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In 2016, two nursing homes in Scotland undertook a remarkable project. They created a group program for its residents to see what effects it would have. Administrators there took a scientific approach, studying residents’ reactions to various gardening activities – and they were excited by the results.

Residents were more engaged, both socially and in terms of focusing on daily tasks like caring for their plants. One woman spent more time outside, while another was prompted to start talking more about her grief and her love of nature. Another woman didn’t actively garden herself, but she talked with more of the people who were as she walked the garden pathways.

These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve learned from this project and other studies that group activities in general can:

• Reduce loneliness in older people 
• Encourage people to interact more with each other, further reducing loneliness and increasing their social engagements
• Reduce the risk of dementia including Alzheimer’s
• Increase physical activity levels
• Get more residents outside and out of their rooms more often
• Reduce pain
• Improve attention spans
• Lower stress
• Reduce agitation
• Improve a sense of community and inclusion

…and so many other inter-related benefits. In fact, “inter-related” is a key idea here. Group activities create a snowball effect of increasing benefits of more exercise, more socialization, and less isolation and loneliness. 

Incidentally, studies also show that these benefits to residents have a positive effect on staff. It’s not hard to see that reducing stress and agitation in residents while increasing teamwork and community will help staff in their role as caregivers and supporters.

Copley at Stoughton doesn’t have a formalized gardening program, but we do have many group activities. We’ve seen firsthand how beneficial it is to get everyone out of their rooms, moving around, and socializing.

Still, it is reassuring when I see the benefits of group activities written in black and white. This year more than ever, we want to encourage everyone to take part. People thrive on social interactions, and making closer connections keeps us engaged and vibrant.

-Steve Tyer

1. P.S. – you can read about the Scottish gardens here.

On March 8, we celebrated International Women’s Day. It’s a day I take to heart, especially in my industry. Women play a tremendous role in health care. In fact,  statistics show Massachusetts leads the country with the highest percentage of active women physicians. This will continue to grow, as according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA), more than 53.5% of MD applicants in 2019-2020 came from woman.

Obstetrics in particular, has seen a significant rise in the number of women. My father was an obstetrician, as many of you know, and I remember a time when there were almost no women in that specialty. Today, almost 80% of ob/gyns in the US are women.

These are just a couple, albeit powerful, examples. Here at Copley,  a large percentage of the staff are women. COVID has not been easy on any of us. But it is women who took on the brunt of it. They are the caregivers here at Copley, but they are most often the caregivers at home, too. They carry the emotional workload for everyone. For many, that burden got to be overwhelming at times. These have not been easy times, but they would have been much harder without their commitment to making the best of everything.

If there’s a clear takeaway, it is we should do more to support the women in our lives. That’s something that we can do every day, at work and at home, and not just once a year.

Author Margaret Cousins said it best:

“Appreciation can change a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into all into words is all that is necessary.”

So thank you to all women, especially those who are so dedicated and committed to caring for our Copley residents. We literally could not do what we do without you!

Steve Tyer

Physical rehab after injury, elective surgery, or disease is crucial to recovery – and quality of care has a huge impact. Copley at Stoughton provides some of the best rehab care available right here in the Stoughton area, seven days per week.

 Copley offers what is called subacute rehabilitation. It is for guests who no longer need the acute care a hospital provides, but who are not quite ready to go home on their own. There are many different therapy disciplines. Physical, occupational and speech therapy have some overlap, but they focus on different areas of recovery:

• PT focuses on the skeletal system, helping you regain strength and overall function through exercises, stretches, and other physical activities. Physical therapists are usually the ones overseeing your initial assessments.
• OT, on the other hand, works on motor skills to help you regain specific daily tasks. Occupational therapists will recommend exercises and strategies to help you better adapt to your environment in the short and/or long term.
• Patients may also work with Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to help with any speech or swallowing issues.

All rehab programs are customized to each individual and depend on the injury, surgery, or disease, how much it affected you, and how much recovery you need. The overall goal is to increase strength, regain gross motor coordination (such as walking), and fine motor coordination (such as using a spoon or pen). Rehab programs for elective surgeries like a hip or knee, typically take anywhere from seven days to two weeks, as it is a planned and controlled program. On the other hand, surgeries like these that result from an accident may take longer, depending on the extent of the injury and the person’s motivation level.

Monitoring your progress is a critical piece of any rehab program, so you can do what will help most and avoid activities that could set you back again. Once your rehab services are completed at an in-house facility, your therapists will provide you with an at-home program to continue making progress. Pain management may be another aspect of rehabilitation, balancing the need to get your body moving again with the need for your body to rest and recover.

There are many unexpected medical situations that require rehabilitation, but if you are preparing for elective surgery, it is important to schedule your rehab services ahead of time whenever possible. For example, if you are requiring a hip, knee, or another type of non-emergency surgery, plan for your rehab too. You have a choice of where to go for rehabilitation services, so take time to do some research to ensure you’re getting the best care possible and one that is a convenient location for your family and you.

