Heritage Manor News: Benefits of pet therapy

During Nursing Home Week at Heritage Manor, we had a pet parade and pet therapy in-room visits for bedbound residents and dementia unit residents. It was a fun time for everyone involved. Incorporating animals with the residents provided opportunities for companionship and unconditional love. It helps to reduce stress, enhance the senses and promote a feeling of joy. It also allowed for many reminiscing stories to be shared between staff and residents. Studies show that petting animals can provide tactile stimulation, lower blood pressure and bring back memories of past pets. Having a resident pet, hold or brush an animal is a good way to increase the resident’s range of motion through movement. Small birds, like parakeets and cockatiels, are great pets for seniors. They live longer and sing beautifully. Fish are also known for reducing stress. We have a pair of parakeets (Bonnie and Clyde) that just had their first birthdays. Our cockatiel (Bingo) is about 10 years old and still loves to sing. We encourage family to visit them in the activity room.
The staff of Heritage Manor wishes a Happy Birthday this week to Riley Gallow and Soy Sebastien.
Congratulations to Employee of the Month for June Cathy Guillory and Resident of the Month Sue Guillory.
The pride card winner for June is Sherina Gallow, a dedicated and valued employee.
The staff of Heritage Manor welcomes Don Lafleur and Ammich Stagg to the facility.
Activities this week include in-room visits, manicures, pokeno, bingo sponsored by the VVA, parachute fun, resident birthday party, Olympic games practice, resident council meeting, mass by Sacred Heart, movie and popcorn, snow cones, group exercise and rosary led by St. Joseph’s Church.
Many thanks to St. John Baptist Church members, Come Lord Jesus group and Thomas Toler.