Boyd Cottages Celebrates National Assisted Living Week: Family Is Forever

“Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”

- Maya Angelou

Boyd Cottages residents can write the book on what family means. For most, it’s not about being “kin” as one resident puts it. It’s more about laughing together and sharing moments of encouragement, just as traditional families do. This week kicks off National Assisted Living Week promoting “Family is Forever.”

Mrs. Lillie Brewer, Boyd Cottages Administrator, starts her day off speaking to each resident and getting an update on what happened during the night. By the time she turns off her desk light at the end of the day, she gets the latest news on each resident, their children and grandchildren and maybe even a ballgame score or the latest political debate.

“It really is just like family here,” Mrs. Brewer said. “The residents and staff keep up with each other just like we all do around our own dinner table. “Family is what Boyd Cottages is all about. On any given day, residents are found watering plants that all enjoy or sharing coffee and swapping stories on the spacious back patio porch.

Activates Director Martha Butler is bringing the big screen to the residents this week with movies, popcorn and beverages. Even Hurricane Irma can’t dampen the spirits of this family.

The week has many special activities including a pizza party and ‘choir practice” on Wednesday evening with members of Waynesboro’s First United Methodist Church. Choir members were eager to include Boyd Cottage residents in the Wednesday night practice. Other events include an afternoon of games and treats on Friday for residents and guests.

Boyd Cottages has experienced an extraordinary year of growth in the number of residents and programs available to keep residents busy. The facility is operating at full capacity for the first time in many years.

An Activities Director was added to the staff to work directly with residents to give them more opportunities for social activities. One of the newest program additions is that of Live Stream church services that complements the Sunday School led by Mrs. Mary Sue Prater each Sunday morning. The services are designed to help the residents feel as if they are a part of a congregation.