While physical distancing measures, including a no visitor policy, are in place to protect those living in Niagara’s long-term care homes from COVID-19, Christine Wilkinson, coordinator of NC’s Recreation Therapy program, rallied the support of kids, fellow faculty, community members and alumni to spread positivity to residents and staff at this difficult time.
With her 10 and 13-year-old daughters at home, Wilkinson and her husband were exploring ways to keep their kids engaged in learning.
“I said, how about writing letters to residents in long-term care? We drive by Heidehof every day and my daughter Kate was very engaged with the idea of letter-writing,” said Wilkinson, who stresses the importance of meaningful activities to keep residents engaged and stimulated during this isolating time.
Kate wrote her first letter to residents at Heidehof Home for the Aged in St. Catharines and Royal Rose Place in Welland in late March, sharing photos of her cats and a few words of hope.
“I wanted to give this to you to make this time a little easier. My mom teaches Therapeutic Recreation and she tells me all about it. During this time it must be hard not seeing your family. I know everyone hates staying inside with no one to talk to. We all want this to be over soon. We hope you can have visitors soon,” said Kate.
The letter also included a note to staff, explaining that although NC’s Recreation Therapy students cannot be in their home for placements at this time, NC is still thinking about them and their residents.
Recreation therapists at Heidehof – NC alumni and Wilkinson’s former students – read the letters to their residents, and after receiving such a positive response, coordinated letters back to Kate.
Wilkinson didn’t stop there, inviting other faculty in Recreation Therapy to involve their own kids in letter-writing. In total, their letters reached 66 long-term care homes across Niagara, Burlington and Dunnville – all locations where NC students have completed their placements.
“I have read all these letters and I am very touched,” said Aurika Bennett, activity manager, Salvation Army Eventide Home. “You and your team have gone above and beyond, humanity coming together, what an awesome feeling.”
Wilkinson and Heather Vokey, manager of Life Enrichment Services at Heidehof, explored ways to spread positivity to staff. Inspired by a ‘Chalk the Walk’ campaign on Facebook, Wilkinson rallied other families in her neighborhood – staggered to abide by physical distancing measures – to write messages to staff outside of Heidehof. The walkway was covered in messages like “health care heroes” and “brighter days ahead,” which moved many of the staff to tears on their way in and out of the home.
www.facebook.com/heidehofhomefortheaged/posts/111251223862879
“Our grads and all the people who work in Recreation Therapy and at long-term care homes are really trying to give residents a sense of normalcy, quality of life and joy, and that includes a sense of community and connection” said Wilkinson. “These initiatives were a way to recognize the work that NC grads are doing and finding ways to support them from the outside.”
Seeing the impact, Wilkinson reached out to recreation therapist and NC alumna Lana Reid at Ina Grafton Gage Village where several families chalked the courtyard and walkway around the building. The drawings were visible to residents from the safety of their windows, many making requests to kids for personalized drawings and messages. One resident from Barbados called out and asked for a palm tree. The family drew him a beautiful island scene. Another family chalked “Blijf lachen,” Dutch for “keep smiling,” after discovering a residents Dutch heritage.
“What started out as an afternoon of bringing support, love and joy to the staff and residents at Ina Grafton Gage Home, has in turn, given us back so much more,” said NC alumna Charissa Kelly, a former student of Wilkinson who participated. “To see the sincere gratitude of staff, and the smiles of the residents watching us through their windows, has filled our hearts with even more joy, and reminded us the smallest gestures can mean the most. Thanks to Christine Wilkinson for arranging a time for our family to be part of this.”
NC alumna and recreation therapist at Ina Grafton, Lana Reid (front), and Christine Wilkinson, professor in the School of Community Services at NC (back).
“Both initiatives started out of a desire to do something to brighten the days of residents and staff working in long-term care,” said Wilkinson, who is currently engaged with staff at other long-term care homes in Niagara to explore safe ways to spread positivity while abiding by important physical distancing measures.
