Lakeside Beikirch Care Center residents celebrated the end of summer in a way that no other senior care facility in the state of New York has, they had a campfire. While campfires are enjoyed throughout the summer and fall months by many and may therefore seem mundane, residents in senior care facilities throughout the country are not able to partake in such common place activities. The Long Term Care Center at Lakeside aims to change that. The campfire event is one of many that focuses on creating an authentic home atmosphere and de-institutionalize the experience of living in a nursing home.
“We are taking every opportunity to raise the bar when it comes to providing quality of life experiences at our facility,” said Nancy Duff, Director of Recreation for the Center.
Terry Klinetob, Senior Vice President of Long Term Care added, “a nursing home is not necessarily where most residents want to be, but the reality is that for some, it is the best option for providing the level of care required by certain health challenges. Given that, we want our facility to be a place where residents and their families can still have the opportunity to have a quality experience and add to the many memories that they already share.”
It looks like they are well on their way of doing just that. Said resident, Ruth Landon, “I have had the opportunity to sit through many campfires in my lifetime. I have burnt the toes of my sneakers, warmed my hands, roasted pies, made smore’s, and cooked hot dogs by the fire with family. This fun activity brought back many good memories. It was a blessing to be able to even watch other residents with their families and friends laughing and simply enjoy their time together. I thank God I was able to attend this special activity with my family and friends.”
