Halcyon residents raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease

The weekly worship service held in Epworth Chapel on the campus of Halcyon House in Washington was led by Scott Johnson of Bethel Church. The scripture lesson was from the book of Nehemiah, and the message was on the topic, “Don’t Give Up.” Dorothy Koehler provided piano accompaniment, and guest Lucy Johnson joined the group.

On June 21, the 2022 summer solstice, Halcyon House participated in raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease along with people across the world in a day-long event called “The Longest Day.” Residents and team members were encouraged to wear purple clothing. Household residents worked together to finish a 300-piece puzzle.

Photos were taken of residents and team members holding signs with information about the impact that Alzheimer’s disease has had not only on those with the disease but those affected by it, including: “In the United States, more than 10 million women are either living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone who has it.” “In 2022, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $312 billion. By 2050, these costs could reach nearly $1 trillion.” “More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.”

Sagewood residents had a “Wheelchair Yoga” class to celebrate national yoga day on June 21. They invited residents of the Wedgewood and Arborwood households to play bingo on Wednesday. They snuggled kittens on Thursday, and a pop-up Hawaiian luau was celebrated on Friday. This colorful party included tropical-style food, straw hats, scarves, coconuts, parrots, blue beverages, leis, flowers, grass hula skirts, a tiki bar and a sign saying that shoes were optional.

Residents of Wedgewood residents added a few pieces to the Longest Day puzzle challenge. They enjoyed root beer floats as refreshments during “Joggin’ Your Noggin”, ventured outside the household doors to pick up treats at the Hawaiian luau, donned luau garb, and watched team members hula dance.

More stories were read from the book, Why Farm Wives Age Fast, to residents of the Rosewood household. One of the stories featured a skunk and the comedy increased as the story neared the end. This summer’s gardening in the household courtyard features the planting and tending of field corn plants. Growth is calculated daily and one overnight measurement was two inches. Every day provides a new opportunity to measure the corn’s height which brings satisfaction to the residents.

The art wall in Rosewood is displaying new paintings created in a recent project that used random swirls of watercolors which, once dried, were outlined by thin black ink.

Brown and yellow tabby kittens from the farm came to residents of the households and enjoyed the attention of the residents and team members who loved to pet their fur and feel the comforting purrs.

Arborwood residents participated in singing led by Mary Jo Koehler on guitar. They also attended the Luau on Friday.

Community life, humor and wisdom at Halcyon has been encouraged by the addition of a “Wish Board” which has been placed in the library. Team members and residents have written answers in temporary colored ink to the question on the board, “What would you say to your future self?” A few of the answers include, “Always keep your word”, “Like the song says: If you get a chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you DANCE!”, “You don’t have to say ‘yes’ all the time!” (to add humor, someone wrote beneath it, “But it helps”), and “Spend time with loved ones!!”.

A happy birthday is wished to the following residents who celebrate theirs in July: Bea Johnson, Carolyn Kaufman, Johnie Arbogast, Loretta Gardner, Evelyn Garrett, Ethel Hendrickson, Mary Saforek, Bonnie Buck, Jim Dunn, Lois Greiner, Rosemary Laing, Jane Leiden, Melva Mineart-Triplett, Erma Ropp, Beth Sauser, Vada Secrest, Fred Stark, Dan Stauffer, Don Vogel, Marylin Weatherman, and Nancy Stark.