May 17, 2021 —Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, a social butterfly or more of a home-body, life at the Benjamin Borden Health Center offers the feeling of home.
As part of the Kendal at Lexington campus, the 5 Star rated (CMS – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) skilled care center starts with the Kendal focus on a person-centered approach to care. That means we learn about and build on each individual’s personal history, preferences, and experiences.
Just finishing up new renovations, the Borden Center is designed as a household model. With two “households” consisting of up to 24 residents each, either in a private or a shared room, with common residence areas including living room, dining, activity areas, and kitchen residents feel connected with each other during daily life. Another 12 additional residents can live in a third household with private bathrooms, perfect for skilled care stays.
Other new beautiful spaces include sunrooms, country kitchens and larger gathering space for the popular variety of programs available to them.
Engaging and Interesting Activities for Everyone
After breakfast residents can attend a host of interesting and mentally stimulating programs. Everything from trivia games, vespers, exercise, or a Shakespeare reading means there’s plenty of variety and topics to keep everyone interested.
Lunch is another opportunity to gather with fellow residents and enjoy a meal and some fellowship before afternoon programs begin.
The activities staff plans a wide variety of programs to keep residents active both physically and cognitively. Chair yoga, putt putt golf, and other games mean residents can enjoy activities that fits their level. Other afternoon programs may include a monthly birthday party, special musical programs, and a favorite…food. Dubbed “Snack-tivities”, the residents celebrate everything from St. Patrick’s Day with mint Oreo milkshakes and other fun holidays such as national guacamole day.
As the weather improves, cookouts and outdoor strolls will also be back on the schedule.
Family visits and off-campus excursions can also be part of the day. As the visiting restrictions eased up, residents are able to enjoy seeing friends, family, and even pets -which staff say has been a great mood lifter.
Resident-Driven Activities Make the Difference
An important distinction about the activities at Borden is that residents are part of the planning, where they can. Kendal’s model of a resident-driven community allows for residents to suggest programs, topics, and activities they are interested in, rather than a static schedule of routine offerings.
While each resident can choose whether to attend a program or enjoy quiet time relaxing in a nook or visiting with family, others who prefer to stay in their room also have access to various activities, too. During some of the distancing protocols in the early days of COVID, the activities staff took the programs to the residents, whether it was entertaining from the hallway or something an individual could do on their time in their room.
The household model allows for the 24 residents to see and interact with each other daily. Other times there are activities that put both households together in their neighborhood adding more variety to their programming and schedules. Each household has an evening program once a week.
As construction wraps up, residents will be able to enjoy the new garden area and large sunroom, two areas where they will be further able to visit with family or attend other activities. Along with the completion of vaccinations, volunteers will also be able to begin coming back and being part of the center.
Looking for Volunteers
The volunteer aspect of living at Kendal at Lexington enriches the lives of not only the residents, but of those who serve. With volunteer programs stopped last year, the activities staff is excited to see volunteers return in the coming months. Whether it’s leading a craft, being part of a singing group, or just offering a helping hand, volunteers are welcome.
An orientation for new volunteers is tentatively set for May. If interested, please contact Katie Harlow at (540) 464-2624.
Sample Day in the Life of a Resident of the Borden Center:
| Morning: Breakfast choice and coffee | Mid-Morning- Shower in the spa with the help of a nursing aid | Before lunch- Beauty parlor -visit for a perm set | Lunch- Choice based on dietary needs | Mid Afternoon- Restorative Nursing Program | Before dinner- Outdoor walk to see and hear birds, drama club or a “Snacktivity” (Baking program) | Dinner: Choice based on dietary needs | Evening- Calming jacuzzi bath or tv in room |
All day: Nurses and nurse aids comes directly to resident’s room to automatically administer medicine and care they may need.
Focus on the individual:
We also focus on dementia care in which the activity focus can be different. We provide activities that are soothing such as our snoozlen cart, aroma therapies, diffusers, weighted blankets, etc.
Sitting in the patio furniture, breathing in the fresh air on a warm sunny day can be very relaxing and therapeutic in our new porch/court yard areas. There are also cement paths that are easily assessable for assistive devices including walkers and wheelchairs. Watering flowers and transplanting plants can happen all year round in our indoor garden.
Used to being a night owl and staying up late? You are in luck because there are no lights out rules here at the Borden Center. There are nurses and CNA’s that are on staff 24/7 so if you need that late night assistance they will be there to meet your needs.
We have three neighborhoods which include Blue Ridge, Shenandoah, and Appalachian and we would love to have you come join us if you need additional assistance.