Philanthropy Amplifies Life
This 2011 story from our Asbury Foundation FOCUS Magazine archives is one of many inspiring stories sharing the actions of our donor family.
Asbury Solomons resident Dolores Cloyes presented to the Resident Council the idea of a fund to meet the need in the Health Care Center for personal amplification devices for residents with profound hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect the ability to enjoy one-to-one communication with family, friends, staff, and peers in group activities. It can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, exclusion, and frustration.
The Resident Council, with support of the administration, moved forward with a plan. Contributions to this program were used to purchase a limited number of devices for use in the Health Care Center. The idea was then expanded to include the purchase of a “Tour Group System” that furthered interaction between residents and associates during small group presentations.
The results have surpassed initial expectations. Residents with hearing loss are beginning to feel a sense of inclusion, empowerment, and acceptance. There are improved relationships with peers, staff and family through both one-to-one communication and increased group participation. Use of personal and group hearing assistive devices will certainly help improve the quality of life for residents with profound hearing loss.
We are grateful to Dolores for sharing this idea, and so happy to be part of this special project. We are blessed to have the Foundation on our campus to help us with projects such as this that are not always funded by our operating budget.
