Community Corner
National Volunteer Month Comes to Life at Maplewood Cuyahoga Falls
Poetry and PoochaPalooza Month For Residents at Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls
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The poetry group at Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls—the vibrant senior living community that offers an independent lifestyle and a personalized assisted living and Memory Care experience—has been such a hit that what was previously a beloved weekly Thursday afternoon class is now expanding to evenings, too. This is all thanks to incredible volunteers like Monica Kaiser, who started the class in January after spending time in the community during a family member’s stay.
“After her family member’s stay was over, Monica approached us about coming back to volunteer and run a poetry group for the residents, since she really felt like she got to know many of them,” says Adena McGowan, Memory Care Director of Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls. “For our memory care residents, the power of poetry is especially evident as it stimulates positive brain activity, promotes creativity, and gives them confidence to remember other things.”
Monica has been running the beloved group, called Poetry in the Pub, where she brings poems to read together with the residents. In addition to reading the poems, the residents discuss what the poems mean to them and also work together on writing a community poem. They’ve just completed one poem together titled Rain on the Geese’s Wings (included below) and are currently working on their second. Monica cherishes her time with the residents, emphasizing, “I treasure my volunteer work. My time with the residents flows with a pure and unique, symbiotic energy. This energy transcends physical limitations and provides a space for intellectual stimulation, creativity, random acts of kindness, and care.”
According to Marc M, a resident at Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls, the class gives him and other residents an opportunity to have a “healthy debate.” Another resident who typically doesn’t connect with poetry said, “Even though I don’t normally like poetry, Monica always finds ways to make it touch me, or to make me feel something.”
Another volunteer, Pam Chervank Cyphers, brings her therapy dog, a yellow lab named Zlaty for regular, much-anticipated weekly visits to their Tides and Currents communities. “Pam and Zlaty have been visiting us for 7 years. Zlaty has also visited us one year on Thanksgiving and one year on Christmas Day,” continues Adena. They are truly part of our Maplewood Family.”
In honor of Volunteer Month, Maplewood will honor Monica, along with other volunteers, on April 30th for a Volunteer dinner. They will receive a certificate and an award plaque. Of course, Zlaty will also be there to receive his present, a special gift basket.
About Maplewood Senior Living
Maplewood Senior Living is known for its upscale senior living residences, offering a broad range of premier services, amenities, and care to its residents. Based in Westport, CT, Maplewood Senior Living has 16 senior living communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. There are New York City and Washington D.C. locations within the company’s newest brand, Inspīr. This new senior living offering was launched to provide a luxurious option for seniors looking to join a residential community in major metropolitan areas. 203-557-4777 or http://www.maplewoodseniorliving.com.
Rain on the Geese’s Wings, A Poem by Maplewood Residents:
Rain on the Geese’s Wings
-Inspired by Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It’s a quiet sound,
rain on the geese’s wings,
winds that blow gently through the trees.
The leaves are moving like:
“Shhh.”
Cackling, crackling.
Bring back a sound
that brings back the beauty.
The flame, the fire, the warmth.
My chief, my chief,
my friend, my uncle.
Be yourself! Relax
and enjoy your surroundings.
The wind is blowing gently.
It’s a quiet sound:
The warmth on the geese’s wings.
Watch out for the inevitable!
The rain. The fire. The flame.
Imagination is climbing.
Put up the ladder!
And listen. Listen to the wind on the geese’s wings,
to the rains on the trees and leaves.
“Shhh.”
It’s a quiet sound,
rain on the geese’s wings.
A soothing sound.
A sound heard,
all over our world.
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