December full of Christmas cheer at Village Green
Friday December 21, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
The Christmas season has been a busy time for residents and staff members at Village Green, says Karen Coulter, the Selby long-term care home’s life enrichment co-ordinator.

Thanks to the generosity of two individuals, residents now have a new feature at the home.

Shirley Sweet, a volunteer at Village Green, got into the Christmas spirit by donating a computer to the home for the residents to use. Family member Maryann Pringle chipped in, too, by donating a desk for the computer.

Since getting the computer the residents have had fun with it, says Coulter, adding it still needs an Internet connection, which should be added in the new year.

Last year, Coulter started a computer program when she was life enrichment supervisor at Pleasant Meadow Manor in Norwood. She hopes to start a similar program at Village Green.

“That’s where it all started, when I was at Pleasant Meadow, and you carry it on because we’re getting the younger generation who is computer literate,” says Coulter.

Having a computer in the home with Internet access is important in this day and age, notes Coulter. Because many residents have family members and friends living far away, the use of e-mail is becoming increasingly important, she adds.

December has also been a busy month for activities.

Over the past couple of weeks the home has made use of the OMNI van and taken residents on several outings, which have included Christmas shopping, the Napanee Christmas parade, as well as a few Christmas festivals in the area.

The home also had a gingerbread house decorating contest Dec. 11 for residents and staff members. The contest, which featured six gingerbread houses donated by the Napanee Wal-Mart, was organized by the home’s staff members.

After the gingerbread houses were decorated they were given away in a draw at the home’s children’s Christmas party.

“The party was a great success for all. Santa visited the children and the residents enjoyed watching the young ones,” says Coulter.

Overall, Coulter says the days leading up to Christmas have been enjoyable for residents. Things like Christmas trees, holiday music and food bring back a lot of good memories for residents.

“Even the residents that have some form of dementia, the Christmas tree and the music brings back memories,” says Coulter.