— BY JESSICA LANE

Staff Writer



Anyone would enjoy playing charades with Renny Cochran, but fortunately for the residents at Glenhaven Retirement Village, she's all theirs.

Cochran passes around an old cigar box with slips of paper inside. On each slip of paper is a task that the residents do or may have done such as: peeling potatoes, burping a baby, chopping wood, hammering a nail, flying a kite, hanging out clothes, washing hair, baiting a hook and mopping.

Everyone gets a chance to participate but no one is forced. Cochran gives the residents an option of either acting out the task themselves, or she will do it for them. She applauds the correct answers as she bounces around the room, acting out charades.

"No matter what their ability, you include everyone because everyone counts," she said.

Cochran said that charades is good for the residents cognitively, physically and mentally.

During "Reminiscing Time," played just before charades, Cochran talks to the residents about things that they used such as hair rollers and straight razors.

Cochran, Activities Director, and Angela Hayes, Social Services Director, work hard to make Glenhaven Retirement Village not just a place to live, but a home.

The residents have participated in Relay for Life, acted as judges for a Cinco de Mayo salsa contest in which the staff made salsa, celebrated Teacher's Day, Mother's Day, father's day and acknowledged mothers that have had to act as fathers and fathers that have had to act as mothers.

They had western day in which staff wore boots and jeans and on 50's rock n' roll day, poodle skirts and rolled up jeans. Some of the residents even got up to boogie along. Every Monday they have a movie and popcorn in the afternoon. Recently, a full lobby gathered to watch "Tangled." Every Christmas, they throw a big Christmas party and everyone's room gets visited by Santa Claus.

"We want to see them smile, that's the most important thing," Hayes said.

The residents are given choices. They do not have to participate in activities as long as they are not isolating themselves. However, Cochran said, some of them feel that they have worked hard all their lives and that now is their time to rest and just spend time with their friends in their room, and that is respected.

One-on-one time is provided for those that want to stay in their room. Staff will sing to them, paint their nails, read to them from the Bible, color with them or a variety of other activities that the residents request.

Each staff member "adopts" a few residents and makes an effort to do something special with them each week whether that is getting them a little treat or taking them outside.

Hayes and Cochran emphasize the importance of communicating with each resident, even if they seem uncommunicative. They said that sometimes residents that were thought to be uncommunicative have come around.

All activities are revised and approved by the Resident Council in advance. The residents themselves also have a lot of input in regards to the event calendar. They also decide who is employee of the month and who is resident of the month.

Rather than living on a rigid schedule, the residents of Glenhaven are allowed to decide when they wake up and when they go to bed. If they want to watch TV all night or go look at the stars, the staff tries to accommodate their wishes.

However, It's not all fun and games. The staff of Glenhaven makes safety a priority, Cochran said. On the day of the May 24 tornado, all residents, even bedridden residents, were transferred to the building's safety area in eight minutes without a single fall or injury. All staff members stayed there with the residents and played shadow games with flashlights.

"[We're] their entertainment," Hayes said, referring to the staff at Glenhaven. "The sillier you act, the more they love it."

The religious views of the Glenhaven community are all honored. Cochran said they make extra effort to ensure that those who want religious counsel not only receive it, but that it comes from the denomination of their choosing.

Cochran and Hayes said that they try to keep quality of life high. Glenhaven encourages families to visit and participate.

"We want to be as family-friendly as possible," Cochran said.

Both Hayes and Cochran give credit to the administration of Glenhaven. They said that Glenda Hamilton, Administrator, and Sherri McCoy, Assistant Administrator, are very involved and hands-on and that no one's job is seen as more important than anyone else's.

The Chickasha community has also been very helpful, the activities and social service directors said.

"We have some wonderful angels in this community," Cochran said, discussing the many donations that come to the retirement center via donations.

Cochran and Hayes say they were both influenced by their grandparents. Hayes said that her work is very fulfilling.

"I enjoy getting up and coming to work," she said.

After a game of charades, Cochran tells the group, "You're never too old to be young. How old are you?"

The group replies, "16!"