At the end of last week, I had the opportunity to attend a half-day at Bitove Academy. Leading up to this experience, I had minimal knowledge about the program, and how it functioned. I was made aware that the academy was a place where elderly persons with mild to moderate cognitive impairment came to engage in a day program and participate in various mentally and physically stimulating activities. This program differed from other, somewhat similar programs, in its approach to care. In brief, the philosophy of Bitove Academy is non-medical, and it veers away from treating its participants as patients. As such, the staff members at Bitove Academy are not provided with charts, and therapy is not necessarily the end goal of the activities that participants engage in.

            My experience at Bitcove Academy was overwhelmingly positive. The academy had developed a strong sense of community, which I believe is a very important factor for seniors’ wellness, in general. Additionally, the wide array of activities planned for the day ranged from crossword puzzles to salsa dancing lessons to watercolour painting. This ensured that each individual’s interests were catered to. While I only spent a few hours interacting with the participants and engaging in their activities, it was clear to me that each participant was thoroughly enjoying themselves.

            Moving forward in my medical career, the experience at Bitove Academy will stick with me. I have realized that it is important to keep an open mind about different types of care models, and different approaches to care. Often, these alternative models can be equally as effective as traditional approaches.

-AS