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tournament and played against the “Those programs provide the
McDowell Place staff – and won! residents an opportunity to still feel
useful and help them to see that they
Another recent activity that was are able to help others,” Scott said.
very popular with residents and the “They need to feel like they can still
community was a Senior University, make a difference in someone’s life.”
which offered a varied program of
learning opportunities designed for In the 16 years she has been at
intellectual stimulation, cultural McDowell Place, Scott has become
experiences and personal enjoyment. acquainted with many different
people from all walks of life.

“The idea behind it was to offer “I hope I can touch their lives in such
In addition to seasonal activities residents the opportunity to learn
(such as the senior prom), Scott has more about topics they always wanted a way that it enriches this period in
their life,” Scott said. “I want the
a normal activity schedule that is to know about but never had time residents who choose McDowell
followed, offering a wide variety of to learn,” Scott explained. Topics
daily activities and events. Among included an antique appraisal, Place to feel like they are coming
somewhere to really live and enjoy
the residents’ favorites are “Brain quilting, the science behind bourbon
Aerobics”, which uses visual puzzles making, and bird behavior. life, whether they are 85 or 95, and to
feel like they are still needed.”
or story-telling in music to help
residents reminisce and interact; Virginia Bartle is one of McDowell
“Would You Rather”, a logic game; Some of the activities planned for Place’s newest residents and already
and “You Be The Judge”, a mind- residents also impact the community, knows that her new home was the
stimulating activity that involves Scott said. She noted that residents right choice for her.
reading a court case and then have made blankets for U.S. soldiers
determining a judgment. and patients at Ephraim McDowell “Becoming a McDowell Place
Commonwealth Cancer Center. resident has been a satisfying and
This summer, residents participated There also is the Grand-Buddies pleasant experience,” Bartle said.
in a “Let’s Get Fit McDowell Place” program, where kindergarten students “There are always new and different
Challenge that encouraged residents visit twice a month for art projects, activities for us and, as a result, we
to join the Silver Strutters, a group of and Helping Hands, which has can have rich, full lives with our social
McDowell Place residents organized collected food for the local food bank needs met, opportunities to keep
for the challenge, and walk twice a and supported other community learning and be qualified as good
week with the group as well as on needs. citizens of our community.”
their own.

Scott said she has been surprised over
the years by the activities that she
thought would be a big hit among
residents, or the activities that she
feared would not go over … and the
exact opposite happened in each case.

One of the current big hits among
residents, Scott said, is corn hole,
even with the female residents. She
said many of the residents have a very
competitive spirit and play to win.
That spirit was in the residents’ favor
recently when they had a corn hole

Ephraim McDowell Health Source Summer 2016 5