Staff members of The Arbor Company pride themselves on their creativity and innovation. They’re continually finding new ways to engage residents and enrich their lives daily. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that’s posed some challenges.
Engagement team members at Arbor Terrace Peachtree City are rising to that challenge. They’ve devised an innovative approach to adapt favorite activities and celebrations so that residents can continue to participate but at a safe distance – by taking the fun out into the hallways.
Favorite activities have been adapted so that residents can join in from their apartment doorways, including bowling, singing, stretching and exercise, Bingo and even horseshoes — all while maintaining social distancing.
“Residents stand or sit in their doorways, and staff members walk up and down the hall to lead the activity and guide the residents,” said Mary Byrd, Engagement director. Because doorways are spaced at least six feet apart and residents remain in their rooms, a safe distance is maintained.
On holidays and special occasions, the hallways are transformed into the “parade route.” Team members decorate activity carts and parade them around the community, stopping at each resident’s room to deliver treats or snacks, activity packets and cheery greetings. This approach was recently employed for July Fourth, Memorial Day and Cinco de Mayo.
Performers also have turned the hallways into entertainment venues. Engagement Coordinator Luke Goss recently played his guitar and sang for residents while they watched from their doorways.
Arbor Terrace Peachtree City also has partnered with local organizations and businesses to come up with new ways to brighten the halls with new surprises. Recently, for example, a local business donated a variety of flowers, flower pots and soil so the residents could select their favorites to plant on their balconies or porches.
While friends and family members now are able to visit the community, in-person visits must be scheduled and are thus somewhat limited, and other opportunities for socializing, like communal dining, are curtailed.
“During this time, it’s so important for residents to have ways to socialize and engage,” Byrd said. “These hallway activities are not just a lot of fun, they’re critical for the emotional, mental and physical well-being of our residents.”
