Residents of Carriage House at Lee's Farm in Wayland are participating in a new equine therapy program through a partnership with BINA Farm in Sudbury aimed at fostering connection, confidence and socialization.The Northbridge-based senior living community, which offers independent living, assisted living and memory care services, recently launched the program with its first visit to the farm, according to a community announcement. During the inaugural session, residents spent time petting, grooming and feeding horses. Future visits w...
Residents of Carriage House at Lee's Farm in Wayland are participating in a new equine therapy program through a partnership with BINA Farm in Sudbury aimed at fostering connection, confidence and socialization.
The Northbridge-based senior living community, which offers independent living, assisted living and memory care services, recently launched the program with its first visit to the farm, according to a community announcement. During the inaugural session, residents spent time petting, grooming and feeding horses. Future visits will include opportunities for horseback riding.
The weekly program also invites family members to join residents. Participants can enjoy refreshments and social time following each session.
"Our trip to BINA Farm gave my mom the chance to connect with animals, the staff and experience joy and accomplishment with some of her friends from Carriage House," said Gevry Fontaine, whose mother, Carol, is a Carriage House resident, in a statement. "It was an extra bonus that I could be there with her to pet, brush, feed and walk the gentle giants."
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Interactions with horses and the farm environment can help older adults, including those living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, reduce stress, encourage engagement and create opportunities for conversation and social interaction, according to the announcement.
Creating meaningful experiences for those with dementia
Rachel Cotton, program director at Carriage House, said the partnership supports the community's efforts to create meaningful experiences for residents with dementia.
"What excites me most about our collaboration with BINA Farm is the opportunity to bring the therapeutic benefits of equine interactions to our residents with dementia, fostering joy, connection, confidence, and meaningful moments through engagement with these remarkable animals," she said in a statement.
Carriage House at Lee's Farm is located at 134 Boston Post Road in Wayland. For more information, contact Libby Mattei at 508-358-2800 or [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: