In an effort to continuously enhance the quality of life for our residents at The Pointe, we are always offering new and exciting options to our Expressive Arts Program. We hold a strong belief that self-expression is necessary to maintaining a healthy and positive attitude. As we grow older, there are numerous factors that can cause seniors to retreat socially and emotionally;  loss of spouse and/or friends, new surroundings, decrease in physical abilities and illness, such as Alzheimer's.  This lack of interaction, be it social or mental, can easily lead to depression and anxiety, which in turn can make the individual withdraw even more and eventually lead to a decline in overall health.  Our goal is to prohibit this from happening to anyone in the community.  By offering a large variety of activities and programs, we hope to not only accommodate the usual interests, but to also provide new and different experiences.

Art Therapy, though common, can be very beneficial on many levels. It can be done in groups or alone and requires no natural "talent".  It is important to stress the process and not the results.  The general act of creating something, be it with paints, textiles, crafts, etc...provides an outlet and allows the individual to express themselves.  Over the past month, our New Day residents, those living with Alzheimer's, have been painting and decorating umbrellas.  Some worked in groups, while others worked alone.  Organized and lead by our Life Enrichment Coordinator, Joyce Rinkevicius, the umbrellas were later sold at a silent auction with the proceeds going towards outings and field trips for those residents.  In this case, being able to share their creations with family and friends, helps to maintain a strong bond when verbal communication may be in decline.  Another project in progress is the creating of greeting cards.  Guided by Program Director, Angie Garbaczewski and local artist, Sergio "David" Rojas, several of the residents have been working with watercolors during the monthly art classes offered.  It was decided to use their pictures as the designs for our company greeting cards with a short bio of the resident artist printed on the back.  This takes the process to another level of fulfillment and gives them the opportunity to take pride in their work and allows them to represent their community and home.

Another therapy that has similar results is Horticultural Therapy. The process of caring and tending to plants, can be very fulfilling and in many cases is already an established hobby.  Being in the Midwest makes this especially true at The Pointe. Many of our residents grew up on or near farms or at the very least, homes on lots with large outdoor spaces.  Taking care of flowers, shrubs, vegetables, etc....was part of daily living.  The Pointe has several raised beds that the residents can use as they wish.  Some plant their favorite flowers while others grow such things as tomatoes and peppers.  Still, others take pleasure in tending to the existing landscaping of the grounds.  During nice weather, you can find several of the residents pulling weeds and trimming back flowers. There is something inspiring about working outside with the hands that brings a since of calm, but also provides a since of responsibility and pride in their home.

In addition to these activities, that many of are familiar with already, The Pointe is always looking for new and different activities that we may have never thought of trying or even heard of.  Recently, Angie brought in an expert on drums and drum circles.  Rita Lopienski brought her massive collection of drums from around the world and also lead her award winning program, "Drumming Circle-Rhythm of Life".  There were over 50 residents that participated in this event. The stimulation of learning about different drums and the cultures they originate from, the actual playing of the drums and the socialization all add up to a highly positive and rewarding experience.  At first thought, unless you already had an interest in drums, one might find the idea of a drum circle odd or intimidating.  Learning about the instruments first helps to create interest. The fact that everyone got to play a drum at the same time, gave everyone the freedom to experiment without the fear of doing it "wrong".  This creates a positive environment and stimulates socialization.  The overall energy level also increases, which makes it a great, late afternoon activity.

These are just a very few of the programs offered at The Pointe. Under the "Also this Month" section of this newsletter, you can read the article on the drama therapy session that recently took place and read the poem that the resident's wrote during that session. You can also keep up with the activities that take place daily, by visiting our website and our Facebook page. Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions for new programs that we could implement at The Pointe.