AARP Highlights Choices in Long-Term Care on Day of Service
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-06-19 15:37:02.965276-04:00
Nearly 840 AARP members in towns and cities all over Arkansas demonstrated their great community spirit on the organization's National Day of Service, May 10, by lending a hand at various long-term care and private residences where Arkansans get help with the activities of daily living.
"AARP started its Day of Service observance after the 9-11 terrorist attacks, and we continue because community needs continue to be significant and our members and volunteers are committed to reaching out," said Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP Arkansas state director.
Learn about some of the chapter events below.
- AARP staff and volunteers from the State Office visited residents at Good Shepherd Assisted Living Center in Little Rock and participated in a live animal show presented by the Museum of Discovery. The animal show was arranged by the State Office.
- Broadmoor Chapter 2405's members visited Southwest Residential and Health Care Center offering musical entertainment to more than 20 residents.
- Cabot Chapter 3267's members entertained residents at Spring Creek Nursing Home and Cabot Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
- Crossett Chapter 4175's members served cookies and ice cream to residents of Beverly Nursing Home, and visited with some pets provided by the Crossett zoo.
- Highland Park Chapter 4982's members offered residents manicures, musical entertainment and storytelling at Parkview Health and Rehabilitation Center, 2600 Barrow Rd., Little Rock.
Maria Reynolds-Diaz, state director, and a resident of Good Shepard long-term care facility get close with a nervous hedgehog on AARP’s Day of Service.
- Horseshoe Bend Chapter 1420's members planted flowers at the Life Care Center where about 70 people live. Then, they continued in the same community spirit by participating in the city-wide clean up on May 12th, which benefited about 2,000 people.
- Hot Springs Chapter 3's members visited Blessed Hands Adult Day Care in Hot Springs. Members made dinner for the day care attendees and introduced Judy Hocutt and her dog Patches. As part of the pet therapy program, residents enjoyed playing with Patches.
- Little River County Chapter's members visited residents and donated eating utensils at the Little River Nursing Home in Ashdown.
- Maumelle Chapter's members conducted a health fair for about 90 people age 50+ including free massages and blood pressure checks at the Maumelle Senior Wellness Center. The chapter also did some landscaping at the center.
- Phillips County Chapter 4445's members donated food and money to the food bank and visited two nursing homes and three senior day centers, where they helped prepare and serve lunch, did some quilting and recruited a new member.
- Russellville Chapter 2106 members visited a nursing home.
- South Lonoke County Chapter 3604 members served homemade cookies and punch to about 60 local residents.
- South Central Hub 11 organized chapter members to visit senior living facilities and established a listening library of compact disc players, music and readings. Residents were asked to share oral histories of their lives as well as birthdates and anniversary dates for future activities.
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