Menu
Provision Living communities are excited to share “Joyful Moments” to celebrate National Assisted Living Week, kicking off September 11, 2022. This week is a chance for residents, families, caregivers, activities teams, and staff to showcase the important role that assisted living communities play in their lives. The 2022 theme of “Joyful Moments” resonated strongly with members of the Provision Living team as they strive for impactful, shared experiences every day.
Jamie Nell, Executive Director of Provision Living West Chester, recalls one particularly memorable experience with a resident. While speaking with a newer senior in the community, Nell learned this resident loved the outdoors, and had a special interest in birds. Working with her team, Jamie had a hummingbird feeder installed in one of the community gardens. The impact of this addition was immediately noticeable for this resident. “Just to see the excitement that she showed, we were all so extremely happy,” Nell says. Even better, this resident is now taking on a role in the planning and care of several of the outdoor spaces at the community. This engagement was impactful not only for this new senior, but for the other community members and her loved ones as well. “The family was very pleased with what we’ve done and how far we’ve come with her coming out of her room and participating,” Nell explains.
It is a common theme that Joyful Moments can start with one individual and then spread to the entire community. Maintenance Manager Ryan Burg describes his experiences reminiscing with one of the Memory Care residents about high school football. “We get out the football and turn the Memory Care unit into a practice field. Sometimes we have games with the other residents and it’s a lot of fun,” describes Burg. These shared experiences help create deep connections between members of the community and the care team.
Some joyful moments are much more personal to one individual. Judy McVey, Concierge for Provision Living at West Chester, describes a conversation she had with a newer resident who was feeling anxious and finding it difficult to settle into her room at night. McVey took the resident out to her desk where they had a long, in-depth conversation about her feelings and her life. The conversation soon moved from anxieties to joys, with the help of a little chocolate. “She was able to go back and relive some joyous occasions from her life and share those with me,” says McVey. That conversation and personal connection helped the resident feel more comfortable and at home.
National Assisted Living Week runs September 11–17. Multiple events and activities will be featured across Provision Living communities to celebrate. Participants can share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #NALW. Established in 1995, this annual celebration serves to better educate the public about the benefits of assisted living. More information is available on the National Center for Assisted Living website.
