Vrezh is a pianist and singer who comes out to Park Plaza Senior Apartments in North Hollywood, CA, every few months to entertain and energize the residents. They really do love him. He speaks some of their languages, plays games with them, and dances with them. He is a bright light of positivity and joy.
Valentine’s Day Concert
Timeslips Storytelling Event/Resident Spotlight
From Tanya Kutukdjian, Programs Assistant:
This month I’d like to share some great progress with our resident, Clara.
Clara is a very sweet woman who is always greeting me with a smile. However, she has isolated herself for some time since her husband passed away. She used to participate in bingo once in a while, but she hadn’t come around for over a year. She also never joined in on the fun events we had.
Recently I noticed she gradually began sitting nearby during our bingo games and eventually, with some coaxing from her fellow residents, has started to participate again!
But even more exciting is her participation in the TimeSlips group. This is something that is very difficult for many of our residents, as they are required to step out of their comfort zones. This can be particularly challenging for a quiet and withdrawn individual like Clara. She began as an observer, and I’m happy to share that she participated fully during our last TimeSlips group.
Clara had many wonderful ideas and stories to share about the story picture prompt instructor Sarah Jacobus presented. She even had the courage to present different scenarios and engage the other group members to think outside the box.
Clara is only one of quite a few residents who have been stepping out of their comfort zones to participate in TimeSlips. We see the interest growing as residents gather more and more to become part of the group, as active participants and enthusiastic observers.
Clara at left, instructor Sarah at far right.
~ Elizabeth Sampson, Program Director
