Community Partner : Keswick Multi-Care Center Intern : Veena Thamilselvan Site Supervisor : Rosalyn Stewart
What is Keswick Multi-Care Center ? Keswick Multi-Care Center is a locally owned , not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of services dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults .
Hello , my name is Veena Thamilselvan and I was a summer intern at the Wise and Well Center at Keswick . Keswick is a unique facility due to its combination of components such as an established multi-care facility designated for long-term residents and a community center that functions to support both cognitive and physical coherence . At the long-term care facility , residents are given the opportunity to engage in physical therapy services and be a part of recreational activities on their floor . At Wise and Well , older adults in the community can pay a small membership fee per year to take part in Wise and Well programming like in the arts or exercise . Some eligible seniors can also get support from the resident HUBS ( Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors ) program manager to help them access resources to age in place .
As an intern at Keswick , this placement was an incredible opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical aspect of elder care in addition to the aspect of community development . For instance , I would spend some mornings sitting in on administrative or clinical meetings , followed by morning wound care rounds and nursing rounds . During the afternoon , I would help with resident activities such as bingo and coloring followed by supporting the social work office via assessment and documentation assistance . At Wise and Well , the other interns and I helped run community-facing programming like “ Brain Blast ” challenges and line dancing classes designed to engage holistic fitness . We also introduced nutrition-focused programming to a Keswick partner site , J Van Story Branch -- a set of subsidized apartments for older adults and young adults with disabilities . Of all my experiences at Keswick , this one in particular engaged the values and insight of CIIP orientation , especially involving stakeholdership and programming that is valuable to the residential community .
Overall , Keswick is a relationship-driven organization . Many of the staff , although very busy , are generous with their time and are willing to explain their work and provide further direction . This has been such a rich learning experience for me !
Supported resident activities and conducted recreational interventions Assisted social workers with mental and cognitive assessments Created nutrition-based programming for a partner site Supported member programming at community center Shadowed nurses and clinical staff
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