Art Therapy

The Art therapy program was initiated in October 2007 through private grants and the support of the BC School of Art Therapy. The Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation provided monies for the Art Therapist to continue for two days a week for one year. The program includes an assessment of what an individual can do and whether he or she can benefit from one to one, or small group work. Residents produce a variety of pieces of art work, which they proudly display for family and friends. Art Therapy provides unique opportunities for the residents, particularly those who are non verbal, to express their ideas and feelings, and be engaged in a meaningful and creative activity.

Art therapy sessions are held in a make shift `studio' which the Art Therapist creates in the Activity Room, or on the units to which she takes her Art Cart. The Art Cart, used as a traveling studio, is an old medications cart, is full of paint, brushes, pencils, papers and art paraphernalia. The art therapist uses demonstrations and adaptations to the equipment to encourage residents to attempt the basic brush strokes that will eventually result in a colourful and often surprising piece of art work. As the residents^' confidence and ability improves over time, they explore different gestures, strokes and patterns, and take pleasure in what they have created.

With the limitations in funding, the program is limited to approximately 15% of the residents in the facility. Increased funding would facilitate the expansion to other residents.

Music therapy  

The Music Therapy program has been in place since September 2001 and potentially provides service to 121 frail seniors with dementia and other physical and psychosocial disorders. The program includes an assessment of each resident's ability to participate in various forms of musical experiences. The assessment also determines what type of intervention is most appropriate and whether the resident requires one to one attention or can participate in a group offering. The music therapy assessments and programs are conducted by a Music Therapist, as recommended by the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The Music Therapy program is offered throughout the facility for has been for 10 hours a week, spread over two days. As of June 2009, the Victoria Conservatory of Music has provided a matching grant to enable the Pavilion to offer an additional 4 hours of Music Therapy a week, for the next year and a half.

Musical instruments such as drums and tambourines are introduced to those residents unable to use their voices, as a way for them to participate in the music therapy. A recent addition to the music therapy program has been the development of the Blue Bells, a group of residents now performing with the Hand Bell set donated to the Pavilion by the Foundation. This group of residents has been able to master a considerable number of musical pieces and has put on concerts for family and friends.   When used as a tool by a trained therapist, music is an important component of holistic care, particularly valuable to seniors who have cognitive impairments. Music gives a voice to silent emotions, creates a social bridge to create and enhance relationships, and provides opportunities for reminiscence. Music therapy is for every resident who loves music, whether he or she enjoys singing along, keeping time on a drum or shaker, toe-tapping, or just listening quietly as the memories and feelings flow.

Gardens

The therapeutic gardens are the gift of the OBKP Foundation to the residents, families and friends of the Kiwanis Pavilion. Therapeutic gardens, help people remain connected with nature and the out door world. Research indicates that physical as well as visual access can be beneficial to physical, social, psychological and spiritual health of a person. A therapeutic garden can provide exercise through normal activities such as weeding, watering, walking and bending. The donation of the Whisper Glide Swing (link to picture or?) in the gardens has added an enjoyable and much utilized source of pleasure for residents and families. Being in the garden helps a person remain connected to the world around them. It is important that the outdoor area must be safe and secure with lattice for walls and special gates, paths that circle round to the entrance and places to sit and rest.