Your best bet is to talk to your primary care physician or your specialist to find out what to expect in your specific case. Copley at Stoughton is available to answer any questions and  happy to set up a time to speak to you about our programs so you can make an informed decision.

Steve Tyer, Administrator

There is within the borders of Stoughton a parchment-wrapped record book that states on its first page: “This Book belongs to the Stoughton Musical Society and contains the Rules and Regulations whereby the said Society are governed.” It is dated November 7, 1786, making ours the oldest choral musical society in the United States today.

Why is this important? History is certainly part of it. Stoughton is also one of the oldest towns in America, founded by pilgrims and pioneers who wanted to escape the intolerances of Europe at that time. The tradition continues today. Stoughton famously was the first in Massachusetts to declare itself a “No Place for Hate” town. We have this incredible capacity to be accepting of other people – which is just another way of saying, I think, that we like to be neighborly.

I see that neighborly spirit every day. Copley at Stoughton is not like many of the other nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. We are much more rooted in community than most. Certainly the fact that we are independent helps. But also the Stoughton spirit permeates the town and everyone in it including Copley. And we are all better for that.

The reason I’m musing on all of this is because we are still going through difficult times. The recent wave seems even harder this time because, well, it’s just been going on so long. We thought we saw light, but it was just a glimpse.

You might wonder why I’m confident we’ll get through it though. I try to imagine the hardships those first pilgrims endured, leaving England for the long ocean voyage to Boston and then heading south through forest and the wilds to stop here in what would become Stoughton. I get so much inspiration from their story, traveling out into the unknown with an open heart. Did it feel like home when they got here? What difficulties did they face? How did they band together to come through the other side okay?

Because they did come out okay, or we wouldn’t be here today. And, we came out of it with the harmonies of the Old Stoughton Musical Society. There is a lesson in that. We come from stronger stuff than we think.

Thank you to all for your words of support over the last several months. And, I hope, we have been a source of support for you too. The health and safety of your loved ones here at Copely are our number one concern, and it’s a responsibility we take seriously. Let’s keep leaning on each other just a little bit longer until the light stays with us for good.

– Steve Tyer

It’s hard not to feel something special during the holidays. In fact, I think it’s these special times of year that help us get through any unpleasantness. That’s because whatever religious holiday we celebrate – Christmas, Hanukkah, or something else – what we all celebrate is family and togetherness.

I know firsthand how important it is to cherish our loved ones every moment possible. These past two years especially. It’s hard not to feel burnt out and, well, just done with COVID. We all are.

But we share another commonality no matter what we celebrate this time of year: the message of hope. The Christmas Star. The jar of oil. I think if you trace all the way back to pagan winter solstice celebrations, it’s about hope too – hope that the sun will start its way back from its lowest point in the sky so its warmth can bring the crops back again in the spring.

Of course, good health requires more than hope. It requires professionalism, dedication, and a solid plan. We at Copley feel better prepared than ever after experiencing what we went through the past couple of years. While we may have to make some tough decisions depending on how this particular wave goes, decisions are always made with one goal in mind: to protect the health of all our loved ones.

I’ve said it before, but it is so true: we are all in this together. That togetherness is a strong sustainer of hope.
So my holiday wish for you is this: that we can all take comfort in each other, enjoy each other, and lean on each other through the best of times and the difficult times. So let’s be at peace this holiday season and be encouraged with the hope of a better, brighter 2022.

To everyone in our Copley at Stoughton extended family, we wish you happy, healthy holidays!

Thanksgiving is a holiday we truly value here at Copley at Stoughton. That may not be surprising – for many families, it is a time to gather and appreciate all we give each other. I find that families at Copley tend to hug their loved ones just a little tighter for a little longer. Maybe it’s seeing the changes from living at home to moving to a long-term care facility that underlines how precious family can be.

Last year, we talked to residents to see what they were most thankful for, and I don’t think it was a coincidence to hear the word “family” from the vast majority. In a time when a pandemic so disrupted family connections, to finally be able to get back together is a joy beyond words. We were lucky to have technology to help keep those connections strong. Although words and even images are great – certainly better than nothing – there is no such thing as a digital hug.

Yes, this Thanksgiving will be extra-special. We may not be entirely through the pandemic yet, but we feel a whole lot closer to the end than we did a year ago. Although we can’t host our big celebration as in the past, our residents are once again enjoying the holiday activities and welcoming their family and friends for visits. Things may not be quite what they used to be, but we are getting there. And for that, I am grateful.

