Ladder of Life Recreational Therapy

Ladder of Life Recreational Therapy The Ladder of Life Program provides recreational therapy for homebound older adults in the Greater Baltimore area.

No matter what stage we are in we can still make connections, learn from one another, and climb toward great heights! Frannie Schmerling Jakobi is a Recreational Therapist that has worked with the geriatriic population to provide them with a positive quality of life. Her qualifications include graduating Temple University with a Masters Degree in Recreational Therapy and over 5 years of working wi

th seniors either in their homes or in Long Term Care facilities assessing, providing, and implementing, recreational and leisure care.

11/05/2021

After visiting with Dr. Mo a couple weeks, learning his background, hearing about his interests, and gauging his abilities, I reconnected with a former co-worker who runs an InCrEdIbLe program:
COGNITIVE STIMULATION KITS

11/05/2021

At the end of the first visit with my new client, Dr. Mo, he stated, “It’s an interesting history. I haven’t talked about it much. Thank you for making me remember it. I sorta like talking about it”. :)

12/11/2019

“Yad LaKashish is a present from heaven. Being with friends, being productive, and being happy.” This is what Fenya said upon her return to Yad LaKashish after breaking her elbow earlier this year. At 94, she has been a valuable member of the Textiles Workshop for over 18 years.
Fenya was born in the Ukraine but she survived WWII in Russia. At just 16, she was forcibly relocated there to work in a munitions plant. For Fenya, coming daily to Yad LaKashish is a lifesaver. “Being idle at home is distressing,” she says.
Nearly 300 seniors depend on Yad LaKashish daily to live productive and meaningful lives, as well as to meet their basic needs. For Fenya and her friends, eating a hot and nutritious communal lunch promotes their physical and emotional well-being.

11/22/2019

A new survey of British seniors sheds light on this sad, but true effect of aging, noting that hundreds of thousands of people often go a week without speaking to a single person.

SMILES!! 🙂😀😊
12/14/2018

SMILES!! 🙂😀😊

More than 95 years between these 2 friends 💕
12/10/2018

More than 95 years between these 2 friends 💕

11/6/14Dear [Participant], Ever since I started visiting you on our Tuesdays with Senior Center at Home you have beco...
06/01/2018

11/6/14

Dear [Participant],

Ever since I started visiting you on our Tuesdays with Senior Center at Home you have become such a meaningful part of my life. I've looked forward to those mornings with you because I knew I'd learn something new and experience something wonderful every time. You've taught me so much over these past few years. We've covered so many topics including Cooking, Gardening, Wine, Music: Richard Tucker, Science: Richard Feynman, Painting, Reading, Traveling, Family/Relationships, History, and more.
You are a truly righteous man. And I look up to you greatly. The way you treat others with kindness is inspiring. You once told me that you always try to have something good to say. And you definitely have always greeted me with a smile.
After every visit, you'd walk me to the door, give me a peck on the cheek, say "Stay as nice and as beautiful as you are", and then watch as I'd pull out of the driveway, wave to you and head up the street. (All the while I'd be smiling from ear to ear). You, sir, are a true gentleman. Thank you.

—
[On most occasions I would write a Dear Loved One letter to my Participant’s family after he/she had passed. But (off work hours) I was able to visit this Participant while he was on hospice at a nursing home. I decided to write the letter to Him while he was weak but coherent so he could know the great impact he had on me.

After he read this letter I said Shalom and pecked his forehead. I knew it would be one of our last visits.]

11/19/14
Message from his daughter that he had passed—
“Peaceful and rather beautiful.
Thank you for efforts and trying to make life interesting. He looked forward to every visit.”

