Dec
30
What The Lion King has in common with FSA Peer Groups.
“Pink pajamas penguins at the bottom. Pink paja-“
Oh... you mean those aren’t the words to the song at the beginning of The Lion King?
Filtered by author: Anna Ferguson Clear Filter
Who would have thought that a horse could change a life? Andy Switzer did. Though he’s been Director of Health and Wellness with Broadmead for three years, it was at his previous job where he first saw the benefit of involving residents in Equine Therapy. So, when the opportunity presented itself for Broadmead to begin working with horses, the organization collaborated with John Hopkins University to develop an individualized Equine Therapy program.
Now, in partnership with locally based Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, Broadmead runs five-week therapy programs in the spring and fall. Residents who are diagnosed with Dementia or another cognitive impairment are chosen because of their interest in or experience with horses. Residents’ families are involved in the decision-making process in conjunction with a sign-off from Broadmead's Medical Director.
Participating residents get the opportunity to participate in the care of the horses with a focus on groomsmanship: one resident even got to give a horse a haircut! During their time in the program, each resident gets to work with one particular horse for the duration of the five weeks and receives a photo of their horse to take home with them. Those who are wheelchair bound, or those who may have trouble standing for long periods of time, get to work with one of the program’s two mini-horses.
According to Andy, the most exciting thing about the program is seeing evidence that patients are benefiting. In the two years that Broadmead has been running the program, Andy noted the vibrancy of the residents who participate. He shared the story of a mostly non-verbal gentleman who became more verbal when he was with the horses, including sharing details of memories from working with horses earlier in his life. The gentleman’s wife was particularly astonished as they were details she herself hadn’t heard. This experience was not limited to this gentleman alone, Andy remembered another woman who was non-verbal who began to smile more, put sentences together, and remember the horses' names during her time in the program.
If you give a horse a haircut – the residents might benefit!
Member Buzz
Category: FSA
Dec
30
We polled staff at each and every FSA member organization to see what stood out for them most last year. The answers varied, but one thing was for certain: staff members sure are proud of what's happening at their organizations! Below are some highlights.
Tell us about an act of kindness you witnessed at your organization.
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FSA Happenings 2020
Category: FSA
Dec
23
The end of year is always busy: projects come to a close and new ones are dreamed up. Here’s a quick recap of recent happenings, and a look to what’s ahead…
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Warm Holiday Wishes from FSA
Category: FSA
Dec
18
Happy Holidays from your friends at FSA!
Dec
12
Can we talk about your Board of Directors?
Like many organizations, your board is likely full of educated, insightful folks who are brimming with passion and dedication for the work you do.
Yet even the most functional of boards is not immune to miscommunication, conflict or other snafus.
With this in mind, our President/CEO Jane Mack penned the article "Principles of Good Governance," a guide to the potential governance pitfalls that might occur−and how to avoid them.
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Aug
27
Values Ignited
Foxdale Village Summits Reinvigorate Personal Connections to Core Values
Foxdale Village Summits Reinvigorate Personal Connections to Core Values
Community. Inclusion. Engagement. Acceptance. Caring. Stewardship. Fulfillment. These are the seven core values of Foxdale Village Retirement Community in State College, PA.
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FSA New Board Members
Category: Meet the FSA Board
Jun
05
FSA Appoints New Board Members, Board Chair
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Diversity Peer Group
Category: Member Innovations
Jun
05
Earlier this month, a group of FSA members gathered with co-facilitators Marsha Wesley Coleman and consultant Michael Gagné to talk about their organizations’ efforts to implement diversity programming. Gagné presented the following guidelines to assist organizations.
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In case you missed it...
Category: Member Innovations
Jun
05
FSA Annual Meeting and Dementia Symposium. View photos here. Video of they keynotes and panel to come!
Read More
Feb
13
Dianna Rienstra has been reflecting on her career. As she finds herself on the verge of retirement from her position as Chief Financial Officer with Friends Life Care, she can say with certainty that she feels satisfied with the path she has taken and the impact her work through the years has had on others.
She’s come a long way. Starting off as an Accounting graduate from Montclair State University, flexibility was key as she made her way through a male-dominated industry. In one of her first positions, Rienstra was one of just two females in her entire company. When it came time for her to go out on maternity leave, there was no policy set. “The head of Human Resources—who was the other female employee—said to me, ‘how long do you think your leave should be?’ We figured it out from there!”
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Feb
13
Now, in partnership with locally based Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, Broadmead runs five-week therapy programs in the spring and fall. Residents who are diagnosed with Dementia or another cognitive impairment are chosen because of their interest in or experience with horses. Residents’ families are involved in the decision-making process in conjunction with a sign-off from Broadmead's Medical Director.
Participating residents get the opportunity to participate in the care of the horses with a focus on groomsmanship: one resident even got to give a horse a haircut! During their time in the program, each resident gets to work with one particular horse for the duration of the five weeks and receives a photo of their horse to take home with them. Those who are wheelchair bound, or those who may have trouble standing for long periods of time, get to work with one of the program’s two mini-horses.
According to Andy, the most exciting thing about the program is seeing evidence that patients are benefiting. In the two years that Broadmead has been running the program, Andy noted the vibrancy of the residents who participate. He shared the story of a mostly non-verbal gentleman who became more verbal when he was with the horses, including sharing details of memories from working with horses earlier in his life. The gentleman’s wife was particularly astonished as they were details she herself hadn’t heard. This experience was not limited to this gentleman alone, Andy remembered another woman who was non-verbal who began to smile more, put sentences together, and remember the horses' names during her time in the program.
If you give a horse a haircut – the residents might benefit!
Nov
13
Through his career, Medford Leas CEO Jeremy Vickers has experienced the cultures of senior living organizations across the United States. In his travels, he has noted similarities among them: the way the organization is structured, the types of work they do. The most successful ones offer services that are reflective of their particular area’s standards and desires. “They have a local flavor that shines through,” he says.
He has also seen the differences. From simple contrasts like architecture—“in Los Angeles, everything is vertical”—to deeper distinctions such as an organization’s values and the philosophies that guide the way they go about their work. And how, despite seeing success in one region, a particular program or approach may fall flat somewhere else.
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Nov
13
Chef Steve Plescha is not afraid to try something new. A highly ranked graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in 1977, he has been bringing his culinary innovations to Pennswood Village for the past 13 years. Anyone who has dined there would have no doubt of his technical ability, but his passion cannot be quantified. After speaking with him for just a moment, Chef Steve’s passion for his work is evident – his robust sustainable fishing program is bolstered by his knowledge, local connections, and the support of the community in which he works.
To ensure the quality of the seafood he serves to residents, Chef Steve takes a number of things into consideration. While being mindful of habitat, the effects of weather, and trends, he works locally with Samuels and Son, a Philadelphia based restaurant-quality supplier. “They have someone on the boat telling me the quality of the fish, the conditions in which they were caught, and how many they brought in.”
