LIZ RECCA, wearing a cream sweater by Bailey 44, $186, denim skinny jeans by Frame, $239, Dora Mae necklace, $189, and Dalal 100 light mocha cashmere suede ankle booties with dark brown leather strap detail by Jimmy Choo, $950, takes a bench break with a member.
Day and caregivers appreciation day. The members especially enjoy the active garden where they can plant things and take care of them. For many, gardening was part of their lives and it’s nice that they can still enjoy it. When you have Alzheimer’s or dementia a lot of your choices are taken away from you. And you don’t necessarily get to do things like gardening because someone has to watch you,” M.J. adds. The garden’s design is circular, even the walking paths, because it’s therapeutic for members to pace in a circle. “Everything is very strategic. It is fenced and closed so members can be outside and free but also safe,” she explains. There is a fully equipped exercise room where professionals can ensure members are staying active and getting some physical therapy if needed. They can also get basic medical check-ups so their health and wellness is being monitored. In the activities room members gather for meals, music performances and dance workouts. “We work with OMA — Opening exercise room, bathing area, salon and garden. The people who
Minds through Art — and the members paint, make dreamcatch-
utilize Day Break are called members so they feel part of a special
ers — and then have their works displayed. It’s more than just
club.
arts and crafts — it’s an opportunity to give members choice.
“Everything from getting a bath or shower to getting a haircut
They decide how they want to participate,” M.J. explains.
can be difficult so we try to facilitate that by having a salon right
OMA is a program founded on strengths-based psychology:
here where men can get a nice shave and cut, and women can get
capitalizing on what people with dementia can do, including
color and cut done with someone familiar. We serve a lot of vet-
expressing themselves creatively. Through a Winter Park Health
erans with PTSD and sometimes hearing loud buzzers can be
Foundation grant the staff has been trained in the OMA program
very nerve-wracking. In the spa we have CNAs who are trained to
implemented in group sessions where up to 12 trained volunteers
assist with the process and even have bathrobes for the members,”
or staff assist 12 people with dementia in creating visual art in
says M. J. Cardenas, events and communications coordinator.
carefully staged steps aimed at maximizing the possibility of cre-
The sensory garden appeals to all five senses including wind-
ative expression.
chimes for sound, bright flowers for sight, an herb garden for
In addition to the daily activities breakfast, lunch and refresh-
smell, textured plants for touch and, although they don’t taste
ments are served throughout the day. The meals, with a healthy
onsite, members can grow items to take home and enjoy.
lunch developed by a registered dietician, are provided by Meals
“We have a lot of special events here for May Day, Memorial
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on Wheels. For more information, call 407-629-4565.