The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2024 www.ohca.com 8 FEATURE Hillyer has worked at The Springs at Happy Valley since it opened two years ago. consistently participating, the resident says she’s experienced significant improvements in managing her anxiety and feels more present and engaged in daily life.” These are simple additions to a residents’ daily routine that can lead to improved health outcomes, despite minimal intervention. Another aspect of well-being that is important to nourish is social connection. At The Springs at Happy Valley, Hillyer hosts ‘Lilly’s Kitchen,’ a twice-weekly cooking demonstration that she leads for residents. “It has become a gathering space for residents who feel at home in their kitchen. It’s not only just a place for them to have tasty snacks, but to build those social connections, and bond over recipes. It might just seem like normal programming, but it goes a little bit deeper to where we can have this space that our residents feel very safe, supported, and heard, even if it’s just a cooking demonstration.” It is imperative to offer a wide range of wellness-related activities for residents to choose from, so they have the agency to participate in ones that best fulfill them and suit their needs. From meditation to cooking demonstrations, Moretti-Aceves and Hillyer are incorporating engaging ways to get residents excited about activities geared towards improving their overall well-being. Incorporating Accommodations When people think about mindfulness and wellness, they typically picture yoga, taking a walk, or stretching. In a long term care community, those types of activities may not be feasible for certain residents who have mobility restrictions. Creativity is required by the staff to come up with alternative solutions that achieve similar health outcomes as taking a walk or yoga. “We are committed to ensuring all of our residents, regardless of their physical ability, have access to wellness-based experiences,” Moretti-Aceves says. “For those unable to participate in traditional movement-based activities, we offer alternative programs that focus on mental and emotional well-being.” These activities can include guided meditation sessions, mindfulness discussions, and music therapy. The Watermark at The Pearl has even incorporated virtual reality-based experiences for those with mobility restrictions! The Springs at Happy Valley shares this sentiment that a resident’s level of mobility should not be a barrier to participating in these activities. “This belief is why we designed programming that spans across all eight dimensions of wellness, offering alternatives to meet different needs. For those who can’t take part in traditional physical activities, we offer chair yoga and balloon badminton. At Footsteps, we offer hand massages. Those with any sort of physical condition can still get an aspect of physical wellness,” says Hillyer. “Emotional and social wellness are fostered through programs like Mindful Mandalas » FEATURE, CONT. “Residents are more likely to engage with a program if they feel it speaks to their personal preferences and passions.” – Lilly Hillyer, The Springs at Happy Valley
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