Burnbrae LEA lauded for her creativity

Karen Lloyd brings spur-of-the-moment meditation to residents

August 5, 2011 -- Deron Hamel

Burnbrae Gardens life enrichment co-ordinator April Faux was walking past the home's activity room Thursday morning when she saw something she had never seen before — residents meditating.

And leading residents through the meditation process was life enrichment aide (LEA) Karen Lloyd, a team member at the Campbellford long-term care home known for using her creativity to engage residents.

Lloyd had been running the home's fun and fitness class and, to wind the program down, decided to show residents the art of meditation.

"Everyone's eyes were closed and the residents were all meditating with (Lloyd)," Faux tells the OMNIway.

"It was just something out of the ordinary that she decided to do. It was an excellent end to the fun and fitness program."

Faux says Lloyd is a champion in the life enrichment department when it comes to resident engagement, adding that 38 of the home's 43 residents attend her Sunday spiritual-care class.

Lloyd notes that residents have hectic lives like everyone else. Knowing the benefits of meditation, the LEA says she decided on the spot to use techniques to teach the 10 or so residents about relaxation.

"I talked them through (the meditation process) just to get their hands relaxed, (and) their head, their shoulders and all their body parts (relaxed), and they just kept on going with me, which was really great," says Lloyd, adding some residents watching from the hallway followed along.

"It was really neat to do this with the residents."

If you have a story you would like to share with the OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

Back to News