Big Meadows

Our therapies include Tellington T-Touch, M-Technique, Tai Chi, and the use of essential oils and aromatherapy.

The many benefits of these programs include reduced behaviors, improved mood and emotional well-being, alleviated pain from arthritis, headaches and muscle aches, reduced anxiety and agitation, and reduction of psychotropic drug use.

Big Meadows is the proud sponsor and site of a monthly Alzheimer's Support Group Meeting, held on the fourth Thursday of each month. All meetings are open to the public and are designed to offer education, resources, support and an opportunity for sharing. Please RSVP to Diane Giddings at 273-2238 if you would like to join us or for more information.

While both Tim and Frances enjoy discussing politics and have been involved in politics most of their lives, Frances' political history is particularly colorful.

Born December 31, 1914, Frances has enjoyed a life of involvement in politics. Just before voting for the first time, Frances remembers attending a political presentation by Herbert Hoover in Madison, Wisconsin. Frances also heard President Harry Truman speak during the time she was in Omaha. During his visit, she watched President Truman get out of his limousine and walk with his former WWI buddies in the parade. Frances said that no matter where President Truman was in the country, if his former WWI buddies were present, he would get out of his limousine and honor his WWI buddies by marching along side them, "grinning from ear to ear".

Born before women had the right to vote, Frances' mother was active in the women's suffrage movement in South Dakota. Frances' mother was a speaker for women's suffrage before she was married in 1900 and attended many conferences in the eastern states. Frances's father was an owner/editor of a small country newspaper and backed his wife's political issues with occasional articles in support of the women's movement and the right to vote. Although men and industry opposed women's suffrage, Frances's mother and countless other women continued the battle and won the right to vote in 1920. At the age of 22, Frances followed her mother's footsteps and voted for the first time. Frances joined the League of Women Voters in the early 1960's in Omaha, Nebraska and was editor of the League of Women Voters newsletter until she moved to the Savanna area from Omaha.

Frances continued to be active in politics throughout her life; by knocking on doors to a support a particular league issue or encouraging others to vote. Frances enjoyed her time discussing politics with her brothers and now her children and grandchildren. Frances says, "Politics run in the family."

"Lets shoot the works!" hollers out Earl Nesbitt as he is being flung across a ravine on the Super Zip, and shoot the works they did. Each May a group of brave elders, staff and family members from Big Meadows nursing home in Savanna, Illinois embark on a journey to Camp Courageous in Montecello, Iowa. The goal is to try new things, challenge each other and to just have some fun. This year's adventures included canoeing, a cookout over an open fire, the wall climb, and the always favorite, Super Zip.

Ten residents accepted the challenge this year -- including Harriet Smith who set a new camp record for the oldest camper ever to take part in Camp Courageous activities at 105 years. "The day is always great," Says Big Meadows administrator Glenn Blacklock, "these challenges really get people thinking about facing challenges head on. It helps develop courage to overcome fears, courage we all need regardless of age or physical ability." With the proper attitude and some simple modifications of equipment, the sky is the limit, literally.

Several of the camp events involve climbing walls or trees. With the use of safety harnesses, these elders reach new heights, and it gives them the opportunity to see the world from a whole new perspective. "You can do anything you set your mind to." says resident Meta Walbohm after her turn on the Super Zip, which was accented by a spirit lifting "WOO-HOO!"

By the end of the day faces are all smiles and everyone is filled with a sense of accomplishment. Stories of the adventures will be shared for months to come, and the positive energy generated will carry on much longer than that. Camp fees, about $200- resulting experience, PRICELESS!

Big Meadows residents recently took part in an innovative and experiential type of program referred to as a Drumming Circle. A Drumming Circle provides the opportunity for all to take part regardless of their musical talent or experience. Everyone can experience success. During a drumming circle all members have a drum or percussion type of instrument to play. Direction is given in how to play the specific instrument, however anyway is fine. All members of the drumming circle contribute to the music-making experience. The Recreational Therapy Staff facilitate the drumming circle by providing a beat as well as cues to play louder or softer, faster or slower, etc. Smiles are inevitable during a drumming circle when residents and staff passing by realize how energizing, relaxing and creative the rhythm is, with absolutely no musical note needed.

We plan on adding to our drumming collection and hope to find more cultural and authentic instruments. We also hope to make some shakers of our own.

The idea of a Drumming Circle was first encountered at the Illinois Healthcare Convention in which a room of health care providers from all over the state were invited to be the participants and experience, as well as learn, the benefits of drumming first hand. The rhythm and melody created by the teamwork of 100+ individuals was amazing. The therapeutic benefits of this activity may include, but are not limited to, stress relief, energizing, focus, re-learning how to play, creating balance between thinking and feeling, up-lifting, physical exercise, etc. Recent medical research studies suggest that drumming circles can boost the immune system and have calming effects.

