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Author: Cortney Malpiede

Youth and Elder Program Feature Page July/August 2020

Evergreen Middle School student, Orlagh Laking, participated in our Youth and Elder Program with her classmates, but the experience didn’t include the physical interaction with the elders.  While the Evergreen Middle School students’ visits to The Garden Care Homes had to be cancelled due to Covid-19, we appreciate their cards, letters, drawings to still connect with the elders.

Orlagh painted stunning cards and wrote her heartfelt messages inside to send to send to our elder care partners.  Her efforts to be involved tapped into her artistic abilities to brighten the day and bring nature inside for the elders!  Pictured is one of her  hand-painted cards.

The students received the Bessie’s Hope education and training, so they were filled with compassion and respect for the elders.  Next school year will bring another opportunity to experience the beautiful interaction and cultivate relationships with the elders.

Family and Elder Program Feature Page July/August 2020

Family and Elder Program volunteer, Robin Arnett, has been participating in biweekly zoom meetings with her grand friend, Marge.  She also has consistently been sending letters to Marge and other residents in need of knowing that someone outside the elder care home is thinking of them and sending them love.  We deeply appreciate Robin’s commitment to our elders during this time, and we know that Marge loves staying connected even if it is virtually, for the time being.

Community and Elder Program Feature Page July/August 2020

The Regis University Service-Learning Department has been partnering with Bessie’s Hope for their healthcare students’ geriatric experience for almost 20 years in our Community and Elders Program.  Regis students of nursing, physical therapy, counseling, and pharmacology spend 10 hours with Bessie’s Hope, receiving our education and training relative to working with people who are living in elder care. They also receive information regarding the detrimental effects of ageism in healthcare, as well as society in general.  Other topics covered by Bessie’s Hope include having comfortable and meaningful interaction with elders who have advanced Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.

The Regis students also participate in group gatherings facilitated by Bessie’s Hope at nursing homes and assisted living.  Even though COVID led to the hands-on visits being cancelled, the students participated in our Staying Connected Initiative.  They provided an abundant outpouring of letters, cards, gifts, and artwork, all of which were more than well received from our elder care communities.  One activity director said, “the cards and gifts were amazing, and it made everyone so happy.  We’re so grateful for you, your program and your volunteers.”  We are so thankful for our partnership with Regis University!

Family and Elder Program Feature Page – May/June 2020

We are grateful for technology during this time to help keep connections alive! Family and Elder Program Volunteer, Alex Cossoff, and Carol, resident at Bethany Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, have been enjoying 30-minute zoom calls once a week for the past month. Knowing how important Carol’s faith is, Alex suggested a virtual church service for Carol to attend! 

We are all adapting to this difficult situation and finding ways to stay together. Thank you to our Family and Elder Program volunteers for continuing to find ways to support your adopted family members. Thank you to all staff in nursing homes and assisted living homes for finding time to help nourish these important relationships to keep residents happy and engaged in meaningful relationships.

“I started visiting Carol in late 2019.  She requested someone to spend time with her, and I have been lucky enough to have the privilege to be her friend.  At first we got to spend time face to face, but now, we do a weekly Zoom meeting.  We love to dive into Biblical philosophy and talk about food, and her life growing up in Colorado.  My life is more fulfilling and rich with Carol in it.” – Alex Cossoff

Community and Elder Program Feature Page – May/June 2020

Teachers and administration staff from St. Mary’s Academy had a wonderful time at Garden Care Homes Pinehurst on Valentine’s Day! The volunteer group led a gift raffle, and residents got to pick out fun prizes! In true Bessie’s Hope fashion, there was a lot of laughter, singing and dancing!

We are so appreciative of our long time partnership with St. Mary’s Academy. The youth and adults from the school are supportive and loving toward our beautiful elders. Through our Staying Connected Initiative, students and adult volunteers have sent many loving and encouraging notes and artwork to elders who are so terribly isolated during this time. Over 25 students just from SMA have started a pen pal program!

