Donna's Blog: It's Not Either-Or

Donna's Blog: It's Not Either-Or

The Joy of Generations

Every now and then, day care encounters an individual who is anxious and upset that they are being left behind by their loved one for the day. A child will cry out and ask for their mother. A man will ask over and over again where his wife is and when he can go home. From childhood to adulthood, St. Ann's staff has found this to be a consistency throughout life's stages. Here at St. Ann's, the many generations find solace in each other.

A young girl repeatedly asking for her mother and crying during an intergenerational activity at St. Ann's Shepherd House, was placed on the lap of a client, suffering from dementia, who often grows upset by the absence of his wife. The two were instantly calmed. Together, they participated in activities with the other children and adults, without tears or nervous questioning.

A remarkable sight to see, but ever so common within the walls of St. Ann's, proving once again how the importance of intergenerational care is apparent as a successful therapy for a variety of generations.

Submitted by Stacy Ory

Donna's Blog: Inter-Generational Center Site Visit A Success!

Donna's Blog: Inter-Generational Center Site Visit A Success!

BEATITUDES for caregivers of people with Disabilities

Blessed are you who take the time to listen to difficult speech. If I persevere, I can be understood.

Blessed are you who never bid me to “hurry up” or take my tasks from me and do them for me. For I often need time, rather than help.

Blessed are you who stand beside me as I enter new and untried ventures….myself and you.

Blessed are you who ask for my help. For my greatest need is to be needed.

Blessed are you who, with a smile, encourage me to try once more.

Blessed are you who never remind me that today I ask the same question twice.

Blessed are you who respect me and love me just as I am.



Author Unknown

Our Clients Front and Center

The importance of client-centered care Shepherd House is very uniquely designed to specialize in dementia care and care for people with other memory problems. We emphasize the importance of maintaining independence and memory function through keeping active. Since everyone can be active in various ways, the staff at St. Ann's Center prefers client-centered care which is planning activities according to what our clients prefer to do. Each person has their choice, whether it be quilting, fishing, cards, building birdhouses, caring for plants, playing music, or just relaxing and conversing about the good ol' days.

Shepherd House incorporates three different types of activities per day: physical, mental, and social. Physical activities involve parachute games, silver sneakers fitness classes, and Wii sports/ Wii fitness games to bring back the sport and competition that many of our clients used to enjoy in their leisure time. Mental activities consist of trivia games, word puzzles, group discussions on historical events, and trips down memory lane, discussing a favorite toy as a child or a memory of the end of WWII. Social activities are incorporated into both physical and mental activities by keeping clients in small and personal groups to allow each one the chance at answers, questions, and introducing a variety of topics.

Shepherd House also employs client-centered care when planning outings. Special trips to the Harley Davidson Museum for those who used to ride, the Milwaukee Art Museum for the former art enthusiast, and fishing on Scout Lake for the avid sports person. The list goes on.

Whatever their preferences, Shepherd House has an activity plan for each person! After all, why should people change their lives drastically just to accommodate an inflexible program? We are here for our guests and look forward to their favorite activity as much as they do!

Written by Stacy M. Ory
Shepherd House Staff

Drums for Everyone

An intergenerational music group led by our music therapist, Leslie Henry, was recently being conducted in the adult unit.

Drums were handed out to all adults and mallets to all of the children to play with their adult friends. The music therapist held the drum at an angle on the side of Mark, a man with cerebral palsy. With his fists clenched and arm outstretched he began extending his arm backwards to play while the other adults and children played.

Tommy from the Monarch room sat wide-eyed with his mouth open, studying how Mark hit the drum. He looked puzzled and amazed all the same time. Leslie gently took Tommy’s hand and helped him to begin tapping on the drum. Tommy hesitantly joined in on his own as he began to feel a little more comfortable with this new drummer friend. Together they shared some smiles, laughs, music, and greater understanding of each other.

Written by Leslie Henry, Music Therapist

‘M’ Is For the Many Things She Gave You

This Mother’s Day, Give the ‘M’ Back, with the Gift of Massage. The Wellness department is the one-stop shop for all your spring gift giving needs. St. Ann Center has four massage therapists on staff to meet your massage therapy needs. They would be happy to fit you into their schedule. Just give them a call 414-977-5056.

Gift certificates and gift baskets to order are available at all times. In addition to massage therapy, St. Ann Center offers manicures, pedicures and hair care in the full service beauty salon. All services offered by the Wellness department are available to individuals in the community by appointment.

For a complete listing of services offered, check out our website at www.stanncenter.org or stop by at the front desk to pick up our Wellness brochure.

Massage costs: 20 minute massages are $20.00, 30 minutes massages are $30.00 and 60 minute massages are $60.00

Think Spring! Think Mother’s Day!

Written by, Sandy Anderson, St. Ann Center Massage Therapist, 414-977-5056