Thornhill Manor gets moving on Mondays
Participants gather at the village community centre at 10am and walk one of three routes mapped out by Vicky.
Mondays are set to be filled with motion and movement at Rand Aid’s Thornhill Manor retirement village.
Resident Vicky Keenan has put together a fun programme to start each week off on a high, with residents coming together to enjoy the outdoors, some gentle exercise and then plenty of laughs.
Participants gather at the village community centre at 10am and walk one of three routes mapped out by Vicky.
All the walks can handle wheelchairs and walkers and frailer residents in wheelchairs are pushed by their careworkers.
“The walk lasts for about 25 minutes and then everyone goes to the community centre for tea and biscuits,” said Thornhill Manor’s deputy complex manager Jackie Scott.
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After everyone has been fortified, the next round of the day’s activities begins with residents challenging each other to fun games, including Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Snap, Fishing and Skittles. Many hilarious results.
“All activities are occupational therapy-related to encourage movement, interaction, coordination and just to have a laugh and some fun,” said Scott.
She added the response to the morning has increased week-on-week.
In December 2016, Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre became the first organisation in Gauteng, and the second in Africa, to become a member of Eden Alternative South Africa registry.
The Eden Alternative philosophy is now being rolled out to all Rand Aid villages and care centres.
Eden Alternative promotes the positioning of places where elders live as warm, nurturing spaces where every individual feels valued, has the opportunity to grow, develop new interests, practise new and old hobbies, socialise with friends and family, contribute to their community and have real meaningful relationships with the staff and other residents.
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Thornhill Manor’s new activities programme is aligned with the Eden Alternative philosophy.
Keenan will soon start woodwork classes in which residents will make a few more games to be utilised for after-walk games.
“With many a talented craftsman living in the village, the results should be spectacular,” said Scott.
“Vicky is thrilled residents are getting residents involved in her Monday programme. Her passion and patience are phenomenal,” Scott said.
