January 30, 2021

Lynn Lange, Supervisor of Therapeutic Recreation

Many people think of my role as “activities.” And it is, but we focus on using activities that people like to do – like certain hobbies – and adapt them so they can still do them in the event they’ve experienced an illness or disability. We have some programs that are so beneficial to our senior residents. One is our music and memory program. We set people up with an iPod with that person’s music, and it can be amazing. We had a resident with dementia who was very restless and anxious, but when we played her music, everything changed. It was honestly that fast. When she heard her song, she would be just fine.

So many of our residents have a special place in my heart. One woman loved to embroider, but her eyesight was poor so she couldn’t thread a needle. I would go in every day and thread about five needles for her in different colors so she could do her sewing. While I did that, we had some great talks. I just loved her. And the day she died, she asked for me just before she passed. That was a tough one – I’ll never forget her. And then there was a little gal named Grace. She was so nice and kind. I told her, if I ever have another baby, I’m going to name her ‘Grace.’ And that’s why I have my daughter Grace today.