Senior Assisted Living Blog

A Hawaiian breeze is blowing through the Mt. Vernon GreenTree community, nestled in the Western Illinois countryside, near the popular resort area of Rend Lake. The annual Hawaiian Luau buffet celebration is set for August 24, and will feature Hawaiian music, food and festive island dress to mark the end of a pleasant summer.

Among the August event schedule at GreenTree Mt. Vernon, the luau is certainly a highlight, but in the facility's effort to refresh residents with enjoyable activities other dates to remember include August 16th, when Legacy Therapy will have a health presentation, and August 23, when the Barbershop Chorus will perform.

Fun times are certainly a great thing year round, but the challenge of getting involved in activities for some seniors centers on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To stay active, participate in events and feel good, all of the Provision Living communities encourage exercise, stretching and active physical therapy to address those aches, pains and other nagging issues.

A great story from GreenTree Mt. Vernon developed as a result of one resident getting involved in therapy earlier this year as part of a fresh rehab of a stroke some 20 years ago. Simple activities such as using a wash cloth, and holding a fork and knife have become much easier for the resident since she began working with Legacy's therapists.

"I feel very good about myself, now, and I'm confident I can win the battle to be able to do things every day," said the Mt. Vernon resident.

Of course, the connection between staying active and enjoying events such as social gatherings is not lost on us, and we will probaby discover more links between physical health and fun social events as we explore the local stories at our communities in more detail over the weeks to come.

(Image Courtesy of Jaycross on Flickr)