Now that we’re through the worst of the pandemic (knock on wood), the side effects continue in many ways we don’t typically think about. For example, we’ve all heard about postponing elective surgeries. But what I found most alarming are the statistics around disease screening, including cancer.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, so it’s the perfect time to talk about breast cancer screening. Breast cancer is becoming so common, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Early detection is critical. Screenings can discover cancer when it is most treatable and before it has a chance to spread to other parts of the body. In fact, breast cancer has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers when caught early – 99% of localized breast cancers can be cured.

So here we have a common disease that is easily cured when caught early through screening. Yet so many women – our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters – succumb to this terrible disease every year.

COVID certainly didn’t help matters. Breast cancer screening dropped dramatically during the pandemic. Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of breast imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, said that breast cancer screening there dropped by 90% in April 2020, the month after COVID hit. When screening drops by that much, the reality is there are many women with breast cancer who don’t even know it yet. The tragedy is that it would be much more treatable today than it will be tomorrow if they did.

Screening and early detection save lives. Book your mammogram now, so you have peace of mind. Give yourself the best chance for a long, healthy life.

Working in healthcare, it astounds me how many people have turned vaccination into a political argument. Really, it’s a health issue. But to some, the vaccine has become a symbol of individual rights, including the right to choose.

Vaccines are nothing new. Vaccines are the reason you don’t hear about children having polio or measles very much anymore, not to mention mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus. Another great example: most of us remember when everyone got chickenpox at some point in their childhood. Almost overnight, that went from every child in every household to nearly none. Almost no chickenpox, thanks to a vaccine. 

Vaccines should be seen for what they are: a medical treatment that saves lives.

For the record, I believe everyone does have a right to choose. But people who choose not to get the vaccine need to understand that their choice can negatively affect the health and well-being of others.  Vaccines are crucial in our fight against COVID. Those who do not believe in the vaccine point to the fact that some of the new cases are in the vaccinated, even though the vast majority are in the unvaccinated.  The vaccine works – and the small number of people who do get COVID after vaccination are either asymptomatic or have a very mild case – similar to a cold. The COVID cases that are overwhelming our hospitals are almost entirely unvaccinated patients. The science is clear: vaccination is helping protect everyone and especially those who are older and/or have underlying health problems.

As of October 10th, every Copley employee will need to be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption. Copley’s responsibility is to keep our residents, rehab patients, and staff as safe as possible. It’s a life-or-death responsibility I take seriously. The vaccine is one of our best tools yet to protect our facility, so it makes good healthcare sense to encourage full vaccination of our employees and all visitors.

I hope we can all come to see this vaccine as a symbol of community, not division. It’s simple. The more people who get the vaccine, the more protected we’ll all be.

So, for the sake of your loved ones and your whole community, please get vaccinated! Don’t let some misinformation on the internet sway you from what almost every medical professional will tell you: getting the vaccine is a choice that will literally help save lives. 

A Q+A with Copley Activities Director, Cheryl Woodward

As we emerge from COVID, activities are getting back to full swing. It’s the perfect opportunity to hear from our Activities Director, Cheryl Woodward. In this Q&A, Cheryl reveals the challenges that came with COVID, and what’s to come in the future.

2020 must have been challenging for you in terms of creating engaging activities for Copley residents while maintaining social distancing. What activities were you able to do with the residents?

First and foremost, I have to commend my Activity Assistants. As a team we worked together to bring activities to the residents in their rooms. We took some of the basic day-to-day programs such as coffee hour, trivia, bingo, Pokeno, etc. and adapted them so residents could participate in the safety of their own rooms.

We visited all residents each morning offering coffee, tea, hot chocolate, assorted baked goods etc. We ran trivia contests, distributing packets to the residents to complete, later collecting them and providing prizes. Bingo & Pokeno players were given their own bingo/Pokeno cards and chips to keep in their rooms and staff called out the numbers with a microphone as residents played from doorways. Painters remained engaged in painting, but in a one-on-one capacity.  They were able to complete a 60” by 140” mural for the lobby. We even entertained by singing karaoke; that is until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Health said indoor singing was not allowed.

We spent a lot of time just visiting with residents and assisting them with reading cards and letters, organizing their belongings, assisting with phone calls and just being a friend. We offered recreational supplies for independent use such as cards, music, puzzle books, books, magazines, adult coloring, specialty foods for religious holidays, etc. 

What were the biggest challenges to overcome?

I have faced many challenges over the years, but 2020 was definitely the most challenging year in the healthcare industry, actually in all industries. Who would ever think the world would go through a pandemic, especially in our lifetime? This was a very scary time. This was a time of great loss for many of us, our residents included.

People need socialization. They need a connection, something to live for. In the beginning, families were not able to come in to visit their loved ones. As much as we tried to keep spirits up and to be there for our residents, it still wasn’t the same as having your loved ones with you. As employees, we were able to go home every night. Our residents did not have that option. 

Were there any differences between programming activities for residents in the nursing home side versus those in the rehab side during the pandemic?

