The staff at Arbor Terrace Ponte Vedra had an opportunity to make a resident’s dream come true Monday, thanks to the Arbor Company’s partnership with the nonprofit Second Wind Dreams.
The dream was a simple one. Betsy Flynn, a 79-year-old resident of the memory care facility, had a chance to do something she hadn’t been able to do for several years: Go for a swim. Accompanied by friends Lucy Garvey and Helen Jones, Flynn donned a swimsuit and enjoyed two hours of swimming peacefully in the oceanfront pool at The Plantation Beach Club, which donated use of its facilities in order to make Flynn’s dream come true.
According to Arbor Terrace Senior Engagement Director Mallorie Collyer, Second Wind Dreams partners with senior communities to help makes seniors’ wishes come true.
“They get to experience things they did when they were younger,” Collyer said. “Betsy used to teach water aerobics and one day when we were talking about dreams, she said, ‘I’d love to go swimming!’”
Making residents’ dreams come true is also helpful for staff seeking to engage with residents dealing with memory loss, Collyer said. “We can connect one-on-one with a resident (by fulfilling their dream).”
