Adult Day Services Centers Offer Therapeutic Classes
Specialized classes for older adults in art, music, and horticultural therapy as well as exercise are being offered on an a la carte basis at our two Adult Day Care Services Centers: Marie Smith Health and Social Service Center (MSC) at 4616 N. Albina Street and Lambert House (LH) at 2600 SE 170th Street at Division.. The classes are also suitable for individuals with disabilities.
Therapeutic Class Schedule
(All classes last 45 minutes. A $15 class fee includes lunch or snacks where timing in appropriate.)
| Actvity |
Location |
Day |
Time |
| Horticulture Therapy |
LH |
every Thursday |
1l:00 a.m. |
| Art Therapy |
MSC |
every Tuesday & Thursday |
1:30 p.m. |
| Art Therapy |
LH |
every Wednesday |
10:45 a.m. |
| Music Therapy |
MSC |
every Monday & Wednesday
every Friday |
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. |
| Music Therapy |
LH |
every Tuesday
first and third Fridays |
1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. |
| Exercise |
MSC |
every day |
10:00 a.m. |
| Exercise |
LH |
Mon, Tues, Wed, & Fri |
10:15 a.m. |
| Yoga |
LH |
every Thursday |
9:50 a.m. |
| Yoga |
MSC |
every Tuesday |
10:00 a.m. |
“Our Centers serve older adults, many with dementia, and persons with disabilities who can benefit from the therapeutic value of music, art, and gardening as well as find immediate joy in the experiences,” said Lynn Schemmer-Valleau, VOAOR director of senior services. “Our exercise class is helpful for all seniors and appropriate for those who have suffered from strokes or have Parkinson’s disease.”
Horticultural Therapy
The classes are presented through Life’s Seasons Gardening with instructor Linda Park, a therapeutic horticulture activities specialist. According to Park, participants can experience the therapeutic benefits of gardening in four areas: cognitive stimulation with memory work and reminiscing of past gardening experiences; psychological wellness by participating in nurturing of plants and working in groups; social improvement with projects that encourage teamwork and verbal expression and physical health and well-being resulting from sensory stimulation and hands-on experiences with nature materials.
Art and Music Therapy
Among older adults, studies have shown that art therapy helps foster creativity, lifts morale, increases cognitive skills, decreases anxiety and stimulates the senses. Music therapy provides many of the same benefits.
Exercise Classes
Exercise is led by our professional staff and includes low impact movement, stretching and chair exercises.
“It’s encouraging to see many of our participants dance with delight during the music classes,’ said Schemmer-Valleau. “We see people who are sedentary all of the sudden brighten up and move with gusto to the music. Some dance, others tap their toes and many in wheelchairs nod with the beat. We know they are fully engaged at that point.”
Individuals may take just one class or sign up for several. The sessions are included in the fees for full and part-time Adult Day Services participants.
For additional information or to enroll, please contact the Marie Smith Center at
503-335-9980 and Lambert House at 503-760-2975. Calls are encouraged as schedules are subject to change.
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