Resident engagement heightened through bird exhibit

Centre for the Conservation of Specialized Species presentation gets people talking

August 8, 2012 -- Deron Hamel

A recent bird exhibit at Streamway Villa was the perfect tool to enhance resident engagement at Streamway Villa, says life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Christina Verleysen.

The owls and birds of prey exhibit from the Centre for the Conservation of Specialized Species was brought to the Cobourg long-term care home Aug. 1, attracting more than 30 of the home’s 59 residents, notes Verleysen.

The 90-minute exhibit was led by the centre’s Chris Ketola, who showed residents some of the birds the centre cares for, including a falcon and a great horned owl.

“It was just something different that our residents took part in — it engaged everybody,” Verleysen tells the OMNIway.

“This (program) involved questions and answers. I had about six residents put up their hands and ask very interesting questions and (Ketola) was just amazing with them. . . . Not only did the residents thoroughly enjoy this but the staff members were eager to attend as well.”

In addition to the question-and-answer segment, residents had a chance to feed and touch the birds, the LEC adds.

Residents and staff were amazed by some of the things they didn’t know about owls and falcons, such as an owl’s head does not turn around completely, although they can give this impression. The group also learned that owls can hunt in daylight as well as at night.

What made the program extra special for residents was the fact that many living at the home are nature lovers, so the enthusiasm was there from the get-go, says Verleysen.

This was the first time the centre had made a presentation at Streamway Villa but it won’t be the last, says Verleysen, adding that Ketola worked well with residents.

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