Regency Retirement Village of Morristown’s activity program encourages participation in a variety of community-based or planned outings that keep residents active and healthy.
Activities Director Valerie Farmer said she looks for a variety of things to do. “I try to think of varied types of programs so there is something for everyone,” she said.
Residents see a movie every Saturday, join in Bible study on Friday mornings and devotionals on Wednesdays. Farmer said it is easy meeting the faith needs of residents because of the on-site church, a dedicated pastor and musician.
“We go out every Friday because I have several residents who enjoy going out to eat. We go as far as Knoxville and the Tri-Cities area since we are smack dab in the middle of those. It’s about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes in either direction,” she said. You’ll find Morristown residents enjoying the poppy seed rolls at Fatz in Greeneville, eating at J.T. Hannah’s in Pigeon Forge or Longhorn Steakhouse in Morristown, checking out the bargains at Ollie’s, touring the Bush Brothers Visitor Center/Café, taking in a Tennessee Smokies ballgame, or enjoying the hot air balloon festival.
“We try to look at all of the varied aspects of life. It’s not just keeping them occupied and having things to do. There are a lot of things they can no longer do like they used to. We look at the things they CAN do and find ways to give them enrichment. At the end of the day, it’s a phenomenal feeling to watch somebody do something that they didn’t think they could do.”
Farmer shared a story about a resident who recently decided to take part in a crafts class at Regency. “She said that she’d been here for two years and had never done it before but she wanted to check it out. She was so tickled to make her necklace and her bracelet. She didn’t think she could make something like that.”
Such moments give Farmer and other staff a warm feeling. “I’ve worked here for a total of almost 13 years. I’ve worked in activities for about 3 of those years, and I know that providing things to do increases a person’s quality of life and extends it by years. From my perspective as the activities director, I see their faces light up when they hear music they enjoy. To know that their emotional, physical and spiritual needs are being satisfied makes this a very rewarding job.”
If you come to visit someone at Regency Retirement Village of Morristown, you may see a magician, a local group of gospel singers or a pipe organist. “We have different performers come in to entertain residents. If you can think of it, we’ve probably done it. My residents really really enjoy these very talented entertainers,” Farmer said. You’ll probably also find residents playing board games, which are a great way of passing time with others while keeping the mind sharp. There’s a walking club on Thursday mornings
Group outings are a real treat as residents go to the store, the movies, catch a play at a local theater or even go for a train ride. Such trips provide opportunities for social interaction that improve quality of life. It’s all part of Regency’s continuing effort to help residents stay active and build their self-esteem with a variety of fun activities.