Elizabeth Johnson and Sruthi Katakam recently completed “Active Minds, Active Future,” their Girl Scout Silver Award project. Both are West Windsor residents and freshmen at High School South.
Their project focused on making a stay in the hospital more productive. When they visited Katakam’s mother, Poornima, a physical therapist at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, they noticed that most of the patients were in their rooms watching television. “We aimed to change this by providing a library and activities for the patients so that they could not only shy away from television, but also keep themselves mentally fit while they physically recovered,” says Katakam.
The patients, most ages 60 plus, are in the unit for two to three weeks after a major surgery including knee or hip replacements, before returning home. “Studies have shown that patients suffer the most memory loss and cognitive decline when they are in an environment that does not stimulate their brains,” says Katakam. “Our project was able to create an atmosphere where the patients are encouraged to read and perform easy mental activities and crafts to keep themselves busy and also interact with other patients.”
“The first part of our project was to create a library in the Acute Rehab,” says Johnson. “First, I conducted a straightforward survey with the present residents of the center to find out what genres of books interested them, will make a worthwhile usage of their time, and will promote a healthy atmosphere and hopefully healing and recuperation.”
The pair collected books through donations, a flea market, and neighborhood groups. After acquiring the needed books they created a catalog detailing the selection and allowed patients to check out books. They shelved the books in the cabinets and shelves provided by the acute rehab center.
“The final part of our project was to create an activities department, and I held workshops for various activities like crosswords, card games, board games, and bingo for the patients,” says Katakam. “We collected various supplies for the workshops through donations and allowed patients to come and go as they pleased. We also created a rolling cart so that patients who are immobile can still enjoy the activities and books.”
“Overall, we have been able to successfully create a fun environment for the patients,” says Katakam. “The patients can go to the library room, and pick an activity or a book to play or read. Otherwise, the patients can request for a nurse to bring them an activity or book to use in the comfort of their own room.”
Katakam is a member of Troop 71731, and her leaders are Preeti Bajaj and Poornima Katakam. Johnson is a member of Troop 70695, and her leader is Mickie Jarecki. Their project mentor was Humility Sumayang, the nurse manager for the Acute Rehabilitation Unit in the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.
