Bess Herman, mother of Robin Straus, is a resident of the Seiden Unit of the Jewish Home. She has lived there for four years, on what is called the “Free Spirit Wing.” At the beginning of this year, Robin was invited, along with three other family members from the Seiden Unit, to join an interdisciplinary team comprised of administration and staff from all departments of the Jewish Home. The purpose of the team was to come up with ways to make the “Free Spirit Wing” feel more homelike, help the wonderful staff find even more ways to be compassionately interactive and caring, and to provide more music and sensory programs to the recreation calendar for this “community.”
![[photo]](images/spiri01.jpg)
To help with this lofty goal, we were lucky to have the assistance of Amy Matthews of the Alzheimer’s Association who made presentations to all the families who have loved ones on the Seiden Unit.
If you take a walk on the unit, you will see a lot of changes that have been instituted in the past months. We have a mission statement (created by the entire team) hanging outside the dining/activity room. A big, bright Family Message Board features information of interest to all family members as well as photos taken during family visits. Within the dining/activity area a beautiful sensory room has been created and offers a calm, peaceful atmosphere to those who visit. Around the unit you’ll see “rummaging baskets” and areas with items meant to stimulate memory and the senses.
Families are encouraged to reach out and interact with one another during visits. New families are welcomed with a call from a “more seasoned” family member through a newly instituted buddy system.
Staff training and education seminars will continue with Amy Matthews. In addition, family members are encouraged to be as involved as they feel comfortable. They may share a favorite recipe, read a story, sing or play an instrument, or share other talents with the residents. Families are always welcome to share in the weekly activities offered by the Recreation staff.
We’re still a work-in-progress, but things are “warming up” on the Seiden Unit, and that makes all of us smile.