Thank you to our partners, Garden Care Homes! We miss you and can’t wait to visit again!

Community & Elders Program Feature – March/April 2020

Regis University students and teachers have woven participation with Bessie’s Hope into the Pharmacy and Nursing Service Learning curriculum for many years. Students are able to experience the variance among many nursing homes, assisted living communities and be introduced to the vast career opportunities in long term care.

Regis students enjoyed singing, dancing, conversation and games with residents from Balfour at Stapleton, Bethany Nursing and Rehab,  Brookshire House, Brookside Inn, Cedars Healthcare Center, Chelsea Place, Cherrelyn Healthcare Center, Forest Street Compassionate Care Center,  Greenridge Place, Mesa Vista of Boulder, MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Littleton, and Orchard Park Health Care Center.

Thank you to our partners at Regis University and all of our assisted living and nursing home partners! 

Family & Elders Program Feature – March/April 2020

Bessie’s Hope volunteer, Tonya Lacy, began volunteering at Juniper Village Aurora at the beginning of the year to engage with the residents there. However, once introduced to Ms. Yvonne, her volunteer experience turned into a family one. Her twin teens, Resa and Rueben have also joined in on the fun, and have enjoyed getting to know and playing card games with Ms. Yvonne.

 

However, due to COVID-19 precautions, visitors are unable to enter our elder care communities at this time. Although, that did not stop the Lacy family from connecting with Ms. Yvonne. They took the time to write letters, and Resa, Tonya’s daughter, shared her passion and talent for art by creating pictures to share with Ms. Yvonne during this time.

 

At Bessie’s Hope, we are so thankful for volunteers like Tonya and her family!

Family & Elders Program Feature – February 2020

Peyton and Morgan Ankrum, volunteers from St. Mary’s Academy, visited several elder care homes preparing ornaments and wrapping gifts for residents to give during the holiday season.  It was a magical experience for all.

 

This was Peyton’s idea and Bessie’s Hope was so honored to be a part of it!

For more information:

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Call Blythe Dollar at 303-861-3018 

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Community & Elders Program Feature – February 2020

For many years, Regis University School of Nursing has partnered with Bessie’s Hope to provide an introductory experience in working with the geriatric population. Bessie’s Hope provides the education and training for the nursing students and coordinates group visits at multiple elder care facilities, so the students will have diverse experiences.  Because interacting with individuals who have advanced Alzheimer’s Disease is included in our training, each group of nursing students has the opportunity to engage with elders in various memory care facilities.  Their participation with Bessie’s Hope also includes time with elders in skilled care (nursing homes) and with elders in assisted living communities that are not memory care.  Through Bessie’s Hope, they see how much the elders have to teach all younger generations.

Above are photos of some of the students at a visit at Balfour at Stapleton. Facilitated by Bessie’s Hope staff, the students have the opportunity to participate in getting-to-know-you dialogue, dancing and lots of laughter and hugs.

 

Below are a couple of pictures of other nursing students dancing with elders at Cedars Health Care Center and Chelsea Place Memory Care.

Learn more about getting your business or community group involved here.

Youth & Elders Program Feature – February 2020


Little Sprouts Friendship Garden” preschool has partnered with Bessie’s Hope for a few years.  It’s always enchanting to watch the preschoolers and elders at TenderCare Harvard Park bring such joy to each other!   They read together, create together, dance together, and have so much fun together!  In the picture above, they were stacking hands and about to yell “GO TEAM!

Girl Scout Troop 77818 performed Christmas carols, and spread the holiday cheer at Juniper Village Louisville this past December.  Smiles and hugs were spread near and far!

Bessie’s Hope is proud to partner with Little Sprouts Friendship Garden and Girl Scout Troop 77818, and we hope both partnerships continue for many years!

Learn more about how to get your youth or school group involved here.