Once safety and basic comfort are established, retirement-living and assisted-living residents are usually most concerned with the kinds of activities available to them. Whether it involves music, a shopping trip, a game of cards, or just getting together to watch a ball game, access to a variety of activities is a key component in choosing a satisfying retirement community.
Residents at Sun Valley Lodge show a special affinity for activities involving food and music. They gather for parties, coffee socials, and to listen to the many musical acts who perform at the Lodge on a regular basis.
Prospective residents often want to know what goes into the planning of activities. Bernadette Gromowski, the Lodge’s Activities Coordinator, has over 20 years of activities planning experience. She says the key to good activities planning is properly assessing residents’ abilities and interests. “I take a good look at their physical capabilities and find out about their interests.”
A sense of community is a prime result of good activity planning. Marcia Gunnell, Sun Valley Lodge Resident Services Director, says, “Socialization is the most important function of activities. Often our residents have been living alone or at least been somewhat isolated. The variety of activity choices and new friends really revitalizes people.”
This makes the monthly activities board at the Lodge the place for residents to plan their weekly agendas. The board is located in a heavily traversed hallway and residents stop frequently at the board to discuss their activity options and make plans.
“Activities don’t just kill time,” explains Bernadette. “They bring it to life again. Activities bring joy and smiles to faces sometimes lost in the aging process. They help bring each day back to life.”
Residents at Sun Valley Lodge show a special affinity for activities involving food and music. They gather for parties, coffee socials, and to listen to the many musical acts who perform at the Lodge on a regular basis.
Prospective residents often want to know what goes into the planning of activities. Bernadette Gromowski, the Lodge’s Activities Coordinator, has over 20 years of activities planning experience. She says the key to good activities planning is properly assessing residents’ abilities and interests. “I take a good look at their physical capabilities and find out about their interests.”
A sense of community is a prime result of good activity planning. Marcia Gunnell, Sun Valley Lodge Resident Services Director, says, “Socialization is the most important function of activities. Often our residents have been living alone or at least been somewhat isolated. The variety of activity choices and new friends really revitalizes people.”
This makes the monthly activities board at the Lodge the place for residents to plan their weekly agendas. The board is located in a heavily traversed hallway and residents stop frequently at the board to discuss their activity options and make plans.
“Activities don’t just kill time,” explains Bernadette. “They bring it to life again. Activities bring joy and smiles to faces sometimes lost in the aging process. They help bring each day back to life.”