In the beginning we were not able to provide group activities. Residents spent time in their rooms. We went room to room with puzzles, word games, refreshments etc. We spent time visiting residents one on one and as time went on and restrictions slowly started to ease, we were able to begin activities with residents participating from their doorways. 

Now that we are able to gather for group activities, we have one activity calendar of events for the entire care center. All residents are welcome to participate in group activities. Some residents here for short-term care are receptive and enjoy coming to group activities, while others prefer to focus on therapy and return home. 

In general, how were everyone’s spirits? How are they now?

It has been a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs, sometimes spiraling out of control. Everything is fine and running smoothly and then COVID happens. Spirits were low. Family members weren’t able to come in to visit. We did window visits in the beginning, which brighten their day for a short period of time. As the weather got warmer, we were able to schedule outdoor visits. Eventually we were able to set up an area inside for family visits as the weather started to cool. Of course these visits remained supervised for social distance and to make sure all protocols were being followed. The best day during all this was the day I was able to tell family members and residents they could have a brief hug before leaving. I saw many tears of happiness as they embraced, something they hadn’t been able to do in months. Everybody needs a hug. 

Unfortunately, right before the holidays, we had to close our doors to visitors again. It’s painful to see families apart, especially for the holidays. As much as we tried to make their holidays enjoyable, it’s not the same. We did Zoom calls and FaceTime calls. Residents opened gifts as their families watched on the other end of the video call. We continued social distancing activities from resident doorways and did our best to keep spirits high. 

Now we have a full activity calendar again. Fully vaccinated family and friends are able to visit in resident rooms. We are gradually getting back to pre-pandemic routines. Residents who have been here prior to the pandemic are enjoying previously enjoyed programs. Some of our residents who arrived during the pandemic are just starting to discover new talents in our painting and writing classes and develop new friendships within groups. Resident spirits are uplifted with every visit they receive from their loved ones. 

Were there any surprises – any silver linings in terms of the pandemic and activities? (For example, a silver lining for some was learning to connect via Zoom and other technologies, something they wouldn’t have learned otherwise.)

Yes, in some ways this pandemic made us stronger. Balancing supervised visits, one-on-one visits and doorway activities improved organizational and time management skills. Thanks to our more tech savvy employees we learned how to use some of the modern technologies such as Zoom and FaceTime. Some residents learned how to use their own electronic devices.    

Are activities back to full swing now? What precautions do you still need to take?

Thanks to the vaccine and the decrease in COVID cases, we have been able to reintroduce group activities. Our groups started out small but are growing with consistent encouragement from staff. We have weekly entertainment scheduled in the courtyard. Religious services are being offered. Fully vaccinated family members are now able to come in to visit. It’s starting to look like old times, better times. 

Masks are still being worn by all staff in resident areas. Fully vaccinated residents wear their masks while traveling to and from activities, but are able to take their masks off during the program. 

How great is it to be outside now?

It’s great to be outdoors again, especially because that’s the only place we can have musical entertainment programs at this time. So, all entertainment programs are weather permitting. Residents also just enjoy sitting outdoors on nice days. 

Did you start any new activities during the pandemic that will continue into the future?

Yes, we started a creative writing program. The residents create short stories as a group. We have a few stories completed. Our goal is to create a book of short stories. We also started a daily chronicle with a quote of the day, a trivia fact for the day, three moments in history that occurred on that day, and a mini-biography about a famous person born on that day. 

What advice would you give to other activity directors? What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned?

As Activity Professionals, we rise to the occasion. It’s very easy to get caught up in the chaos. Step back, take a breath and do the best you can do. If you’re not sure, seek answers before you act. If you can go home at night and know in your heart you did your best, you’ve done well.  

Now that Copley at Stoughton is opening up, we are able to book live music events for our residents and their guests on our outdoor patio. Our Activities Director, Cheryl Woodward, is scheduling performances at least once a week. In my mind, this is not just another step but a significant milestone, as music provides much more than entertainment for our residents.

Studies show that music is like a super fruit for the brain at any age.
It can easily improve your mood, is uplifting, can get you moving, and for some, religious and patriotic music can be particularly inspirational.

But music is also social, especially at Copley. Our live music events encourage everyone to get together, reducing isolation and boosting social contact. Everyone greatly appreciates this after such a long time of reduced contact!

Music can also do a surprising number of other things, such as boost creativity, improve language skills, manage pain, and even help people recover from illness or injury faster.
The overall snowball effects of music, socialization, and physiological benefits are reduced stress, better sleep, better overall health, and a brighter outlook. In turn, that leads to a better quality of life – and for many a longer life, too.

It’s been said that music heals the wounds that medicine cannot touch. It is so uplifting to again see residents and their guests singing along with their favorite entertainers. I’m so glad this is back!