'Blessing Bike' will allow residents at Cascadia more outdoor time

Weiser Care of Cascadia recently acquired a passenger bike known as “The Blessing Bike” through a recent fundraiser. The bike will allow their residents to spend more time outside and be more mobile, adding to the quality of life for many residents.
 The Blessing Bike is a 501c3 not for profit organization started right here in Idaho. In August 2018, Wade and Jill Houser developed a cargo style passenger bicycle to accommodate the needs of their 92 year old family member, Rosemary.  
 The design for the bike is simple and affordable, but allows for a smooth and safe ride for any passenger. After their design went viral, they realized the demand and created the non-profit organization in Rosemary’s legacy to help others have the mobility and experience that blessed the final season of Rosemary’s life.
 Cascadia’s activities director, Tiffanee Henson, has been watching the Blessing Bike story develop over the years as other families and facilities ordered the bikes and shared the amazing experiences. When she accepted the position of activities director in December 2020, she knew right away that she wanted to join the other five Cascadia buildings who have actively fundraised and purchased Blessing Bikes for their own facility.
 “It will greatly benefit the lives of those residents who have enjoyed going for bike rides previously and who find themselves unable to do so now, as well as every resident who just wants to get out and about for some fresh air,” Henson said.
 While the non-profit organization only charges what it costs to make the bikes, the cost of the Blessing Bike is $1,600, and the money needed to be raised through active fundraising. Thinking that it might take a little while to raise the money, Henson made the fundraiser one of her first projects as activities director. Amazingly, however, the local community members and business owners immediately showed their generosity in full force.
 Henson spoke with the Blessing Bike LLC and asked about how to set up a fundraiser directly through their page. After confirming details and setting things in motion, Hansen posted the fundraiser on The Weiser Care of Cascadia Facebook page and a few local community pages. The fundraiser took off immediately.
 “We had donations come in from as far away as Alaska. In a weeks’ time we raised enough money to cover the bike,” Henson said.
 Especially after the quick response to the first fundraiser, Henson shared that she would definitely hope to raise enough money to purchase a second Blessing Bike in the near future. With two bikes, the facility could accommodate more residents on outings in our community.
 “We are excited and blessed to receive our first bike. After demonstrating how important an asset these bikes are to our residents here in Weiser, it is my hope that the community will rally with us a second time,” Henson said.
 Henson has been a licensed CNA for nearly 17 years and became a licensed activities director in 2008. Henson’s goals as activities director are to bring happiness and fulfillment to every resident who visits the facility whether it be for short or long term stays. She has been grateful for the community involvement that she has seen so far, and plans to continue to utilize as much community involvement as possible.
 It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult for those living in long term care. Many residents and workers have been impacted by illness and loss, and visits from loved ones have been extremely limited.
 Activities programming has been hit hard all across the nation. Scheduled activities now must maintain social distancing. Those activities that used to utilize one set of dice for multiple residents now have to have a separate set for each participant. Everyone has to have their own supplies and cannot share.
 Henson said that simple things like sending cards for residents to read, sending gift cards for gaming and craft supplies, and even donating to supplement the resident media libraries can mean the world to the facilities.
 “I enjoy including the community in all aspects of our activities programming and will always offer ways the community can come forward to help. The best way to reach out is to simply call and ask what you can do to help,” Henson said.