Woodbury Senior Living

Photo: Emily J. Davis

The active ladies of Woodbury Senior Living dress up for a fun day of activities.

As I enter Woodbury Villa on the campus of Woodbury Senior Living, I glance at the activity calendar: ecumenical and Catholic services, exercise class, balloon ball, blood pressure check, , happy hour, LCR dice game and cribbage club. Activities for the week? No, these take place within just one day at Woodbury Senior Living.

“People drive by and probably think we’re poor old folks who sit around thinking about the past; they need to come in and see that we’re not just sitting in our apartments. We have fun!” says Inez Oehlke, a six-year resident, with a twinkle in her eye.

Woodbury Villa (senior apartments with services) and Woodbury Estates (assisted living and memory care) joined Woodbury Health Care Center, the skilled nursing facility that opened in 1979, in 1985 and 1998 respectively. Much has changed at Woodbury Senior Living, located at the corner of Lake Road and Woodlane Dr., since the early days of the continuing care campus, when the most popular activities were known as the three Bs: bingo, bowling and Bible study.

“Most group activities were large and designed for anyone to attend,” says Kathy Dunleavy, campus Director of Recreation Therapy. “The emphasis now is placed on a variety of areas, with activities offered in the domains of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual, creative and psycho-social expression. These activities can all be adapted to meet the needs of the very independent resident to the highly impaired (Alzheimer’s, dementia) resident.”

In the past, activities were just put on a calendar and residents were encouraged to come. Today, resident-centered activity programs are developed and defined by individual resident needs and interests. “Programs are offered in small groups, large groups, individual interventions and community involvement,” says Dunleavy. “For example, we offer specialized music therapy for a small group with various cognitive and/or physical limitations, including hospice care. This differs significantly from our Google group, which is designed for residents wishing to explore the technology of our current world.”

Helen Fiebing, an eight-year resident of Woodbury Villa, enjoys a number of activities, including inspirational readings with the chaplain on Monday afternoons, bingo and the villa band which started with a country western theme event and since became part of the programs offered at Woodbury Senior Living. “Inez and I serve as ambassadors, reaching out to residents, especially new ones who may be shy, and inviting them to try an activity and get a taste of it,” says Fiebing. “We’re small enough here that it feels like a family. The activities bring people together and connections are made.”

Oehlke especially enjoys the themed programs, such as English afternoon tea, pioneer days, all about France and holiday traditions around the world. “They’re so relaxing and I learn a few things and then go back to my apartment with a smile on my face,” says Oehlke. “It gets us out and keeps us from being lonely or depressed. We get to laugh, visit, and hear our own voices!”

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe that I have my old age,” says Oehlke, who recently turned 90. “I remember my grandparents—they just sat and rocked on the porch in the summer, and rocked inside in the winter. Not me; I’m so busy!”

Volunteering at Woodbury Senior Living

Woodbury Senior Living is always looking for groups and individuals to volunteer in various capacities. Assignments are matched according to the volunteers’ skills and interests. One current program is Generation Jam, where individuals or musical groups perform for residents. For more information, visit Generation Jam on Facebook or contact Mary Bjerke, 651.287.6564 or mbjerke@woodburyseniorliving.com.

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