Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is celebrated the opening of its one-of-a-kind sensory garden, adjacent to their dedicated memory support unit, on Wednesday, September 6.
While most memory support centers have secure green outdoor space for residents, Brandon Oaks took it a step further and created a sensory garden with programmatic activities for those with memory impairments. The garden provides experiences for all five senses – taste, smell, sight, touch and sound – to stimulate the mind, body and spirit.
A sensory-specific curriculum was developed based on all the elements featured in the garden. The targeted activities are designed for each sensory area with engaging hands-on activities that can be done with staff members or visiting friends and family.
Natalie Wynegar, Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Administrator, stated, “Our memory support unit prides itself on providing the highest quality of care and facilities, and the addition of the sensory garden makes Brandon Oaks one of the most innovative and unique memory centers in the region”. Brandon Oaks’ sensory garden is the only one of its kind in the Roanoke Valley.
Julee Goodman, Brandon Oaks Director of Development, spearheaded fundraising for this unique project. Goodman said, “Specialized programming spaces like the sensory garden are truly a gift to the community. The sensory garden was funded mostly by an individual donor whose passion is to enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia.”
Brandon Oaks worked with all local vendors to create this incredible space. Local landscape designers, Melissa Hodgkinson of Fiddlehead Landscape & Garden, and Tim Boitnott of Creative Nursey & Landscapes, Inc. helped make this dream a reality for Brandon Oaks residents. Hodgkinson stated, “Designing this garden gave me great joy knowing that it would have such a positive impact on the memory care residents. I put a lot of thought into creating spaces that would give multi-level sensory experiences that can grow and change seasonally and annually.”
Additionally, Brandon Oaks utilized community volunteers to add special touches to the sensory garden. This includes: a painted rock garden that features rocks painted by local students, Brandon Oaks staff and residents; a colorful mural wall painted by Patrick Henry High School student, Abby Cronise; and whimsically designed totem poles that were hand-crafted and painted by Brandon Oaks residents.
Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has been honored by US News and World Report with two national distinctions: Best Nursing Center for Long-Term Care and Best Nursing Center for Short-Term Rehabilitation. These designations are made by intense review of a facility’s quality measures, staffing ratios and more.
We are excited to announce the promotion of Jennifer Hicklin to Chief Financial Officer for VLH and Brandon Oaks, effective August 21, 2022. Jennifer currently serves as our Controller and has been a member of the VLH team since December 2014. However, she had previously served VLH as a member of our auditing team at Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co. Jennifer is a graduate of Bridgewater College where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting. In her spare time, she enjoys running, being active and spending time with her husband, Darrell, and children, Ty and Skylar. You can also find her throughout the year at multiple sporting events in Salem cheering on her children.
It is with great pleasure that the Board of Trustees for Virginia Lutheran Homes names Charles Downs, Jr., Esq. as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, August 8, 2022. Downs currently serves as VLH’s Executive Vice President.
Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community has implemented new technology for 
Natalie Wynegar, who previously served as our Assisted Living Administrator, has been promoted to the Administrator of the Nursing and Rehab Center.
Jessica White, who most recently served as our Resident Services Director, has been promoted to the Administrator of our Assisted Living and Memory Support Center.