North Star Community - July 2008

Up, Up and Away: The Ride of a Lifetime. Last month, one of our resident community members was able to fulfill a lifelong dream. Kevin always wanted the opportunity to fly high into the sky in a hot air balloon. His dream was finally realized when he and a staff member went on a hot–air balloon ride at Chatfield State Park. Kevin was thrilled to have this once–in–a–lifetime experience.

Jim’s Drum Solo. Therapeutic drumming group is one of the new Galaxy program groups which are provided on a weekly basis at North Star. Other groups are social skills, guided imagery, music group, healthy living and daily community living group. The drumming group is as much fun for the staff as the resident community members who participate. Skills are blossoming and there is talk of a Christmas drum circle! Jim has a great sense of rhythm and can be counted on to keep the beat.

North Star Co–Hosts Annual National MS LTC Alliance Conference . North Star was honored to share hosting the National MS Long Term Care Alliance conference with sister facility Rowan and the Colorado MS Chapter. It was North Star’s third year to participate in the conference and an opportunity to catch up and meet new staff who share the mission of serving younger adults in long term care. Day two of the conference, attendees toured North Star to see what physical plant and program adaptations have been implemented to address the challenges of MS. Above, Resident Council President John greets conference participants.