MOUNT VERNON – The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for senior citizens in many ways, but the staff of The Laurels of Mt. Vernon has found creative ways to brighten the days of residents.
The horses and ponies, in particular, were a big hit.
“They loved it,” activities director Sonjia Allonas told the Mount Vernon News. “The petting zoo contacted us and we had them come in. We took our guests outside. For the guests who couldn’t go outside, we would take the animals around to their windows.”
The hits will keep coming. In April, the Laurels is planning a hula hoop contest.
“Our staff will go around to the rooms and do the hula hoops,” Allonas said.
There will also be a talent show sing-off.
“In May, we’re going to a big-wheel race,” she said. “That’s only going to involve the grandkids and the kids of our staff members.”
In June, there will be a baby-crawling contest outside, with social distancing in place.
“The guests have done without for so long during COVID-19, we’re just trying to bring extra joy to them,” Allonas said. “We know they love seeing little kids, and they will love seeing our staff members’ little kids.”
The Laurels recently purchased hanging shoe racks and filled them with snacks for the guests.
“We put chips in, fig bars and cookies,” Allonas said. “The guests had to use a Nerf gun to shoot at what they wanted. They automatically got it whether they missed or not.”
Root beer floats are popular with the guests.
“Just to do something different, we did orange floats with orange sherbet, orange soda, Cool Whip on top,” Allonas said. “They loved those too.”
Before COVID-19, the Columbus Zoo came out to the Laurels with penguins, possums and other animals. There were also frequent field trips and shopping trips for the residents. The Laurels looks forward to when life is back to normal and they are able to go out again.
In the meantime, the staff is constantly trying to think outside the box for activities.
All staff and residents who wished to have COVID-19 vaccines have received them.
