聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Carlyle's Bertha Isleifson had a dream- to form a group of dedicated volunteers who would work to enhance the everyday lives of the residents of聽 Moose Mountain Lodge (MML). As the founder of the volunteer group, Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge, Isleifson and her fellow 鈥淔riends鈥� have succeeded far beyond what they had envisioned just over two years ago.
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淚 never imagined it would go as well as it has gone,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he support and interest has been incredible.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 Since it was founded in late 2014, the Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge have made improvements in almost all aspects of the resident's lives.
听听听听听听听听听听听 Inside the Lodge, a new TV-with improved programming- has been placed in the Activity Room, along with new tables. The common area has also been upgraded with new dining tables, new loveseats and new pictures on the walls and both the family room and the palliative care room have new furnishings and other decorative improvements- all added with the intent of making the spaces more comfortable and pleasant for both the residents and their families.
听听听听听听听听听听听 And one item on Isleifson's original wish list was granted, too: 鈥淎 wall-mounted hairdryer so people confined to wheelchairs can have their hair done, too.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淎 few years ago, when I visited the nursing home in Redvers, I saw that they had a big hairdryer mounted on the wall, with a big arm,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 remember thinking that for our ladies who are in big wheelchairs, that would be such a nice thing for them. It would make the experience of getting their hair done so much easier on them. And now we have one.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 Isleifson has worked as a licensed practical nurse in this area since 1985- mostly at Moose Mountain Lodge- and says: 鈥淲e have a wonderful facility here. But there's always room for improvement and the Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge are committed to improving the quality of life for our residents and providing things that are fun for them, because who doesn't like to have fun?鈥澛�
听听听听听听听听听听听 Improvements have been made to areas on the Lodge's grounds, by the Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge with assistance from other groups and individuals, including the Carlyle & District Lions, the Dickens Festival Committee, residents' families and others.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The Lodge's outdoor patio has been re-carpeted, the gazebo has been repainted and the Carlyle & District Lions have provided picnic tables that are more accessible for use by residents. Near the entrance to the facility, Carlyle's Dickens Festival Committee has donated a Victorian bench and the Carlyle History Book Committee has donated decorative ornaments. In both spaces, flowerbeds have been tidied and new plantings have been added.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The outdoor improvements have resulted in the revival of the traditional family barbeque, now held at the Lodge during the past two summers-with donated manpower, food and entertainment. Residents and guests also support the Carlyle & District Food Bank at the annual gathering.
听听听听听听听听听听听 Fruit, flowers and assistance at birthday or anniversary celebrations are also supplied by the FMML, but Isleifson says: 鈥淎ll of these things are really appreciated by the residents, but the events that stand out the most are outings for our residents who are able and entertainment that we bring to them.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淚n all of us, boredom has the potential to lead us to positive or destructive action,鈥� explains Isleifson. 鈥淲e all look for excitement when we're bored, and by adding things that are enjoyable to the lives of our residents-we can make sure their quality of life is better.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淥ur residents are people with disabilities of all ages,鈥� adds Lsleifson. 鈥淎nd some of them are younger people. All of them really enjoy the special events here.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 Among those special events are: pie- and tart-making demonstrations by Carlyle's Dennis Feduk, pub nights and concerts by a roster of artists which include 鈥淓lvis鈥� Rory Allen, country recording artist Eli Barsi, Michele Amy's fiddle troupe and Carlyle's Happy Wanderers.
听听听听听听听听听听听 FMML members and staff have also arranged transport (for residents who are physically able)聽 to attend聽 productions by Cornerstone Theatre.
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淲e're always working on new things,鈥� says Isleifson. 鈥淎nd we welcome new members anytime. But people can also contribute in so many other ways, too.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淲e welcome donations of any kind. Right now, we really need donations earmarked for weekend entertainment,鈥� she says. 鈥� For some of our residents, the weekends are pretty quiet, so we'd like to bring in some entertainment for them. Or, if anyone out there can spare some of their time and talent for an hour on a weekend, they can contact our Activity Department and we'll make it work.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淪omething as simple as stopping in for a visit is huge,鈥� adds Isleifson. 鈥淲e have a wonderful facility here, but there are always things that can improve our residents' quality of life and we're happy to keep working to provide things that are fun for them.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淲e've been able to make real progress since Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge started,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e have so many people and groups that have stepped in and supported our mission. And we're also so thankful to our staff, because they've really got on board with everything the Friends have done.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淲e can't thank all of these people enough.鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听听 For more information, contact Bertha Isleifson at: (306)-577-9644.
听听听听听听听听听听听
