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Local Yonkers Students Brighten the Halls of Adira

Thanks to our Director of Activities, Helen O’Brien, we have a rich activities program at Adira. She keeps our residents and patients engaged with a diverse array of options. Perhaps one of the most popular sessions, is when we bring in some volunteers to join the fun.

This week, a group of over twenty high school student volunteers from Yonkers Montessori Academy, came to Adira and engaged with our seniors. 

All of our volunteers are wonderful, and we are lucky to have many,  but the energetic vitality that these bright young people bring into our facility simply cannot be understated. Their smiles, laughter and vibrant spirits, elevated the moods of everyone at Adira, especially our seniors!

The students spilt into two groups and so they could work their magic throughout the facility. While one group played games, that even included a few sports programs, the other bunch decorated a Spring themed bulletin board and they continued the artistic fun with some painting.

Life in a nursing home can be isolating but community based volunteer programs like this one, help our residents remain engaged and connected to the world around them. Big thanks to the students from Yonkers Montessori Academy, we look forward to having you back again!

If you, or your students, would be interested in volunteering at Adira, please contact Helen O’Brien at 914-963-3333.

 

March Employee of the Month: Dan Maloney

Each month at Adira, we select one of our hard working individuals to be recognized as Employee of the Month. We are lucky in that all of our staff is wonderful but we like to take the time to recognize those who go above and beyond.

This month we’ve selected Recreation Leader, Dan Maloney.

Dan has been working with our recreation department for eight months but has been working with seniors for over thirty years. His favorite activity is active games and he always carries activities in his trunk–we love a man who is prepared!

Helen O’Brien, the Director of Volunteer & Recreation services, said it best, ” Dan was chosen because, although he works part time, his presence is felt throughout the facility. He has a warm smile and a positive attitude that puts everyone at ease. Dan is a genuinely nice person, an exemplary employee and we are lucky to have him.”

Thank you, Dan for being a part of the Adira family!

 

Our Director of Activities, Helen O’Brien

If you’ve been following the Adira Facebook page recently, you’ve seen photos and videos from any number of activities and events that we provide for our residents and patients. Whether it’s a monthly birthday celebration, morning coffee talk, Zumba or a holiday party, we are never lacking for fun at Adira.

All that fun, however, doesn’t simply appear. Not by a long shot. The vibrant activity calendar, which enriches the lives of our residents and patients, is lovingly crafted by our Director of Activities, Helen O’Brien.

For Helen, working with seniors has been a lifelong passion.

While growing up in the Bronx, she would spend countless summer evenings sitting outside and listening to the seniors tell stories about when the Grand Concourse was all farmland or their experiences performing in Vaudeville. Her first recreation job was at 17 years old at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale.

Helen was inspired to pursue this career path by the seniors themselves and it was their willingness to share their history which sparked her passion. “There is always something new to discover in those experiences. They are genuine…they don’t pretend to be something they are not. Most of all, they appreciate the little things.”

When I asked Helen if she had a favorite event or activity she found it difficult to pick only one. “I always enjoy reminiscing but I think staying focused on the present is really what counts. I enjoy seeing the residents enjoying themselves at parties, dancing, singing and having cake or showing me artwork they have created.”

Since Helen’s arrival at Adira, we’ve seen an increase in the different types of activities that are offered. She works diligently to provide a diverse array of community based programs that engage the residents and patients.

Welcome to the Adira family, Helen. We can’t wait to see what unique events you come up with next.