First Skilled Nursing Facility Group Enjoys Picnic at the Pear Tree Patio

On Friday, August 11, we hosted for the first time a skilled nursing facility group from Masconomet Nursing Center – just 3.2 miles down the road from us. From 11am to 1:30pm the group of 18 (11 residents, 2 Family Caregivers, 2 Activities Staff, 2 CNAs, and 1 Volunteer) enjoyed a picnic at the Pear Tree Patio, followed by explorations in the garden. Before leaving us, Renee Hutchinson, Activities Director, shared, “What I liked most was not having a lot of other things going on around us.” She motioned with both hands indicating a busier environment with multiple distractions. I smiled and reflected, “You liked that the space was reserved for you.” “Yes!” She indicated they may return again in the fall.
I was relieved and pleased that the group ratio of residents to helpers was high enough to ensure safety and a quality time for all. One thing that surprised us about the group visit was how articulate and opinionated the residents were. For example, some expressed a wish for a different packed lunch option and the activities staff obliged with making a trip back to town to pick up pizza.
The group of 11 nursing home residents was transported to and from our property by Lyons Ambulance. The driver didn’t park the van at our home, but rather served the group by dropping off/picking up. This helped with our limited parking situation.
Karl and I are considering this new connection with our local nursing home as a way to better understand what is required for us to host other nursing home groups in the future.
It heals my heart to host at our home and gardens groups from long-term-care facilities. This is truly a sea change from 1998 and again in 2008 when my grandmother and mother lived at care facilities in their final years. Despite regularly taking them out of “the place” on a regular basis, my heart would ache to hear them screaming and pleading, “Get me out of here!” It is really great to witness an Activities Director like Renee making the effort to get the residents out for fresh air.
Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary