Staff member Kira will often take Tom out to play tennis.
By Nicole Lemire
Out of all the BCArc residences in the Pioneer Valley, Jessica Warner, Assistant Director of Brain Injury Services, described Russell as being “one of the most active within the community” and “a lot of fun,” and it’s not hard to see why.
The staff at Russell make sure that the individuals in the home are always smiling and having a good time, taking part in activities such as game nights, bingo tournaments with nearby BCArc homes, playing tennis, baking, doing crafts, and much more.
“It’s almost hard to remember them all,” said Kira, a staff member at Russell, when asked about the activities that the house has taken part in. “Karaoke nights are always popular and everyone has a lot of fun. My favorite memory was the BCArc dance.”
Russell loves to host bingo nights and invite over individuals from nearby BCArc residences.
There is also an emphasis on allowing individuals to choose which activities interest them, such as Rosie, who loves getting her nails done and going shopping, or Tom, who enjoys tending to the garden in the backyard and going fishing.
The staff and individuals at Russell see one another as family, and this may be in part due to the presence of a real family unit in the home. Two individuals who live in the residence, Ernie and Rosie, are BCArc’s first married couple. The two have been married for 49 years, and came to BCArc together shortly after the pandemic hit.
Ernie and Rosie have been together for nearly 50 years.
Rosie and Ernie’s daughter, Ann, had nothing but praise for the level of care that her parents have been given at Russell, particularly since she lives in Utah and is unable to see them often.
“My parents being here is such a blessing,” Ann said. “I cannot speak highly enough of BCArc. The peer support and day programs have helped them so much.”
Ernie agreed with this, and shared the improvements that he has made in the time since being at BCArc, showing appreciation for the staff members who have helped him along the way.
“Because of my PTSD, it’s hard for me to leave the house, but the staff have been helping me,” said Ernie. “This is the best place that Rosie and I have been, and Maryellen is the best manager.”
