January brings more programming
Monday January 28, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
The cold and icy month of January keeps life enrichment co-ordinators industrious as they plan events to keep residents busy indoors.

West Lake Terrace life enrichment co-ordinator Julie Clarkson, says that January’s slippery conditions make it difficult for residents to venture outside.

“It’s too cold to get out,” says Clarkson.  “So we want to keep the residents as positive and busy as possible.”

Because of this, Clarkson says the home brings in more entertainment than the summer months, with five different entertainment acts booked for the upcoming week.

Clarkson says her home is thankful for the resident’s families, two of which have provided entertainment in previous weeks.

Pleasant Meadow Manor is getting ready for Robbie Burns Day and their annual carpet bowling competition. Jackie Arnott, the life enrichment co-ordinator for the Norwood long-term care home, says that the residents are busy polishing up their bowling skills. 

The home is also planning a late Christmas dinner, which due to unfortunate circumstances, was unable to take place during the holidays.

A weeklong carnival hopes to masquerade the winter blues at Village Green in Selby.  

Karen Coulter, the life enrichment co-ordinator for the home, says that because January is the blue’s month, her home wanted to plan extra special events.

Theme days, movie nights and a chilli cook off are just the tip of the iceberg. 

“We’re having a hockey competition, a snowball competition and barbeque hot-dog day,” says Coulter.

Coulter says January brings lots of reminiscing. To help generate stories, the home will operate a hot chocolate booth with free hot chocolate for residents and a charge for staff.  The money will go to the resident’s council.

Coulter says because it’s so cold, the home plans on bringing all the events indoors.