Eagle Scout project benefits Hillcrest Nursing Home residents

Eagle Scout candidate Michael Sides, the son of Terry and Jana Sides, holds an assortment of locks and miniature doors he attached to a sturdy piece of wood while Hillcrest Nursing Home activities director, Tamra Neel, plays with a colorful plastic loop designed to increase mobility and color perception for residents at Hillcrest Nursing Home.
(Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

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A project in the summer garden at Hillcrest Nursing Home helped tip the scales in favor of collecting a variety of sensory stimulation products the nursing home can use on a daily basis to the benefit of each resident.

On Tuesday, Michael dropped off the final component, a wooden board containing a variety of locks and latches to be opened and closed, increasing dexterity and problem-solving skills for residents.

The board is just one of more than a dozen tools designed for sensory stimulation.

Michael researched online, in magazines, questioned physical therapists and spent some time at Hillcrest, where Tamra Neel, activity director, presented her "wish list." He then went door-to-door to area businesses, soliciting funds and support for his project, raising $362 in cash, along with gift cards and in-kind contributions. With those funds, he purchased several items, fashioned the lock board and, using a craft his mom Jana used to make, made four "I Spy" hand-sized pillows. The pillows, made from a variety of fabrics for texture and color, contain several hidden items, itemized on a laminated card.

"It was easy to figure out what would work for most of the senses, but I was stumped on the sense of smell," Michael admitted. Then he remembered the homemade suckers his grandparents, Perry and Ann Gygi of Sandy, Utah, make. "The flavoring for the suckers have super strong odors," he said. His grandparents sent a variety of flavors, now to be used as scents, and Michael fashioned a wooden cabinet, with painted drawers. With just a drop of flavoring, a cotton ball can be hidden in the miniature cabinet and residents can participate in a memory game, guided by scent.

"When I saw everything spread out on the table, I nearly cried," said Neel. "This makes our old sensory unit look like something out of the dark ages."

Neel's response is not uncommon. Hillcrest board members and Peg Rogers, the administrator were also very impressed with Michael's efforts.

"Everyone who sees this has another idea on how they can be used," Neel said.

In fact, Neel can see the benefit potential in each of the items, for many of the residents, as most of them have multiple sensory components.

"Our Alzheimer's patients really struggle as the day winds down," Neel said, explaining the term "Sundowners."

"After spending most of their lives busy with dinner, homework and bedtime, they can become frustrated, knowing that they're supposed to be doing something, but not knowing what that something may be." The sensory stimulation tools can hopefully be used to lure them away from that feeling of frustration, giving them something else to concentrate on, at least momentarily.

Neel also shared her past frustration in reaching residents who are so withdrawn they don't even open their eyes when someone speaks to them.

"When I can reach someone like that, it's reason to celebrate," said Neel. She is hopeful that the scent therapy and the tactile therapy of the soft "I-Spy" pillows will increase those victories.

Michael discovered that not only did his Eagles Scout project require organization and leadership, he also learned more of what some of the unique needs of the elderly are. "It was an eye-opening experience for me," he admitted, as he deflected praise for his accomplishment. "When I saw what they had available before, I was committed to this project."

Michael will do a follow-up booklet on the project and submit everything to the Eagle Scout Board for review. If his project passes the rigorous standards, he will receive his Eagle Scout badge during a Court of Honor.