With a certified Laughter Leader and Joyologist on staff, residents at Ohio Living Breckenridge Village are immersed in having fun

By Patricia Nugent

With a host of engaging programming and full slate of activities and excursions, the crafty planners at Ohio Living Breckenridge Village follow a “laughter is the best medicine” approach.

In fact, the director of activities, Mary Ellen Layman, is a certified Laughter Leader and Joyologist.

“There is a science behind the benefits of laughter,” she explains. “This simple, joyful act triggers a healthy cascade of physical and emotional changes. For instance, it relaxes the body, strengthens the immune system, causes feel-good endorphins to release, lowers stress and blood pressure and boosts your mood.”

On a weekly basis a group of residents self-named the BV Joy Crew hold laughter sessions so loud you can hear the joy throughout the building.

“Every once in a while, we’ll have someone who isn’t in a good mood and doesn’t want to come, and I tell them that’s exactly why they need to come,” she says. “By the end of the session, they are laughing and glad they made it.”

Programming with a Heart
Tuesday evenings are for entertainment. Each week local musicians or theater groups appear at the Performing Arts Center in Osborne Community Plaza.

“We send the van around our campus to pick people up so they can go,” she says. “About 50 residents attend. We’ve welcomed an eclectic variety of highlighters, including a group of bassoonists, pianists, jazz bands and operatic vocalists.”

In addition to the weekly programs, Mary Ellen and her staff orchestrate monthly Sip & Paint parties, Karaoke Events and seasonally-themed gatherings, like the pre-Thanksgiving Grateful Gathering they threw in November, with games, crafts and a good old-fashioned cake walk.

Flo L., a resident of OLBV North, attended the gathering and had a ball.

“The various activities are both intellectual and fun,” says Flo. “It’s a nice way to get out and meet other residents and I find the programming very stimulating. They do a fantastic job.”

Whatever the schedule holds, you can be certain it’s driven by the residents, who are part of the planning, selecting events both on campus and away from it, travelling to places like Severance, Playhouse Square, the art museum and new restaurants in town. Ohio Living Breckenridge Village partners with vibrant organizations, such as the Fine Arts Association of Willoughby, The Lubrizol Theater and Learning Center, Case Western Reserve University and the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library.

Always Learning
The pursuit of lifelong learning is a powerful ingredient in fostering meaningful and fulfilling lives, and the residents here are known for keeping their curiosity lively.

“We cater to how much our residents want to continue to learn and grow,” says Mary Ellen. “We offer many experiences and opportunities, and even have a resident-led program called Science with Joe, which covers subjects like evolution and plant life. Establishing relationships with nearby colleges and fine arts associations allows us to expand our learning and enrichment.”

Opening up the World
When the pandemic hit, the staff at OLBV researched emerging programs to bring people together and ward off the social isolation caused by quarantining.

“We introduced the award-winning Rendever Virtual Reality experiences to broaden their activities and they loved it,” says Director of Activities Mary Ellen Layman. “We use the VR headsets for any of our residents, whether independent living, assisted living or skilled nursing. They can be operated in group settings, where several people put on the headsets and go to a common destination, like the outback of Australia, or on a river raft ride, while a staff member operates the experience from a tablet and asks prompted questions. We also use Rendever for individuals who might not be able to leave their accommodations. For instance, there was an art lover who enjoyed ‘visiting’ art museums such as the Louvre.”

The sessions take place on a weekly basis and the group decides together where they will go the following week.

“They can travel to all the corners of the world, and enjoy thrilling experiences, like riding a rollercoaster, in an immersive, three-dimensional way,” she adds. “Sometimes they enjoy revisiting activities they took part in during their youth, like fly-fishing or climbing a mountain. It improves their sense of adventure and reduces social isolation.”

Another program they invested in is the IN2L, which stands for It’s Never 2 Late.

“During this group initiative, residents interact with a large television that includes all-encompassing activities, such as exercises, singalongs, trivia contests and more,” she says.

Situated on 53 acres of rolling parkland with scenic views and meandering walking paths, Ohio Living Breckenridge Village is located at 36851 Ridge Road in Willoughby. Options range from active retirement living in two- and three-bedroom ranch homes, condos and apartments to assisted living, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care facilities. More than 700 residents call the campus home. Call 440-942-4342 or visit OhioLiving.org for more information. Accommodations within Ohio Living Breckenridge Village are pet-friendly.