At. Mt. Ascutney Hospital, the Second Wind Dreams program arranges special, personally meaningful events for nursing home residents. A former boxing champ made a trip to see a boxing match. A Red Sox fan traveled to Fenway Park. The founder of the American Precision Museum in Windsor returned for a visit and special tour. One woman held a hat party.
Second Wind Dreams, a national non-profit organization, has the goal of bringing seniors to the forefront of our society to make them feel what they are - special. It began with the work and passion of P. K. Beville, Ph.D., who co-wrote Second Wind, a heartwarming look at the wonderful stories and people within nursing homes. Over the last five years, the program has become involved in over 400 facilities in 38 states, Canada and India, changing society's perception of aging, one dream at a time.
The dreams are vast and varied, but nationally, they mainly fall into five categories:
Relationship Based Dreams: So that the resident can reunite with friends and family members that they may not have seen in many years. One resident had not seen his brother in over 40 years! Approximately 12% of the dreams are this kind.
Life Long Dreams: Learning to play the piano, swimming with the dolphins or going to Graceland are just a few of these powerful dreams. Approximately 6% of dreams fall into this category.
Dreams to Relive Past Experiences: A simple trip to a favorite restaurant, paint supplies so that a resident can go back to creating paintings make the difference, feeling needed when they can relive their jobs. These are 14% of the dreams.
Dreams for Fun: An unbelievable 46% of the dreams fulfilled are just for fun. Our residents want to go to the Price Is Right, ride a go-cart and ride all the roller coasters at an amusement park.
Need Based Dreams: Imagine needing something as simple as a cup holder for your wheelchair or a dress so that you can attend church again and no matter what you do you will never be able to get it. This is a humbling 22% of the dreams.
Of Those Living in Eldercare Communities
Second Wind Dreams focuses on those living in eldercare communities. These are our seniors who most need our assistance. Family support may be non-existent, money can be at a premium, especially for our Medicaid supported seniors, and these senior adults are often our frailest - the ones who need a dream fulfilled.
Enhancing their Quality of Life
The lack of dreams and goals can have physical and mental consequences. By fulfilling dreams we improve the quality of the resident's lives by stimulating residents both physically and mentally while giving them the special attention they deserve.
And Improving the Perception of Aging
These older adults and their dreams shine much brighter than anything we will do. As each dream unfolds, the local community sees the wonder of older adults and understands that each stage of life is unique and bountiful. Often their new perception leads to long-lasting partnerships with facilities and special relationships with residents. Long after the dream has been fulfilled, the effects linger giving all involved a second wind.
What We Cannot Do
We are unable to fulfill Caregiving and Healthcare Issue requests (dentures, braces, walk again, etc). We also have limits and high standards for safety of the dreams program. Therefore HIGH risk dreams such as Skydiving, White Water Rafting, etc. will not be provided. We will do a simulation of those experiences in order for the dream to come true. We cannot provide dreams for those who are not living in an eldercare community. Referrals to other organizations can be provided.
For more information on Second Wind Dreams at the Mt. Ascutney Hospital Nursing Home, contact Cathy Kennedy at (802) 674-7115.
Nationally, write to Second Wind Dreams,1031 Cambridge Square, Ste. G, Alpharetta, GA 30004, call (678) 624-0500, e-mail swdream@secondwind.org, or visit: www.secondwind.org