Sweet summer treat stirs memories at Rockcliffe Residents look forward to Saturday visitor   Thursday July 8, 2010 -- Lisa Bailey A treat on wheels is stirring sweet memories for residents of Leisureworld Caregiving Centre Rockcliffe this summer. An average of 40-60 residents, including some with cognitive and physical impairments, enjoy ice cream and other ice-cold novelties served every Saturday afternoon from an ice-cream truck. Since June, the local operator has been stationing the vehicle in the parking lot of the Scarborough long-term care home for about an hour. Program manager Caitlin Johnston notes an ice-cream truck used to come to Rockcliffe regularly a number of years ago and the practice was revived last summer, at the suggestion of a longtime activation aide. It’s proving to be a hit with residents, who look forward to the visit and walk or wheel to the truck on their own or accompanied by staff. Staff and residents’ council have also treated residents to the delectable items. “It brings the whole building together,” Johnston says. Ice cream is a favourite treat for many, especially in summer. Johnston notes it is also leading residents to reminisce about their childhood. They tell stories, for example, of enjoying ice cream with siblings. Recapturing such moments is significant, especially for residents with dementia. “It brightens their day, it lightens up their lives,” she says, adding agitation levels have been reduced while reminiscing. The ice-cream truck was part of a new twist on the home’s Father’s Day celebration this year. Residents, families and staff played baseball in the home’s parking lot. Mini-putt golf was also set up in the area. For the occasion, residents and some staff members wore tie-dyed shirts that residents made. Noting many of the home’s residents are baseball fans, Johnston says the event allowed them to be active and outdoors and engage in an activity with their family members. They could also interact with one another and make new friends. Johnston says the event also reflected the importance placed on fathers by the home. “A lot of people recognize Mother’s Day more than Father’s Day and I think they’re both important, so we wanted to do something for fathers.” Thanks to the residents’ council, everyone who took part in the celebration received a treat from the ice-cream truck for free. If you have feedback on this article please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.