"Carol" and I share the same birthdate...just a mere 50 years apart 🙂 I visited her on our birthday and she so enjoyed w...
09/19/2017

"Carol" and I share the same birthdate...just a mere 50 years apart 🙂
I visited her on our birthday and she so enjoyed wearing my Birthday Crown! 🎉

Dear Loved One, As I'm sure you know your mother was very special to me. Though I only knew her after her eye sight d...
09/18/2017

Dear Loved One,
As I'm sure you know your mother was very special to me. Though I only knew her after her eye sight diminished we shared so many good times at her house.
She was tentative at first but I remember how much she smiled and had a good time while doing chair exercises, frying beignets, and asking about my travels (especially trips to visit my niece and nephews). Your mother was so thoughtful and kind, often insisting I take a fruit or something for the road.
She was always a wealth of knowledge for remedies, how-tos, and general advice from the Good Old Days.
Your mother spoke so fondly of the love of her life, Anthony, as well as for her children and grandchildren. I really felt like I got to know everybody through her words.
I am so honored that I got to know her through her pleasant stories, thoughtful actions, and gentle countenance.
I'm sorry I was late to her memorial service. I did get a chance to have a word with her cousin's wife a bit as she waited for her daughter to come around with the car. She shared what I already knew, that your mother will be missed and not forgotten.

Work in progress by a former participant who claimed she couldn't paint. 🙂🎨🌼With minor assistance, slight modifications ...
09/15/2017

Work in progress by a former participant who claimed she couldn't paint.
🙂🎨🌼
With minor assistance, slight modifications for arthritic hands, and a lot of encouragement, "Joyce" was proud of her accomplishment and was looking forward to our next visit to paint some more!!

What is Recreational Therapy (RT)? RT is an intervention that uses recreational activities to remediate limitations from...
09/14/2017

What is Recreational Therapy (RT)? RT is an intervention that uses recreational activities to remediate limitations from illness, disability, or life experience.
The goals when using RT for homebound older adults are to increase socialization, decrease symptoms of depression, increase motivation to participate in leisure activities, and increase awareness of leisure opportunities.
Assessments are conducted to determine the individual of each participant, measurable goals are outlined, specific activities based on participants' interests are chosen and utilized. Evaluations are conducted to insure that the goals are met.
(https://www.atra-online.com/what/FAQ)

[Photo: My late grandfather's garden.]


Dear Loved One, I just wanted to share a bit with you to show you how much your sweet and kind mother impacted my lif...
09/12/2017

Dear Loved One,
I just wanted to share a bit with you to show you how much your sweet and kind mother impacted my life as well as my role as a Recreational Therapist.
Seemingly little things brought so much expressive joy to your mother. I remember her passionately telling me about sometimes spotting the deer in your backyard or befriending a bunny rabbit in her own yard.
Of course she had the most green thumb of anyone I've known. I know how proud she was and how happy it made her to show off her little greenhouse in the basement. Whenever she seemed to be having a particularly strong day I encouraged her to bring me down and show me. Her plants also allowed her to pleasantly reminisce past experiences or people in her life. I felt so blessed to see her smile in those moments.
I'm sure you know how proud she was of you and your sister. She'd point to the photos hanging up in the living room and remind me where you both graduated from college. And of course she was mournful about the passing of your father but she also stated how you and your sister were there for her and tried to be supportive when she needed it.
I am sorry I had not met your father but I felt like I did get to know him a bit as she told me of their beginnings in Europe. Your mother also loved telling me the story of the end of the war and how she came to be in America.
It was so enjoyable for me to do visits with her because of her kind heartedness and willingness to trying new games and activities. I was so happy that she had become such a fan of playing the couple of card games I taught her. I was happy because of how happy it seemed to make her to play. And I was grateful to be her student as she taught me how to count in Ukranian as we played.
Lastly, I wanted to let you know that it was really nice to take a look at the collage that was put together for your mother's service. I have gotten to know her over the past few years but it was nice to see her portrayed as her younger self, as someone enjoying so many facets of life: family, friends, etc. I am incredibly grateful for having met her and knowing her. Your mother's smile and demeanor were truly like a vibrant sunshine. I will continue to remember her and to have you and your family in my thoughts.

Sincerely

Frannie

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12153843525

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