see all of the colours, and it brought back reminiscing for anyone who had been to Hawaii, or who would like to go.”

Food served to residents included bite-sized ham and pineapple pizza, fruit kebabs and fruit punch. The event was part of the home’s monthly themed days, which are used to bring residents and staff members together in a fun environment.

Decorations throughout the home — inside and out — added to the day’s splendour. Residents wore leis, and brightly-coloured flowers adorned the home.

And, of course, there was Hawaiian music accompanying it all.

“Hawaiian Day was terrific; everyone loved it, even some of the residents who always complain were enjoying it,” jokes resident Sylvia Ericsson.

Mazzuca says that despite the elaborate decorations, the event was simple to host. For any long-term care home wishing to host a similar event, the local dollar store has pretty much everything you’ll need, right down to the grass skirts, she says.

The LEC is also inviting other OMNI Health Care homes to call her if they want to host a similar event.

“If the homes want to borrow our supplies, that’s not a problem,” she says.

If you have a story you would like to share with the OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.







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