Big Meadows continues to develop their monthly Alzheimer’s support group each month. We have introduced a variety of speakers to help families understand and increase their awareness of the special needs and care for the Alzheimer individual.

Our February support group meeting will sponsor Mary McNally from the Alzheimer’s Association. Mary will be here to share upcoming programs and answer questions or concerns families may have. Please use the support group to make suggestions for programs you would like us to sponsor or to request materials, such as books or movies, to review at home. We are also here to provide emotional support for families who are working to cope with the emotional stress of this disease.

Big Meadows continues to offer support for the Alzheimer’s Safe Return Program. Anyone wanting to have a Safe Return Bracelet ordered for their family member with Alzheimer’s, please contact Julie Johnson in Social Services and she will help you fill out the application. There is no charge for the bracelet. Anyone ordering a bracelet will be registered on the National Safe Return Register, which can be accessed anywhere in the United States. The bracelet and registry will help in safely returning the individual with Alzheimer’s to their family.

Please invite your friends and join us for the monthly Alzheimer’s Support Group at Big Meadows. We meet the fourth Thursday of every month at noon. Join us for our meeting and complimentary lunch.

In keeping with a growing trend in health care, Big Meadows maintains ongoing training of their staff in the art of complementary therapies. To date, we have staff trained in use of essential oil therapies, M-Technique massage, Tellington T-Touch and music therapy. We have redesigned the physical therapy room to incorporate the use of these therapies in a calming therapeutic atmosphere. Our goal is increase quality of life for our residents through use of therapies that complement their life style and current medical needs. The newest addition to our programming is the introduction of Tai Chi as part of the daily exercise program and training of staff in the healing concept of Reiki.

Tai chi is a sophisticated series of choreographed movements done in a relaxed and flowing way. Tai Chi is easy and fun to do and takes as little as ten minutes a day. The moves are conducive to self healing and beneficial for health. A recent study in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), May 3, 1995, Vol. 273, No 17, pp 131-1347, found that Tai Chi can help improve the balance of elderly and help reduce the risk of falls by 25% and their resulting injuries. Tai Chi offers significant cardiovascular benefits, with increase breathing capacity and relief of back and neck aches. In one research study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, it was found that those participating in a regular routine of Tai Chi reported less tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion, and state-anxiety. In total there was less mood disturbance. Talk with our recreational therapy staff for more information on this program.

Reiki is a traditional Asian practice that has been around for more than one thousand years. It is noninvasive and gentle, yet extremely powerful. Reiki can relive stress, fatigue, tension and accelerate physical healing. It can calm emotions and nerves, lessen and eliminate pain and induce relaxation. Reiki is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic techniques, but works well in conjunction with them. Reiki is becoming more recognized in progressive hospitals, Hospice agencies and other health care settings. The International Association of Reiki Professionals conducted a benchmark survey of the 25 top hospitals in the United states and found that 60% of the respondents have formal or informal Reiki programs in place and recommend that other hospitals get involved in this highly beneficial form of healing. The energy in Reiki can never be harmful and can only relax and heal the body.

Contact anyone of the following Big Meadows staff for more information: Cathi Pray, Sandi Harper, Julie Knutti, JoEllen McCaskey or Diane Giddings.

The First International Eden Alternative Conference was held this past November in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Big Meadows was a big part of the event. Administrator, Glenn Blacklock, was invited to speak at the conference to share the Big Meadows story. Big Meadows has followed the philosophy of the Eden Alternative for almost 8 years, and has been a leader as well as an educator in new approaches to providing long term care to elders. Blacklock, an Eden Mentor, has become an active member of the Eden movement, and has been invited to sit on committees and assist in formulating seminars and other training approaches.

"Glenn has always proven to be a leader in regard to continuing the Eden movement, and over the last few years he has become a leader among the leaders." states Dr. William Thomas, the founder of the Eden Alternative. "Big Meadows has done some amazing things, and their ongoing commitment to seeking out new and innovative ways of improving the quality of life for their elders is what prompted us to invite Glenn to our conference," adds conference organizer Karen Nichols.

The conference sold out and was attended by over 450 people from all over the world. People from across the US, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, Mexico and Australia gathered together to share ideas, solve problems and plan for the future of this very important industry. "The Australians were particularly interested in Glenn's presentation and the story of Big Meadows," reports Nichols, "They fully well intend on implementing ideas that were shared." The main conference lasted three days, with pre and post conference trainings that filled an entire week. "I am always proud to represent Big Meadows, but to do it side by side with people like Dr. Thomas is a real honor."

Big Meadows is known in Eden circles around the world as the "tree climbers" and as innovators in trying new ways to keep life interesting. The staff, elders, families and the entire community have worked together to make the Eden Alternative a success here at Big Meadows and I view this international attention as a big thank you to everyone for their efforts."