Sharon Moreland

Review of Virginia Mennonite Retirement ...

Woodland Greenhouse home is beautiful, and clean. ...

Woodland Greenhouse home is beautiful, and clean. RN s and Doctors on staff are exceptional. Meals are good and most of the staff are very caring people. Activities for residents are non stimulating and almost non existent. A calendar of activities is given out each month. However, the activities are rarely done. Some activities require residents to be moved outside to another building in winter weather. One of the main calendar activities is by a relative of a resident, not an activity that is being supplied by VMRC. The residents really enjoy this visit Our family has had many meetings with the administration about increasing stimulating activities. Activities ( there are many more than I m suggesting here) including those such as Simon Says, reading of very short stories, stimulating conversations, recalling events in the past which would initiate conversation from residents, as well as playing soft music on CD s and using a tv station that plays videos of peaceful scenes with very relaxing yoga music. Music can be as beneficial as medication to the elderly.
When discussing the care of our mother, and made family suggestions concerning activities, we were told by the VMRC Social Worker that if we were dissatisfied we could always find another facility for our mother. We are very concerned about her response.
The Activities Director does not check to see if any activities are being done. She also needs help in providing activities that are appropriate rather than depending on family members to provide stimulating activities for this Woodland Home. When visiting the home, the CNA s are constantly working with the residents care. If they are responsible for any activities, VMRC should provide extra personnel to move from house to house providing those activities. Our family has read stories, decorated cookies, dyed eggs, provided therapy dog visits, as well as initiating stimulating conversations of memories past.
I am posting this in hopes that VMRC will evaluate the activities program and the persons in charge.