Click here West or East for
an Adobe PDF file of our monthly calendar of events, to get a glimpse of
the many activities residents and family members will enjoy.
Therapeutic Recreation
The purpose of Therapeutic
Recreation at Pleasant Ridge Manor is to improve the quality of life for
each Resident. We recognize that
some individuals have illnesses, disabilities, or other conditions
preventing them from realizing their full potentials. The Recreation department, under the
direction of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, works closely
with other in-house therapies to augment their treatment strategies using
fun and recreation. We facilitate the development, maintenance and
expression of an ability appropriate leisure lifestyle through our
recreation programs.
We provide a program of
activities from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Residents are interviewed periodically in order to develop a
detailed leisure interest survey.
Many times, family members are contacted for a more in-depth look at
past leisure preferences and lifestyle choices. The Activity Aides are an integral part of our treatment team
and develop a detailed plan of care for each individual. Each Resident is encouraged to
participate in a recreation program designed especially for them including
both group and individual/bedside activities.
Games and Technology
A variety of games are
offered to Residents on a daily basis.
Group activities occur every day on every unit and include games
such as balloon volleyball, parachute, beanbag toss, horseshoes and many
more! Individual games, such as
cards, checkers, jigsaw and word puzzles, are also provided based on need
and interest. And, there’s never
enough bingo! Bingo games are
scheduled several times weekly during the afternoon and evening. Both our Activities Aides and members of
community or social groups provide these groups.
Some of our games are
presented in a multi-media format to keep things interesting. Family Feud is designed with specific
themes and then offered on a very large screen so everyone can see and
play! Computers are available in
several Resident areas for use by Residents for e-mail and/or computer
gaming. Our volunteer organization,
The Pleasant Ridge Manor Friends Forever, purchased a Sony Wii machine and
games for each facility.
Arts, Crafts and Baking
Various arts and crafts
projects are provided and include working with a wide variety of
media. These projects are done both
in a group and individually.
Residents may choose to decorate their rooms, give finished projects
as gifts, or display them for sale in the first floor showcase. All proceeds directly benefit the
Resident Council fund.
Baking is another favorite
pastime that provides the opportunity for Residents to continue to enjoy
another lifetime interest. The
wonderful aroma of fresh baked goodies brings back many fond memories of
times and tastes from the past.
Current Events
Being informed and keeping up
with our area’s current events is important for all of us. Our Activities Aides provide current
events using The Erie Times News on a daily basis on each unit and
encourage both interaction and reflection during the group.
Residents who are interested
in continuing their hometown newspaper subscriptions may do so with the
proper arrangements through the Activities Department and Resident
Accounting. The Activities Aides
deliver the newspapers bright and early at eight-o-clock every morning!
Exercises and “Specialty Groups”
Research has proven that a healthy lifestyle, good
eating habits and daily exercise have a profound effect on one’s health and
longevity. We provide the
opportunity to exercise every day in a fun group setting. The exercises are designed to elicit
maximum physical responses within each individual’s limits.
Specialty Groups can be found
on our monthly calendar and include opportunities for Residents to
participate in fun and educational activities with their peers. Our younger Residents enjoy a leisure
education and socialization program designed especially for them. Our ladies have enjoyed creating their
own version of the Red Hat Society and take an active role in planning
their own events. And, some of our men
have really enjoyed a “men’s group” designed specifically to encourage
positive interaction and memories of their lifetime roles.
Religious Activities
Pleasant Ridge Manor has a
lovely chapel located in the center of the facility and accommodates both
Catholic and Protestant services on a weekly basis. Rosary groups and Bible Study groups are
held weekly. Holy days and other
celebrations are recognized and all Residents are welcome to attend.
We’re happy to make
reasonable accommodations for all religions and always encourage Residents
to practice their religion of choice, or receive visits from their parish
ministers/priests.
Musical Activities
Musical activities comprise a
large portion of our Activity Program both in large group and individual
settings. Sing Alongs, musicals,
music videos of all sorts and of course, Lawrence Welk shows are presented
on a large screen so everyone can see to read the lyrics. Residents really enjoy the familiar
tunes and are encouraged to continue to practice their own musical
talents!
One of our talented Activity
Aides provides a sing along of old favorites she plays on her guitar. Volunteers and volunteer groups provide
live entertainment on our stage on a weekly basis. These groups, combined with our paid
entertainers, provide a fun night “out” several times every week!
Pet Therapy
The purpose of pet therapy is
to facilitate meaningful contact with pets and to elicit fond memories of
pets that Residents owned prior to coming to Pleasant Ridge Manor.
Each month, members of Grey
Save, a greyhound rescue group, bring their gentle giants in to visit. These dogs are ideal for pet therapy
because of their patient disposition and their height. Residents can easily reach to pet their
warm, soft coats.
Residents have the
opportunity to visit with dogs and cats, and to enjoy their warmth,
affection and companionship. Pigs,
alpacas, chickens, goats, lambs, horses and guinea pigs have also made
special appearances. We have a
large fish aquarium and several birds that the Residents enjoy. We’ve even hatched a few chicks!
Special Events and Community Outings
There are many, many
occasions to celebrate throughout the year. Parties celebrating religious, patriotic and seasonal
holidays are attended by most of our Residents. We’ve even had a couple of real weddings!
Special entertainers are
invited to help make the day memorable and we work closely with our Food
Services Department to provide tasteful culinary delights. We also enjoy designing celebrations for
holidays we create!
Providing a variety of trips
means many opportunities for Residents of different skill and interest
levels to enjoy subtle community integration. We escort groups of Residents several times weekly from both
facilities to their favorite destinations.
Shopping seems to be the number one destination. The staff at our local Wal*Mart is
always helpful and even know some of us by name!
We like to take advantage of
our area’s greatest natural assets such as the scenic Presque Isle, Finney’s
Pumpkinville and the beautiful countryside of the West County and North
East areas. Viewing all the changes
to our downtown district always elicits great conversations and
reminiscence.
Educational trips are always
well attended. We’ve visited Blasco
Library, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and the Maritime Museum. We’ve been lucky at the new Presque Isle
Downs and Casino! Sporting events,
such as baseball at Jerry Uht Park and hockey at the Louis Tullio Civic
Center are also favorite outings.
Annual summertime trips to Waldameer Park, local ice cream
establishments, and a luncheon cruise on the elegant Victorian Princess
paddleboat are all well attended and appreciated!
|
