Unit 4Y recreation therapy team

Brenda Neuman, Joyce Chow, Eudora Chan

The Unit 4Y recreation team at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre demonstrates compassion in exemplary fashion by keeping the residents and families at the centre of all their activities. Brenda, Joyce and Eudora thoughtfully consider individual needs, values and beliefs when planning and implementing recreational activities. Team members take time to develop personal knowledge of each resident and often their family members so that one-on-one activities are well received and that group activities engage everyone.

 For example, Unit 4Y has a higher percentage of Indigenous persons living in residence. Brenda and the team focus particular attention to the cultural and spiritual needs, values and beliefs of this group within the Unit 4Y population. This includes activities particular to Indigenous Awareness Week in June and Orange Shirt Day in September. The team makes additional efforts to reach out to Indigenous entertainers and artists to enhance recreational programming for Unit 4Y residents and the entire facility.

 A number of 4Y residents have been members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. To that end, the recreation team has promoted particular activities during Pride Week in June, as well as created inclusive activities for gender fluid and non-binary residents.

Several residents of the Unit 4Y population have forensic histories. People come to the program often because there is no other place in the long-term care system that can manage and ameliorate their behaviours. The recreation team takes great care to balance safety and socialization in a non-judgmental and thoughtful environment, so that all residents participate as fully as they can in all unit activities. Brenda, Joyce and Eudora demonstrate "the nature of humanity" through their compassionate dedication to each resident – individuals who have often had very difficult journeys through life and the health care system.