ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Activities at Lincoln Hill Manor encompass a variety of interests. These would include exercise, crafts, gardening, music, pet therapy, cooking, trips, outings, speakers, entertainment, worship services, holiday parties, games and socialization.
Exercise sessions are led by the Activities Coordinator and essentially follow a non-aerobic routine designed by a physical therapist to boost balance and circulation. Residents choose accompanying music from a variety of CD's.
Beyond scheduled exercise, walking is also encouraged. Some residents like to walk around our spacious yard while others walk up the hill for the beautiful view of Spencer and the Brookfields. We are close enough to town for still others to walk downtown to shop, go to the library, or out to restaurants.
Crafts have included making decorative seasonal items, jewelry, holiday gifts, and dream catchers. An artist comes to our home to lead painting sessions with the residents. Residents will make tie-dye t-shirts in the summertime, while during the holidays they assist with preparations such as decorating, baking, egg-coloring, pumpkin painting, greeting cards and ornament design.
Residents are welcome to take part in assisted gardening in a variety of ways. Some will nurture plants from seed, maintain our herb garden for kitchen use, look after the perennials and annuals in our front entry, or see to the variety of potted flowers by the side entry. Residents may plant their preference of seasonal items such as pumpkins and sunflowers to care for.
Music is an integral part of life at Lincoln Manor, given its therapeutic, calming, and sometimes invigorating value. There is a piano in the living room and we have several residents who play well and gather a group around to listen and sing. Staff and residents join in the musical fun with a karaoke machine donated by the Exchange Club of Spencer. Musicians are hired to perform at the home, and residents often go to local venues for performances such as church cantatas, holiday and summer concerts, and sing-a-longs at senior housing.
Pets come and visit the residents very often, with regular visits from therapy dogs year-long and visits from a local petting zoo during the summer.
Residents often enjoy cooking activities and various snack preparations. Chocolate covered pretzels, decorative cupcakes, ice-cream sundaes, and the delights of New England apple season are put to good use. A do-it-yourself omelet station is organized on occasion, and an ice cream truck visits every month during the summer.
Trips and outings run the gamut from errands and necessary shopping to library jaunts, eating out at a variety of restaurants, attending concerts, shows, and various entertainment. We travel to historic places and museums, farms, gardens and Old Sturbridge Village.
Intellectual stimulation is coaxed by both individual and group efforts at crosswords, word find, riddles, puzzles, and boardgames. Memoirs are solicited and recorded in individual recollection as well as communal writing sessions. Poetry and stories are often shared, with a librarian visiting for story time and residents also visiting the library very frequently.
Worship Services are held on a regular basis at the home, and residents are taken to outside services by volunteers and staff when possible.
The year is marked by many special events, such as a Holiday Open House, and the Summer Family and Friends Picnic. We have hired entertainers such as musicians, plays, a series of historical presentations, and tea parties. Residents are able to meaningfully recognize times such as Valentines, Veterans and Earth Day. Discussing world events, collecting for Toys for Tots, registering to vote and voting, assistance in acquiring free cell phones (for those who qualify), receiving local publications, writing letters, and other particular requests are also prompted and assisted by the Activities Coordinator.
