Why do nursing homes have birds?

Armed with large photos of different bird species and stuffed “bird models” that emit the related call of those birds when squeezed, Mr. Elkins spends about 30 minutes with each group of six to 15 Alzheimer's patients, and trains nurses to do the same. read more

There are so many regulations on plants and animals in nursing homes- for instance, a cat must have a litter box, of course, and that litter box must be cleaned out every shift. There aren’t enough staff to clean the human Residents once each shift- so you know this one is going by the wayside. Which brings us to birds. read more

At Infinia, some residents get up with the birds in the morning, checking them out before going to breakfast. Others spend at least some time with the birds during the day, said Rosie VanThomme, the nursing home's activity director. read more