Autumn Care
By Lisa Burgess and Ashley Kraus
Are you looking for a fun way to help others and learn in the process? Located off of Old Balsam Road, Autumn Care, a nursing home set in the beautiful mountains of Waynesville, offers a scenic view with plenty of sunshine and beautiful, lush gardens for residents to enjoy while sitting on the front porch in an old-fashioned rocking chair. Autumn Care welcomes volunteers to assist in the activities for the Autumn Care residents. Whatever your interests are, Autumn Care is the place to volunteer!
Autumn Care offers on-site occupational therapy with specialists who provide therapy to both short-  and long-term residents. Autumn Care has 24-hour nursing care, 24-hour on-call doctor care, transportation to off-site medical appointments, a no-smoking environment and a sensory room. The sensory room has relaxing and colorful lighting, aromas and music to soothe any stress the resident may have. Autumn Care offers an array of activities for volunteers and residents to participate in, including formal affairs, like the Valentine’s Day Ball, religious services, pizza parties and bingo.
Barbara Diez, the administrator of Waynesville’s Autumn Care, ensures that every resident has an enriching experience during their stay at Autumn Care: “The residents love being here so much that it is difficult to get them to leave. Autumn Care provides the friendly, social atmosphere and the supreme quality care that these residents need.” A residence council monitors concerns and facilitates solutions with Diez on behalf of the other residents.
The most important bonus for the residents is the volunteers who come and spend quality time talking, reminiscing and assisting in the fun games and activities that Autumn Care provides. Volunteers can also help at meal times and provide personal attention to the residents. Western Carolina University is presently participating in a Pen Pal Program with some of the residents. Everyone loves to get mail! Whether you are interested in Social Work, Occupational Therapy or just spending time with a fellow human being, Autumn Care is the place for volunteering and service learning.
For more information, contact www.autumncorp.com.
|
