Kentwood welcomes active group of seniors

New residents enjoy cards, outings, visiting with family

July 23, 2012 -- Natalie Hamilton

Playing euchre, going on outings and visiting with family are keeping a new, agile group of residents occupied at Kentwood Park.

Since January, the population of the OMNI Health Care long-term care home has changed substantially, Kentwood Park director of care (DOC) Kelly Lumley tells the OMNIway.

She says more than 40 per cent of the 45 residents are new to the home and are a busier, more active bunch.

“They seem a little healthier,” Lumley says.

Kentwood Park experienced an influx of new residents when another Picton long-term care home, Picton Manor, closed recently. 

To ensure Kentwood Park is meeting these residents’ needs, life enrichment co-ordinator Lisa Mills is building more group activities into programming, which is something the seniors are enjoying, Lumley says.

“We’ve shifted the activities a little bit. The (previous) Picton Manor residents know each other.” She says they naturally began playing card games, like euchre, when they moved into Kentwood Park.

The home recently hosted an alcohol-free martini party for the busy bunch. In addition, whenever the OMNI van is available, residents embrace the chance to go on an outing, the DOC says.

Lumley is pleasantly surprised to see an increase in family engagement as well. Some of the new residents have regular visitors and there are three family members who help out with activities in the home every day.

“It’s nice to see,” Lumley says. “For a long time, we didn’t even have a family council. It’s a nice change.”

Kentwood Park is planning to get the family council started again as a result of the new population.

If you have feedback on this article, e-mail natalie(at)axiomnews.ca or call the newsroom at 800-294-0051. 

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