An annual event that both the children from Willson House Child Development Center and the seniors from Willson House and Jason Lee Manor all enjoy is the Tea Party which will take place on September 10th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  The children range in age from 2 to 8 years old and they really look forward to wearing beautiful hats, eating special little sandwiches and drinking from real tea cups. Tables are decorated by staff members based on popular themes such as Mickey Mouse/Disneyland, Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh’s Tea Party.  Last year there were 20 children and 60 adults and we are expecting record attendance at the 2014 Tea Party.

The intergenerational program at Willson House is one of the first of its kind in Oregon and since 1985 it’s been a place for generations to learn and grow together. On a normal day, seniors drop in at the Child Development Center to visit, read books, make crafts, sing songs, or share stories with the children.  The children make daily visits to Willson House and Jason Lee to share activities with the residents.

Whether it’s a Tea Party or an impromptu activity, the residents look forward to interacting with the children.  Studies show that seniors who are exposed to intergenerational activities have more positive attitudes and memory improvements than the non-participating residents.  The sound of a child’s laughter and the unconditional love children give are just two of the many benefits the seniors at Willson House enjoy.

On September 10th at 3:00pm bring a friend and come to Willson House for a fun afternoon of tea, snacks, laughter and lots of fun!  Wearing a fancy hat to the Tea Party is optional… wanting to have fun with children is all that’s required.  Call us at 503.585.6511 for more information.

On Sunday, August 10th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm our 104th Anniversary Celebration is being held in the garden at Willson House.  There will be singing and dancing by the Blue Velvets and ice cream sundaes for all. Butterflies will be set free to signify the strength that United Methodist Retirement Center has had to spread our wings despite hard times to become an amazing “Home” for people to live who are treated with kindness and respect.

It began in 1910 when a small group of women from the 1st Methodist Episcopal Church in Salem had a dream to create a home for people who didn’t have the finances or the family support to live the last days of their lives being cared for with the dignity and respect they deserved.  It was out of this “chrysalis” our “butterfly”, the United Methodist Retirement Center, emerged.  In the “sunshine” of the donation of the first home by Mrs. W. B. Ware and hours of work by members of the Women’s Home Missionary Society the adventure began.

Over time and with many hours of work and vision by both staff and volunteers, we have spread our wings to include Jason Lee manor, Willson House Residential Care Facility and Willson House Child Development Center.  There have been storms along the way which included a very destructive fire in 1961 and problems due, in part, to difficult economic times.

Out of this history, we have emerged with strength to spread our wings to be free for the coming Century of Service and Care for all those lives that are entrusted to us in this “Home” called United Methodist Retirement Center.  Celebrate with us on Sunday, August 10th at Willson House on 1625 Center St. NE in Salem.  For more information call 503.585.6511.

Join us on Wednesday, March 12th from 6-7:30pm at Willson House for "One Song Can Bring Back a Thousand Memories."

Music has a powerful effect on our brains and can bring back a flood of emotions and memories. Two talented professionals, Steve Toll and Jillian Hicks, will be on hand at Willson House to demonstrate how music can be used to bring joy and a quality of life to people who may have lost their ability to communicate.  Steve Toll uses Joyful Melodies! with music from past eras to encourage people to become engaged.

Jillian Hicks, demonstrates that music is a therapy to address physical symptoms, like pain and restlessness as well as emotional disabilities such as depression and anxiety. Both Jillian and Steve are extremely talented musicians and gifted speakers.

Jillian Hicks, MA, MT-BC, works as a Board Certified Music Therapist at Willamette Valley Hospice (Salem, OR) where she specializes in medical music therapy at end of life care for adults and children.

Steve Toll is a classically trained, multi-talented musician and composer. He plays many instruments. He is a Certified Dementia Care Specialist and Director of Prescription Music, founded in 2001 with his wife, Linda.

Desserts and beverages will be served.  Space is limited so pre-registration is required.  Call Willson House at 503.585.6511 to reserve your space for this entertaining, informative workshop.

Dr. Winningham, professor of psychology and Chair of the Psychology Division at Western Oregon University, will speak at Willson House on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 from 6pm to 7:30pm. 

This FREE education workshop “How Memory Works, Why We Lose it, and How We Can Improve it”  is sponsored by ComForcare Home Care and ProPac Pharmacy and open to the public.  Because seating is limited, FREE tickets are required and available here.

Dr. Winningham has nearly 20 years of experience researching memory issues and has conducted research in how the brain changes as it ages.  He has developed programs to improve older adults’ cognitive and physical well-being and has trained over 4,000 instructors in North America to offer similar programs.

For more information or to reserve your ticket to the presentation, click here or call Celly at Willson House (503) 585-6511.  Willson House is located at 1625 Center St. NE in Salem.

Back by popular demand, Willson House and Jason Lee Manor are having another Rummage Sale on Saturday, September 21.

In our blog post of June 27, 2013 we talked about the stress caused by hoarding.  Michael P. Meyers says in How Clutter Causes Stress, “hoarding is a serious issue that should be addressed immediately. Many clinical psychologists are in agreement that clutter causes stress and the wisest thing to do is to act on it before the behavior turns into a full blown obsessive compulsive disorder.”

When your body and brain are experiencing too much stress your cortisol level remains high and that can have an impact on the formation of new memories and your ability to retrieve old information in your brain.

So where do you even begin to “de-clutter” your life and put an end to some of the stress that may be impairing your memory? You can rent a table at the Rummage Sale to be held in the parking lot of Willson House and Jason Lee Manor on Saturday, September 21st from 9-4pm. 

Reserve a table for only $5.00 and sell some of those treasures that you no longer need.  Call Cathy Derby-Ray at 503.585.6511 for your table.  All proceeds from the sale will go to the Activity Program. If you don’t have anything to sell but you need some great things at bargain prices… the Rummage Sale is the place for you!