One of the ways we do this is through integrating animals and visits from children in the care home. Most people respond to animals with very positive emotions. Our residents’ faces light up and they love stroking the soft fur of cats and dogs. It is not just our residents who enjoy animals, there is research to suggest that animal therapy provides tangible benefits to elders and elders with dementia in particular. According to this review, studies show that the presence of animals reduces aggression and agitation and promotes social interaction. There is even some evidence to suggest that animals can encourage better eating at meal times. Other possible benefits of animal therapy include increased exercise and mobility (ex. throwing a ball, grooming, short walks) and of course, pleasure.

Because of the obvious benefits of animal interactions, we have tried to integrate animals of all kinds into our care homes. Currently at Magnolia we have a pair of parakeets that keep the air lively with bird chatter. Next door at Primrose, three zebra finches flit about  in their habitat and their soft tweets add a pleasant ambiance. Outside our garden frequently welcomes wild birds and butterflies. The owner’s dog, Roxy, also loves to come visit the residents and warm their laps.

Our next step is to add permanent pets to the care homes that residents can help care for and feel ownership over. To this end, we recently adopted two white mini poodle puppy brothers. They are hypoallergenic, loving, and the perfect size for a lap dog. Once they are completely trained they will move to the care home to be permanent therapy dogs. For now, they come by for short visits to get used to the home and the equipment they might see her. We couldn’t resist snapping this picture of one of our residents and a puppy, both of whom have cast right now for breaks. Dont’ worry, both are healing!

So, what is a drum circle? A drum circle can mean lots of different things, Basically its any group of people playing percussion in a circle. The focus is on the event itself, not practicing for a performance or attempting to make an actual song. Here is a great quotation from Mickey Hart, Grateful Dead drummer, during a testimony before the United States Special Committee on Aging,

Typically people gather to drum in drum “circles” wiht others from the surrounding community. The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. It includes people of all ages. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with each other and themselves. To form a group consciousness. To entrain and resonate. By entertainment, I mean that a new voice, a collective voice, emerges from the group as they drum together.

Why do a drum circle? Well there are lots of benefits to this form of expression and music! They include:

• Loosening stiff joints in the arms and hands
• Improving circulation in the arms and hands
• Providing an easily accessible mild exercise
• Stimulating the mind with music
• Building a sense of group identiy
• Can easily be done as an intergenerational activty with youth.
• Really fun, many say it “makes them feel young again”

So, what do you need to start your own drum circle? While fancy African drums and bongos would be wonderful, you can also find many other less expensive instruments. In fact, it’s nice to have a variety of percussion instruments since every participant may have a different capabilities with their hands and arms and different interests. Here are some things we used last night that worked out great

• large metal coffee cans for drumming. Oatmeal cartons work too!
• small glass bottles filled with beans or other small objects
• hatboxes (they make great makeshift drums!)
• maracas ( often inexpensive)
• a stick rubbed on the outside of a ridged coffee can
• get creative!

Have you ever been a part of a drum circle? What instruments would YOU add?

The Santa Maria Baseball team and the Residents of Magnolia

On Sunday we were visited at Magnolia & Primrose by the Santa Maria Baseball Club U14.  The team showed off some of their baseball skills with a short practice. Afterwards they joined residents in a game of catch. We snapped a great picture of Ms. Jeanne throwing a ball back!

Jeanne has a great arm!

The baseball exposition was followed by pizza with the team and the residents in our party barn. Check out our slideshow for more pictures!

At the end of the visit they received a donation from the care home to help cover the costs of their fall league. Check out the story from the Santa Maria Times.

Joey Halsell plays on the team and is the grandson of owners Chuck & Margie Halsell. Thank you Joey for bringing your team by! Good luck in your next season.

One way we are preparing is  by starting a walking club! Participating employees receive a pedometer and are put into a drawing for prizes when they reach over 10,000 steps in a day. However, walking your way to health isn’t just for the young!

•  Did you know taking at least 10,000 steps a day can help improve your health and reduce the risk of chronic disease?
• Did you know the average person only takes about 2,000 to 4,000 steps a day?
• Pedometers are economical and a great way to track your daily activity

• A Huge porch with cozy lounge chairs
• Views of the valley, lawn, rustic barn, and rose garden
• Gourmet kitchen
• A big living room with high ceilings
• Fully fenced and secure for the safety of our residents.

Please call to come and check out our new facility! We would love to have you visit.

Check out our pictures. It looks like a pizza parlor at Magnolia. Do you celebrate May Day?

What are your favorite icons of Easter?

Image by sachman75 via Flickr

All last week and this week we are celebrating Chinese New Year at Magnolia. Celebrating holidays and learning about other cultures is a great way to keep the mind engaged and free from boredom. Here are some of the goings-on at Magnolia  right now to welcome the year of the rabbit.

• What is your animal? Are you a rabbit? Find out here.
• Study of mandarin oranges- most popular fruit during Chinese New Year
• Armchair travels to the Great Wall of China
• Stories about rabbits
• The Arts: Rabbit paints, red envelopes and lanterns

People born in the year of the rabbit are supposedly gracious, good friends, kind, and sensitive. What does the Chinese Zodiac say your personality is like?

Activities included gingerbread men, painting sugar cookies, lots of games for the kids, and making ornaments for the tree. There was also a moving performance of traditional carols by the Righetti Madrigals.

Check out a slideshow of some of the pictures of the festivities!

The holidays can be a stressful time for families when their loved one is experiencing Alzheimers or other forms of memory loss. However, it can also be a great time to reminisce with your loved one about Holiday traditions. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association for a great article about coping during the holidays.

In order to honor our caregivers and other caregivers in the community, we are holding a “Blessing of Hands” Ceremony at the Halsell Barn at 4630 Song Ln. We invite all our families to come and help us thank our caregivers for their sacred work. We also invite other caregivers in the community to come and be honored. Clergy will be on hand to help us give thanks for our caregivers and bless their hands for the work they have done and will do.

BlessingofHands Flyer 2010

Please RSVP to Larissa : larissahalsell@slresources.com