UNITY — The spirit of Christmas was glowing in a joyful afternoon at Parkview Place enlisting residents in a work party for Christmas decoration creations in addition to holiday mail.
At Parkview Place senior assisted living facility, their motto could be “teamwork makes the dream work.” Whether it is processing harvested vegetables from their garden spaces or assembling treat bags at Halloween or for a local community Christmas kids’ activity, residents and staff work together.
Activities for residents don’t always include structured, themed entertainment, exercise programs or special parties. Activity also includes tasks that embrace the meaning of “many hands make light work.”
Nov. 23 was such a day at this senior centre in Unity. Parkview residents were enlisted in writing and assembling Christmas greeting cards for former Parkview residents who are now living in Unity’s Long Term Care facility. In addition to the cards, little Christmas tree ornaments were created using quilting scraps.
These former residents were in their thoughts and in the spirit of Christmas giving, Parkview Place Manager Paula Sittler recognized the feel-good moments that would be elicited by both the giver and the receiver in taking on this project.
“We worked on this project to both bring and send love with our Christmas cheer.”
In addition to their creations intended for their mail-out initiative, residents were also tasked with creating wreaths to adorn their halls to add a festive flair to their environment. Wreaths were also constructed using quilting scraps.
The importance of enlisting seniors in productive activity offers a number of benefits including social engagement, a sense of purpose and improving emotional and physical wellness. Cognitive function also benefits from variety in activity undertaken.
Parkview Place builds relationships in their centre's community by involving residents in multiple activities not geared to any specific age, gender or ability. Group projects are always well attended and the happiness factor is evident in photos posted on social media that show a round of smiles all around.
You can follow all the latest news and activities undertaken at Parkview Place on their Facebook page.
