Engaging residents and doing good deeds at Symphony of Olmsted Falls
By Patricia Nugent
Symphony at Olmsted Falls has just launched a program that emphasizes an attitude of gratitude. The 2022 Grateful Give Back engages residents, their families and people in the community to shower others with good deeds.
“We appreciate how important feeling grateful and paying it forward can be to each person’s well-being,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Danielle Ridgeway. “With helpful hands and joyful hearts, we have set a goal of doing 2,022 acts of collective goodness for this year, from the humblest thank you to the grandest gestures. We’re asking residents and their families, as well as anyone in the community, to take part, joining our fun monthly events and sharing their gracious acts on our Facebook page with #GratefulGiveBack.”
Every month will follow a specific theme. For instance, in February the focus was on recognizing the team that works at Symphony. Residents designed Valentines to thank the hard-working staff.
The month of March was all about animals.
“Residents made treats for dogs, and had a donation box in our lobby for people to give to a local animal shelter,” says Danielle. “We paid special attention to the delightful feathered friends living in our indoor aviary and outdoor birdhouses. Our residents can also had a visit from Cooper, who is a ‘grand dog’ of a staff member and a very popular guy around here.”
Check the facility’s calendar on its website for a listing of the other themes throughout the year, which range from first responders and teachers to veterans and even Mother Earth.
Ready for Summertime
With the pandemic restrictions loosening, Danielle says they are enjoying venturing out again on bus trips to favorite local places.
Even those who sheltered indoors during the pandemic were able to take virtual trips around the world thanks to the iN2L It’s Never 2 Late Technology.
This highly interactive program takes place via a screen
that takes up a wall in the group activity room.
“It helps us engage residents in cognitive, sensory and tactile ways, and facilitates bringing the world into our little community,” says Danielle. “Our residents are having a ball!”
Feels Like Home
From the rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, to the tree-lined street it’s nestled on steps from historic downtown Olmsted Falls, the feeling at Symphony says, “come in and stay awhile.”
Residents live in 44 spacious and beautifully appointed studio apartments.
Danielle says that since spring break vacations are nearly here, they hope families and caregivers will take advantage of respite care at Symphony, with a two-week minimum stay.
“Over the years, many of our residents started out in respite care,” she says. “There’s nothing like spending a few weeks, joining other residents during meals and activities and getting to know our staff to get a good feel for us.”
Lunch & Learn Series Returns
Danielle is excited to announce they are restarting the Lunch & Learn Series on the third Tuesday of every month. The first one is March 15, from 11:00-11:30 a.m.
“We invite anyone in the community to join us for a complimentary lunch and learn about interesting senior-related topics, with expert speakers who are authorities on senior care.”
RSVP by calling 440-235-2750, or reserving online, as space is limited to the first 30 people.
Meet Kimberly Rodriguez
As the new Director of Health and Wellness at Symphony at Olmsted Falls, Kimberly Rodriguez oversees the nursing staff and resident care.
“I am very happy to be working with such an amazing team and supportive company,” she says.
Nursing is actually a second career for Kimberly. She studied law enforcement and worked for the Lakewood Police Department for 12 years, ultimately deciding to leave police work and enter the healthcare field.
“I worked as an oncology coordinator at Metro Health Medical Center, while attending nursing school full time in the evenings and weekends,” she says. “I have been a nurse for almost 16 years. I knew that after paying my dues, I wanted administrative nursing.”
Kimberly has been a director of nursing for the past 12 years.
“I love the geriatric population,” she says. “Having lost both my parents at young ages, I feel like I was cheated out of watching them grow old. Geriatric nursing is so rewarding and building relationships with residents and their families is why I do it.”
Her favorite pastimes are reading and spending time with family, which includes husband Ruben and daughter Juliana, who is 24 years old and getting married in September.
“Right now, planning for my daughter’s wedding takes up most of my free time, but I enjoy it so much,” she says.
Symphony at Olmsted Falls is located at 25880 Elm Street in Olmsted Falls. Call or schedule a virtual tour. For more information, call 440-235-2750, or visit SymphonyAtOlmstedFalls.com.