Fish fryin' up some great summer memories

Outdoors on the dock a great place for reminiscence

July 9, 2012 -- Kristian Partington

On a warm summer day there are few better places to be than on a dock in a shaded glade by clear water with a fishing pole in hand.

Six residents from Streamway Villa spent a late June day in just such a place with life enrichment co-ordinator Christina Verleysen, fellow team member Nancy Williams and their husbands.

Williams’ sister-in-law owns a quaint cottage not far from the Cobourg long-term care home that’s sheltered from neighbours with a stocked fish pond and new dock that was perfect for residents to spend a comfortable afternoon enjoying a fish fry and the peace of a quiet day in nature.

There was a serene sense or reminiscence in the air the instant the group arrived at the pond, says Williams.

“It was just fabulous,” she says. “The scenery is just beautiful — it’s right out in the wilderness, the birds were chirping and there were some wildflowers around; just the whole atmosphere was very nice.”

Verleysen’s husband, whom she describes as “addicted to fishing,” supplied gear and pickerel for the fish fry, and was helpful landing the fish, bringing in a three-pound bass on the first cast of the afternoon.

She says the day was a huge success giving residents an affordable opportunity to spend a day doing something a little different.

“Residents were reminiscing about the first time that they had a fish fry,” she says, and Williams points out this is probably the greatest benefit of this type of outing.

“It’s about reconnecting with their past, with their hobbies, and knowing that even though they’re in a home setting here, that it’s not the end of their interests,” Williams says.

Discovering interests among residents and finding ways to ignite them is a major focus of the team, she adds, and as they discover more of them, new ideas for meaningful activities are sure to emerge.

If you have questions, comments or a story to share, please contact 800-294-0051, ext. 24, or e-mail kristian(at)axiomnews.ca.







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