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economist suntribune health care saturday aug 102002 bringing nursing homes to life pets plants children comfort alzheimer s patients and help seniors feel needed from page 1 sion and anxiety and may require less medication she has seen residents with alzheimers disease and other dementias who are usually quiet start to talk and smile when dogs or cats come around residents are encouraged to talk about the pets theyve had youngsters from the chick-a- dee day nursery school visit parkview regularly to bring youthful interaction to the seniors a staunch advocate of the eden alternative is jennie pimek of the union villa hbhie for senior citizens in unionville she is beginning to introduce the concept to staff residents and their families as soon as she began her posi tion as director of long term care in may she started bringing her poo dle to work residents save up treats for annie and look for her when shes not around the dog visits residents and occasionally naps in the hall ways the eden concept is not just about the animals said mrs pimek who has taken intensive courses to become a certified eden associate it is giving people things to do and a chance to feel needed as she introduces the concept at union villa she has to keep in mind that some people prefer plants over animals and some just want to look rather than feed or care for animals next to dogs and cats large enclosures of finches are most pop ular they just capture the attention of those with dementia she said the eden alternative allows long term care facilities to keep things normal and as close to home life as possible mrs pimek explained at green gables manor in the northern part of whitchurch- stouffville an edenlike program combines pet therapy and a horticul tural program where residents with green thumbs are responsible for caring for their own minigardens green gables director of resi dent services robyn stewart noted plant containers are raised so that theyre reachable from wheelchairs one resident is in the process of teaching one of the green gables birds to talk eden principles will be expanded once the new longterm facility is built onto the current green gables building staff photomike barrett parkview home in stouffville is going to the birds rabbits and cats here resident frank burkholder gets a visit from billie boy a male cockatiel the biggest thing we can do said ms stewart is to simulate a homelike environment with meaningful activities so the fears of those with alzheimers and other dementias are lessened she has found that offering more programs for shorter times increases the programs quality and the residents enjoyment markhaven long term care facility on parkway avenue in markham will include eden princi ples in its new building which is slated for construction starting in october st john therapy dogs have been visiting for several years residents talk to him and give him hugs said program director hazel moore the facility also has a gardening staff photosteve somerville helen moorhouse picks off a cherry tomato from the vegetable garden at markhaven in markham annabelle gallagher looks on behind is esther cashman examining a fresh crop of morning glory flowers and flower arranging program staff make sure all activities are non- threatening as perceived by those with dementia the homes scentsations pro gram allows residents to smell and feel a variety of flowers and other materials while the reminiscing program aims to restore their memories ms moore said sounds such a cow mooing might remind someone of their life on a farm for instance we are trying to make life as normal as possible for them she added and to keep things going from their past interests at versacare in markham pro gram manager karen bunting uses many of the same ideas to cele brate residents lives the facility has cats birds and a fish tank and an indoor and out door gardening program when the facility moves to richmond hill shortly it will adopt an edenlike concept called alive the more humane concept also has an effect on nursing home staff she has found there is less turn over and higher morale 1020 denison st unit 115 9059479575 website wwwmarkhamfurniturecom hfabfrstiiorcf kdvnmk e0wftstsfn markham furniture is owned and operated by bill rlzk forlhcr barrymorc furniture plant manager markham furniture builds sells quality sofas at factory prices voted the best furniture manufacturer in markham 2001 but we seem to think that we are the best upholstery service in town as well trust us with all your upholstery andor reupholstery needs visit us at our new location summer hours mon sat 106