St. Barnabas Awarded Program Grant
Chattanooga, TN (November 18, 2010) - St. Barnabas recently received a $1,950 grant from the Outreach Committee of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to enhance its Expressive Therapies program.
"Our expressive therapies program serves to help residents create meaning through life review," said President and CEO David Wildgen. "These programs enhance resident quality of life and as such play a part in the healing ministry of St. Barnabas."
The St. Barnabas Expressive Therapies program includes art, music, and movement therapy, and is unique to the industry in the Chattanooga area. St. Barnabas is one of the few, if not the only, facility nationwide to offer all three therapies in one comprehensive program.
Art and music therapies utilize creative processes to stimulate memory, satisfy emotional needs, facilitate nonverbal communication, and provide social connection. Quite often, residents who are unresponsive at other activities will participate in art or music therapy programs.
Movement therapy provides physical and emotional benefits and offers older adults another opportunity for self-expression.
"The main point of expressive therapies is to better residents’ lives," said Activities Director Carrie Ezell, ATR. "This grant will help us to achieve that goal and ensure these programs will flourish."
The funds are disbursed through St. Paul’s Outreach Committee, a social ministries grant program.
St. Barnabas offers a comprehensive rehabilitation program to short-term patients, as well as skilled nursing, assisted living, independent retirement, and home and community-based services on two downtown campuses. St. Barnabas is Chattanooga’s only independent, non-profit continuing care retirement community.
For more information, visit www.st-barnabas.com.
11/18/2010