PTA students engage older adults in activity, wellness

Published 02.21.2024

Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor

News
Physical Therapist Assistant
Nursing & Health Sciences
Community
Community Involvement
    Residents of The Williamsport Home keep the balloon afloat during a competitive game. Refereeing are Madison N. Racine (left), of Hamburg, and Marlee M. Swank, of Elysburg.

    Penn College physical therapist assistant students visited The Williamsport Home, where they provided two 30-minute, holiday-themed activity sessions for residents in the home’s independent living apartments. 

    Each year, students select a community organization or event they would like to work with as part of a yearlong service-learning project. This year, the Class of 2024 voted to provide exercise and wellness sessions to older adults in area long-term care facilities.

    At The Williamsport Home, students led interactive activities to encourage movement while having fun. The students hope to return to the home and potentially visit other facilities during this spring.

    Students (from left) Dylan Marshall, of Jersey Shore; Hannah E. Day, of Selinsgrove; Madison N. Racine, of Hamburg; Corrin N. Evans, of Morrisdale; Emily M. Butler, of Cogan Station; Marlee M. Swank, of Elysburg; and Jamie O. Krause of Lititz, introduce the day’s activities.
    Residents play a round of “plastic cup shuffleboard.”
    Marianna Dariychuk (right), of Leola; Kade J. Wooten (center), of Allenwood; and Hayley M. Okronglis, of Kulpmont, play “keep it up” with balloons and pool noodles.
    Kerri R. Kauffman, of Millmont, leads a timed “snowball scoop.”
    Who’s having more fun at “cotton ball scoop" – Corrin N. Evans, of Morrisdale, or this engaged resident?
    Jamie O. Krause of Lititz, guides a game of ball-passing musical chairs.
    Dylan Marshall, of Jersey Shore, oversees a race to stack plastic cups. The joy piles up and overflows!

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