Recreation is an important part of Good Samaritan residents’ daily lives. Donate to our 2024 Christmas Appeal today to support meaningful, enriching recreation on our care homes and programs!
Recreation is an opportunity to get people out of their rooms, to socialize and make friends.
One of the best parts of my job as a Recreation Therapy Aide at West Highlands is to watch the friendships blossom and grow. I get to see these friendships blossom from day one when a resident moves in. There is always one person who introduces themselves and invites others to an activity. From there, the residents start socializing on their own, going for walks together, sitting on the deck, having coffee, etc. They lean on each other through good times and bad. They are happy for each other when one gets a Bingo, sad for each other when they lose a loved one, and support each other through the bad days.
I am fortunate to see firsthand people build each other up, encourage each other to get out to activities, and support each other in their times of vulnerability and it is truly beautiful.
Friendship becomes a strong bond for our residents, and it is an honour to watch these friendships develop. It is one of the reasons that I am so happy that I get to work where I do and will continue to until I am the one looking for a friend.
Hopefully, I will find someone who is as loyal and caring as the people in these photos.
By Pam Bertrand, Recreation Therapy Aide, Good Samaritan West Highland Centre & Estates
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of the Journey. Read this and other issues of the Journey here, or sign up to be the first to receive the Journey online or by mail.
