Introducing Our First Guest Writer…Terri Glimcher

November 13, 2008 By 13 Comments

The more time you spend speaking to families, caregivers and staff members at different communities, the more you realize how much a single individual can contribute to your loved one’s happiness.

When I cross paths with these unique people, it only makes sense to bring them to Inside Assisted Living and let them share their secrets.

I’d like to introduce our first guest writer.

Drum roll, please…

Welcome, Terri Glimcher!

Terri is the Activity Director for Summerville at Oak Park Assisted Living, an Emeritus Senior Living property in Clermont, Florida.  For those of you not familiar with Emeritus Senior Living, they are the second largest assisted living provider with over 28,000 residents.

I asked Terri if she could write a few articles for Inside Assisted Living, because I found her work to be far ahead of anything I have seen. Her work in “life enrichment” is regarded as among the best in the country, and she has been tapped to train other assisted living communities on her techniques.  Terri’s work has even been recognized by the Orlando Sentinel, something you don’t see too often in the world of elder care.

I asked Terri to share a unique program for her introduction and she wrote:

I started the “Bridging the Generations” program in our area. We are paired up with all the merchants and every local high school in town on an ongoing basis. The children come to the facility and we go to the schools to work on projects together, cook with the kids and work together to make change.

The children learn first-hand about the way things were in the 1900s and the seniors learn how life is now with the use of modern technology. They have great respect for each other. My program has been recognized many times by the Orlando Sentinel for outstanding programming for seniors.

I want to personally thank Terri for generously accepting the offer to share her knowledge with us.

Let’s give Terri a warm welcome by leaving a comment for her at the bottom of this post.

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  • Kim Stacey

    Terri!
    Kudos – what a great idea; truly inspired thinking. I’d love to see similar programs, all around the country.

    Thank you for all you’re doing to enrich lives.

    Love, and deep appreciation,

    Kim

  • John

    Terri,
    The passion you show for your job and your seniors is remarkable. I would definately consider activities such as yours before I selected an assisted living facility for my loved ones. It appears that most facilities don’t see activities as importnat for their residents. I think it is extremely important.
    Keep up the good work!

    John

  • Julia

    Terri- Just the little bit I read is a sharp contrast to what I’ve seen with my loved ones and their community. Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward to reading more! – Julia

  • Rose

    My Mom is one of the lucky recipents of Terri’s activities and caring. I know personally what an asset she is to Summerville. All the residents benefit greatly from all the different things she does to keep them alert, and busy. She is truly exceptional and anyone she shares her knowledge with will be truly blessed.
    Rose

  • http://www.insideassistedliving.com Ryan Malone

    @ John – Thanks for the comment. I’ll see if Terri has any comments about how you, as a family member, can change the focus of the activities planned for your loved one’s community.

    @ Julia – Glad to hear it!

    @ Rose – Fantastic! You got to see her work in action. Glad to have you following the blog.

  • Lindsay Davis

    Words cannot express my opinion on Terri and her work at Oak Park. She is wonderful at what she does and puts her heart and soul into the activities and events planned for the residents. She keeps their minds going and their hopes up. One thing is for sure there is never a dull moment at Oak Park. I would recommend sending any loved one to their facility without a doubt. This is a place where you want your loved ones to be. Terri’s passion for her postion at Oak Park is remarkable, she is a true asset to the Oak Park team.

  • http://www.joppel.com John H.

    Terri – Welcome to the site and I look forward to hearing more from you. Your perspective is going to be very valuable. I didn’t realize there were communities like what you have been able to build. Gives me hope that others will soon follow. Thanks!

  • Larry G

    Terri
    Thank you for all the work and time you devoted to pull Mom, Domenica Gladieux, out of the shell the stroke put her in. The quality of her life at Summerville’s ALF was greatly enhanced by your efforts.
    I’m not sure if your “people skills” were natural or learned but whichever, you’re certainly on top of your calling

  • Lou

    Terri,
    I first became aware of you and your good deeds here on Inside Assisted Living. I was intrigued with your views and did some further research; I am impressed with your creativity and perseverance. I wish you continued success and look forward to more of your writings. Thank you for being the advocate that you are.

  • http://www.insideassistedliving.com Ryan Malone

    @ Larry – Glad to to hear your mom did well. My mom also ha a stroke (the reason I am so dedicated to this stuff) and she had made what I believe to be a miraculous recovery.

  • Sue Susskind, Certified Senior Advisor

    Kudos to Terri! I was lucky enough to visit the faciity where Terri is Activity Director. The minute she walks in the door, the faces of the residents light up. I spent hours talking to them, and all call Terri part of their family, not staff. I truly believe she has given these residents a gift, the gift of feeling alive, not just existing.

  • Teresa Jacobelli

    Terri,
    As a former secondary teacher, I can only wish that my school had been in your geographical area. What a great way to engender respect, engage intellect, and realise that we are all a part of living history. I look forward to your future articles, and I will definitely pass this one on to some of my old teaching compatriots!

  • Terri Glimcher

    @Theresa:
    Thank you for the feedback. It is great to hear from the education side of this. I think its very important for children to step back in time. To not be afraid of growing old but to appreciate the lessons we’ve learned and the way that has been paved for us by those who have lived before us. It is our responsibility to teach children about history, and to appreciate and respect the elderly. I will continue to do my part to bring the generations together. Terri