Decked out Teddy Bears brighten residents’ days

Susan Lawrence, activities director at Sunshine Gardens, has brought holiday cheer to the nursing care facility. But, she’s also inspired the residents.

Each month, Lawrence decorates “Teddy Bear Lane,” the main hallway in the facility at 10410 E. Ninth Ave., with a different theme. But the benefits of Teddy Bear Lane go beyond just decoration.

The hallway connects to the physical therapy room, and as part of their therapy, residents and patients must walk down the hall. “Teddy Bear Lane gives them something to focus on, if they’re walking, they don’t think about the pain,” Lawrence said.

Because most residents spend their time inside the building, Teddy Bear Lane orients them for the season. It also gives them an opportunity to reminisce and keep their mind working, according to Lawrence. “It’s had so many benefits … it makes the residents happy,” she said. Families who visit their loved ones at the facility will take a walk down the hall and the residents who may not have spoken all day will start talking. “It can be a conversation starter.”

Residents look forward to new bears and accessories in new settings at the beginning of each month.

“Even if the first of the month falls on a Sunday (my day off), I come in, because it’s important to me,” Lawrence said. Some of the favorite themes include December’s Christmas theme; in August the bears wear bikinis and surfer shorts in a beach theme; and in June, the bears are dressed as brides, fathers and grads, to focus on all of the month’s celebrations.

Lawrence receives a lot of her bears and other décor from community members. “It’s a staff, family and community project,” she said.

Bears have been dropped off at her office without a note on more than one occasion. “Sometimes I have no idea where they come from.” University High School students made a wood snowman that is a part of the January theme, and two years ago, children from Valley Christian Day Care made leaves for the windows that are still used in the fall theme.

Verna Fenn, a resident since 2006, is a fan of Teddy Bear Lane and everything Lawrence does for the facility. “I just marvel at her work,” Fenn said.

Fenn said Lawrence will take her and other able residents out to lunch regularly. In the winter, when it’s too cold for an outing, they’ll order in Chinese food and eat together in the dining room.

“Susan does a lot more than just windows,” she said.

Fenn does her part by inviting new residents to join group activities, including bingo and monthly parties, also put together by Lawrence.

Back at Teddy Bear Lane, Lawrence encourages residents to help her decorate and have a conversation while they’re putting the bears and their accessories in place, giving them the opportunity to stay involved and motivated.

“Our goal is to give them back as much as we can,” she said.

Lawrence has been an employee at Sunshine Gardens since 1987 and became the activities director in 1993. She took over the role to decorate the hall in 1993, from Margaret Dikes, the daughter of the founder of the facility, Ellen Craig. Dikes started decorating Teddy Bear Lane in 1990.

A sign marks the entrance to the hallway, “Teddy Bear Lane and Gallery.” And, in December, bears of all sizes donning holiday dresses and suits, garland, and even a reindeer, spread holiday joy to the residents, employees and visitors of Sunshine Gardens.