THE ACTIVITY DEPARTMENT WANTS TO KEEP YOU ON THE MOVE:
Happy Wednesday and August! Well, these times continue to be unprecedented! I hear residents say, "I have never lived through times quite like this" - what a true statement! Please remember that you are surrounded by people who care about you very much and are here to offer a helping hand or an ear - just ask!
The Activity Department will slowly start offering group activities in the Main Living Room and the Main Dining Room. For example, we will start doing Bingos at your designated meal spot; the cards used will be from your specific unit - we will continue to operate with one card per person for now. We may need to make adjustments but together we can make this change work. :)
BIRTHDAY TEA:
August's Birthday Tea will again be modified to one-on-one visits on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 19th. Although we are not able to host a regular birthday, our friends at the Cleveland Women's Institute provided lovely cards for the residents. Thank you to those who make these donations happen. Happy Birthday to those celebrating this month!
bingo:
Manning Basement, Manning and Shaw 2, and Shaw 3 residents are invited to play Bingo in the Main Dining Room on Saturday, August 1st, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.. Manning and Shaw 1 and Shaw 4 residents are invited to play in the Main Living Room at 10:00 a.m.. As mentioned above, please sit in your assigned seat as you would for meals. Please refer to the Weekly Activity Calendars for future bingo dates! :)
harpist:
On Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at 1:30 p.m., a harpist named Jessica Paradis will be in the Main Living Room to serenade Manning and Shaw 1 and 4 residents. At 2:30 p.m., Manning and Shaw 2 and Apartment residents are invited for their showing.
Please let the Activity Department know if you have questions about group activities. Please note that we continue to ensure physical distancing and other COVID-19-related measures.
music:
On Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 a musician named Bob will be here playing the Handpan, which resembles a wok and makes beautiful sound. I recommend you come experience this beautiful instrument's sound at the following times and locations:
- 9:30 a.m. - Norton 1
- 10:00 a.m. - Norton 2
- 10:30 a.m. - Norton 3
Please note that Monday and Tuesday's music is generously provided through the "Culture for Seniors" project and "Le vent dans les arts" group. We send a heartfelt thanks to both these organizations!
wiggle your toes Day:
Thursday, August 6th is Wiggle your Toes Day! This day encourages you to give your little piggies some exercise. Those ten extremities are dying for a little freedom! Cramped up in shoes daily, your stinky toes just do not get the chance to move about as they would like!
Celebrate Wiggle your Toes Day by airing them out and wiggling them around. The best place to wiggle your toes on a hot August day is in the pool or a dock with your feet in the water!
Did yiou know that toes are unique? Like people, toes come in many shapes and sizes. There is even a small percentage of the population who have webbed toes!
Taken from Holiday Insights.
lazy day:
Monday, August 10th is Lazy Day! Roll out those inactive, hazy summer days! Lazy Day is your chance to goof off and not work. The holiday comes at a good time; hot, muggy weather makes kicking back and being sluggish for a day easy! If summer chores are not done by now, they can just wait one more day. This day is best spent on a hammock along with your favourite summer beverage. We respectfully disagree with the person who coined the phrase "There are no lazy days, just lazy people;" today is proof that lazy days do exist, which is good! If you like the idea of this day, you will also look forward to Relaxation Day which is also coming up!
Taken from Holiday Insights.
barbecue:
On Wednesday, August 12th, 2020, a Barbecue will be served at lunch time in your regular meal location.
corn on the cob:
On Thursday, August 13th, 2020, corn on the cob will be served at lunch time in your regular meal location.
world daffodil day:
Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 is World Daffodil Day. The goals of this day are to raise awareness of cancer and how to avoid this disease, increase funds for cancer research, boost education, and help those most affected by this deadly and devastating disease. Daffodils symbolize this fight against cancer because they are the worldwide sign of life.
Taken from Holiday Insights.
just because day:
Thursday, August 27th is Just Because Day. Finally, you have a chance to do something without rhyme or reason. Most often, we do things because we have to, we want to, or it is expected of us. None of these reasons apply today. Is there something you would like to do, but there is no erason or logic for doing so? Well, today is the day to go out and do something just because. Activities are most enjoyable if they are uncommon or unexpected. Perhaps you have something in mind. If not, just go with the first thing that comes to mind. Just because activities often come from a whim or a "what if I" type of thought. We know you will quickly get the hang of this day and have lots of fun. To get you started, here are some suggestions for Just Because Day:
- Take an unplanned vacation day
- Visit someone you have not seen in a while
- Knock on someone's door and compliment them for their great lawn
- Skip, do not walk
- Spin a wheel and bicycle in the opposite direction of where the arrow points
- Buy something you do not need
- Jump in a puddle
- Walk backwards
- Send someone flowers
Taken from Holiday Insights.
music:
On Saturday, August 29th, 2020, there will be Music in the following locations:
- Main Dining Room for Manning Basement, Manning and Shaw 2, and Shaw 3 residents at 9:00 a.m.
- Main Living Room for Manning and Shaw 1 and Shaw 4 residents at 10:00 a.m.
- Norton 1 at 10:40 a.m.
- Norton 2 at 11:00 a.m.
- Norton 3 at 11:20 a.m.
exercise class:
The Therapy Department resumed Exercise Class for Home residents. The CHSLD units work out through activities such as balloon toss and big ball.
friday treats:
As residents should not congregate, we now offer Friday Treats on Friday afternoons. Like other events, this this activity will be offered on the various units. Thank you to the Kitchen personnel for homemade goodies and to our Purchaser, Jean-Marc, who buys very special delicacies such as ice cream on a stick, cake, and chippie treats.
sunday church service:
We are aware of pastoral services' importance at the Wales. We work diligently to find creative ways to offer these rites. A Sunday Church Service is offered on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. on Channel Eighty, through TV Tours. A Catholic service is offered at 3:00 p.m. on the same channel. In-person church services have not yet resumed at the Wales. A sincere thank you to Reverand Lee-Ann Hogle for her weekly United Services.
virtual visits:
To break social isolation during this difficult time, we offer FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Google Duo, Skype, and Teams for residents and family members to connect. If none of these platforms are accessible for you, Chase has other options. If you wish to participate, please contact me or Chase and we will arrange a visit. Thus far, these communication tools have garnered positive feedback.
tuck shop:
The Tuck Shop is now open with scheduled times. Please refer to the plan below:
cecil's errand service:
Cecil resumed his errand service and will be here on Wednesday, August 12th and Wednesday, August 26th. Thank you, Cecil, for this aid!
little market:
Apartment residents are the only residents permitted to purchase items from the Little Market. Other residents may obtain their possessions through Cecil's errand service.
earth day planting:
Let me just say that Phase Three was a huge success despite the hot, dry weather we had. The sunflowers we planted are growing like Jack's beanstalk. They are taller than I am and the four-o'clocks are flowering; there are snapdragons, among others. Gardening has been a fun and ever-evolving activity - thanks to those who participated!
Carol Ann McElrea
Activity Coordinator and Social Intervenor
819-826-3266 extension 244
