Sometimes it’s great to get away, to step outside the norm, to have an adventure, to relive glory days. That’s what we try to provide for our residents every day at Trilogy Health Services. Through our Inspired Living programs residents have the chance to experience life as they never thought could still be possible. Recently our incredible Life Enrichment team put just such an adventure together for some of our residents. Please enjoy this account of our 2014 Indiana University Enrichment Retreat.

What happens when 127 Long-Term Care Residents and Staff are given the opportunity to experience a College Campus for 24 hours?

Surprises – A handsome young singer from “Another Round” pulled Ladonna B. out of the crowd to dance. This hit a rhythmic nerve with Georgiana S. and she could not restrain herself! She ran up to the stage and took a young man’s hand for a dance.

Spirit – Each campus came prepared with a cheer to perform at the evening’s “Collegiate Capers” celebration. Residents were creative and challenging as they cheered for Life Enrichment, challenged and even cheered for each other as they took turns chanting – “We’re not rude, and we’re not mean. We’re going to cheer for the other team!”

       
       
 

Spontaneity –“Cheerleaders” Sandee M. and Brittany P. made an arch for the football players to run through. Then, to relieve some of their excess energy, they turned cartwheels!

Support – Two IU football players came to Collegiate Capers to pass footballs to the audience, give IU lanyards to everyone and meet a new “fan base”. What they didn’t know is that we came to support them! They were given a pumpkin signed by all residents with their names and ages. This pumpkin was meant to be a symbol of what the IU team needed to win; with ages representing years of perseverance and overcoming challenges. What a great fan base to have supporting your team!

       
       

Song – Classical organ could be boring to some but far from it for this engaged audience! They requested “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” Dracula’s theme, traditional hymns and many others! Yet the most touching thing that happened was when a resident who played the organ got to sit next to the organist despite his limited mobility. Jim gave us a thumbs-up, and then his attention was solely on the sounds coming through 3,838 pipes! 

       
       
 

Shaking it Up – Flash Mob! Fifteen minutes away, Chopper wanted the bus to turn around and take him home. Little did he know that he would lead a “flash mob” in a large student study lounge just a short time later. The “mob” entered the quiet student lounge with Chopper leading. They created a circle and began to sing “God Bless America” to the studying audience! When it was finished, cheers and applause met their serenade. You don’t have to be young to do a flash mob!


Student Service – IU students made this retreat possible as they guided the residents through the campus. They also decorated, filled goodie bags, delivered bags to rooms, packed buses and, more importantly, were a youthful breath of fresh air!

       
       

Seniors Become Students – Every participant in the retreat became a Life Long Learner! Residents learned about the Thomas Hart Benton “Hall of Murals” which was inspired by the Hoosier work ethic and their social and industrial progress in 1933. The best part is the residents who toured the art were the very people who inspired it!

       
       


Sports Fans – A few out-of-control fan buses somehow made their way to Assembly Hall without a prior invitation! They were allowed to go down onto the court where they took a few shots and in the vastness of the stadium. Imagine the energy that filled it on a game day!

       
       

 

Sincerity – LaVerta T., a Hearthstone Health Campus resident, was the first African American woman to hold a professional position at IU and was the first director of the “Group Scholars Program.” Marietta Simpson, elegant voice professor, sang a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” to honor LaVerta’s achievements. As they embraced after the song, the “little light” got even brighter.

Sentiments

–         Ardie had canceled her retreat reservation twice and then decided to go at the last minute. She said, “Boy, am I glad I came.”

–        Marvin L. wasn’t sure about coming, but being the big sport’s fan that he is, he decided to attend. No regrets, as he was pleasantly surprised that he got to throw a basketball and meet the football team! At morning breakfast, he smiled and stated, “FIRE CRACKER, FIRE CRACKER, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!”

Retreat 2014 was such a great hit that we had to share. We hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as we did living it.