They say a picture paints a thousand words. We wanted to share some positive, inspirational uplifting photos from this past week. At Springhouse, we are doing everything to keep our residents engaged and happy during the shelter in place requirements. The world is a very different place right now, and it is hard to explain to some residents who simply don’t understand. But we are succeeding and making a difference.
We are aware of the numerous studies that show even in everyday life, loneliness — the painful perception of not having meaningful connections with others — has serious health effects. We recognize these concerns and have adjusted our activities to keep our residents engaged. We have learned many ways to stay connected with each other, our residents, and with you our families. So here is a look back at this past week!
We started Zooming! Our first zoom session was an Art History Lecture by Jane Blair featuring Impressionism. Then Dan Hart performed standard “live” on guitar and took requests – Broadway show tunes and uplifting sing-along songs like, “You are My Sunshine” were by far the most requested! This past week, we marked the end our Women’s History Month documentary series with a viewing of Women At War, 1939-1945. Our Book Club met in two sessions to discuss “The Boys in the Boat” while social distancing.
A live Chi Gong flow workshop was led by Lea Tenneriello, one of our residents. It helped to loosen up our minds and bodies! Social distancing was, of course, observed as well. We realize that self-care is very important during these unprecedented times.
Residents took advantage of open art studio time. One resident made jewelry while others made ceramic mushrooms that will soon live in our much-anticipated garden. In Allen House, we celebrated the beginning of National Humor Month with a creative April Fool’s Day schedule and jokes shared one on one. Again, from a social distance, we honored what should have been the start of baseball season with Abbott and Costello Who’s on First.
Our “Mix NOT Mingle”mobile happy hour brought Quarantini mocktails to all – they were full of vitamin C to boost our immune systems!
Great Courses took us to the Louvre to view the work of Rubens and other Flemish artists. We rounded out the week with a viewing of Verdi’s Don Carlo presented by the Met Opera!
Lastly, we are don’t want anyone left out. We have heard from a few people that they are not receiving our emails. We have triple checked our database to make sure every email address we have has been entered to receive emails. If you know someone who has not received our emails, please ask them to email kpollack@springhouseboston.org, and we will gladly add them. Also, please ask them to check their spam or junk mail folders. We’ve experienced that many timely important emails do go to junk depending on your system.
And, please email us photos about what you did this past week! We would love to show our residents.
As a last word of the week, please stay healthy, stay home and wash your hands. Last quote of the week, which was by Maya Angelou but one that Karen Levy, IL Activities
Coordinator, shared: “Every storm runs out of rain.”
As always, sending virtual hugs to all of you from all the staff at Springhouse.
