This unprecedented time has created many trials for residential communities providing supportive recreational services for their residents, but those challenges are being met and then some at Peter Sanborn Reading. The Reading, Massachusetts, community for persons with disabilities under the age of 62, owned by The Peabody Companies (www.peabodyproperties.com), a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms, has introduced several remote/virtual programs designed to keep residents engaged, entertained and socialized during the pandemic.
According to Resident Service Coordinator Marcy Brown, the “connection and support” programs are offered to Peter Sanborn Reading residents via either the ZOOM platform or by telephone.
A variety of activities are offered on Tuesdays including a twice monthly “Music Hour” with a local pianist who sends Brown advance lyrics so residents can sing along.
A 30-minute “Breathing and Meditation” session offers chair stretching and breathing exercises facilitated by an outside vendor.
Brown herself take the lead on Tuesday Bingo sessions, serving as caller. Anywhere from 10-16 residents typically participate in the one-hour session, with winners receiving a $5 gift card (in the mail) to Dunkin, Cumberland Farms or Dollar Tree.
A “Coffee Hour” is held each Wednesday morning, attended by as many as 14 residents. Brown, other members of the Peter Sanborn Reading management team and two Northeastern University students working under a grant oversee the sessions. Weekly topics are discussed and a “special guest” makes an occasional appearance to keep the conversation lively.
On Thursday afternoons a Regional Wellness RN Program is offered from 1-3 p.m. during which residents can call and ask health and community-related questions.
Brown is also scheduling 1:1 meetings with Peter Sanborn Reading residents to assist with using ZOOM and is presently working on a Trivia Program that she hopes to roll out in the near future.
“We have some great relationships with people who are helping us provide connections and support to residents who call Peter Sanborn Reading home,” said Brown. “This has definitely been a challenging time, but we’re making the best of it!”
About the Peabody Companies
The Peabody Companies and its affiliates – Peabody Properties, Peabody Resident Services, Peabody Supportive Housing, Peabody Real Estate and Peabody Miami – is headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts, at 536 Granite Street. A full-service real estate firm, Peabody Properties manages over 13,000+ units of housing throughout New England, as well as additional communities in New Jersey and Florida. This award-winning, privately held company and Accredited Management Organization (AMO) was incorporated in 1976 and is under the direction of Karen Fish-Will and Melissa Fish-Crane, who were recently ranked #31 (out of 50) on Glassdoor’s 2018 SMB Top CEOs list. Recognizing its long-term commitment to Resident Services as a unique area of expertise within the field of property management, a specialty sector, Peabody Resident Services was established and is dedicated solely to the development of support services and programs for residents of affordable housing. Designated as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and certified by the Massachusetts State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA), Peabody was recently ranked #49 on the 2019 National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) Affordable 100 List, as well as a 2017 and 2018 Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe and 2018 and 2019 Glassdoor Best Place to Work (most recently ranked #10). Learn more at http://www.peabodyproperties.
