Caring is a Daily Activity
January 29, 2024 | Assisted Living, Health & Wellness, Kline Galland Home, Kline Galland Staff
Activity professionals do more than post calendars and don birthday hats; they work to enrich the physical, emotional, and social well-being of residents every day. They balance the needs of individuals and groups, organizing many different events that make a positive impact on residents’ lives. Often considered the heart and soul of communities, Kline Galland’s activity experts are unique in their innovation, inspiration, and involvement.
At Kline Galland, activity professionals are not only masters of ceremonies, as they are at most other residences. Most of our activity professionals are also licensed social workers. Their education and training in human development and behavior means they are experts at supporting our residents. They take time to get to know each person, learning about their lives before they came to live in the community. As Lauren Wolfe, Memory Care Program Director at Kline Galland, explains, “If I see someone is having a challenging day, I might bring them chocolate ice cream and a Gene Kelly movie because I know it’s something that will cheer them up.” It’s a team effort and the focus is always on the residents’ best quality of life.
Creating vibrant, engaging programs means finding new ways to connect. Larger-scale events give residents something to look forward to and a chance to visit with friends. To celebrate the 2023 Lunar New Year, which kicked off the year of the rabbit, our team hired a specialist who brought in rabbits for pet therapy. A luau with dancers was a spin on “dinner and a show.” Our ongoing Eldergrow gardening classes provide evidence-based therapeutic horticulture. The sensory garden supports meaningful interaction. All of the programs give residents something to talk about for a long time; they also motivate our activity professionals to keep thinking big.
It may be the individualized care that is most inspiring – and shows how combining the social worker and activity professional roles is truly groundbreaking. Lauren remembers a new resident who had come to Kline Galland for hospice care; he was non-verbal, and she interviewed family members to discover more about him. One of their fondest recollections was that he would take family members rock collecting on the East Coast. So, Lauren brought in her own rocks from when she was a kid, to share; she thought the rocks’ texture might be an appreciated memory. The resident touched the first rock and said, “That’s an agate.” And Lauren knew he had much to say.
It may sound cliché, but activity professionals are all about creating joy for others. When asked what she most loves about her position, Lauren explained, “It’s taking what may be a difficult time and demonstrating that there is still quality of life, joy, and beauty to be found. There’s still so much fun to happen – physically, mentally, whatever. We love to see the residents experience that that and the families relax, knowing that their loved ones are still able to enjoy themselves and have a good time.”
Caring is a daily activity. Kline Galland’s activity professionals bring their heart and soul to it every day for the people they serve.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our activity professionals at Kline Galland Home: Sarah Andrews, Lindsey Beauchamp, Laurie Garber, Mica Maltos, and Lauren Wolfe.
###
Sources: personal interview with Lauren Wolfe; National Association of Activity Professionals; National Association of Social Workers; Eldergrow.
