This is a very busy week for our residents as they celebrate “National Nursing Home Week.” It started with a Mother’s Day tea. We invited family members to come in and celebrate Mother’s Day with us and we crowned our “Mothers of the Year.”
Each year staff members vote for Mothers of the Year, one from each floor. This year’s winners were Illa Hall, Susan Freeman and Thelma Wilson. Each one of our mothers received a tiara, a dozen red roses and a certificate of “Mother of the Year.” We always keep it a surprise from our residents and we invite their family members to share in this event.
All our mothers are special and we have the tea to celebrate each one of them and all they have given to us throughout our lifetime. Our mothers have a special place in our hearts and they always will.
On Monday, the activity staff decorated the recreation room with stars and stripes for National Nursing Home Week. The theme this year is “Sprit of America.” We also decorated our nursing stations with flag banners.
That morning, our residents and staff members shared their talent. Illa Hall shared her quilt-making with the residents. Odessa Ousley played her harmonica to “Sweet Bye and Bye.” Sue Forest accompanied her on the piano and they played it again with the residents singing along. Nannie Biggs showed one of her puzzles that she had worked. Margaret Bocock shared her card-making skills.
Peggy Yeatts and Mabel Stowe showed their crocheting items they are working on and had finished. Residents Rachel Kelly, Kathleen Olson, and Angie Costanzo showed their dancing skills. We had a lot of fun and the residents had a good time sharing their talent with the rest of the residents.
Staff members Francine Jones performed for our residents. She dressed up like Dianna Ross and sung “Stop in the Name of Love.” The residents really enjoy Francine and her talent. At the end of the program, all residents and staff members participated in the “Chicken Dance.” That was a lot of fun!
Jennie Gregory and friends performed karaoke, and many residents sang along with them. Later that night David Via came to perform a little bluegrass and county music.
Tuesday, some of our residents enjoyed a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. They got to stop at Mabry Mill and have their picture taken. The veterans of Blue Ridge were honored with snacks and patriotic music performed by Sue Forrest. We are blessed with having 26 veterans at Blue Ridge. Each veteran was given a flag, a patriotic hat, and a flag button. We are so thankful and blessed to have these men in our lives. Each one is a hero; they scarified so much for our freedom.
That afternoon, the residents had fun playing bingo. This is one of their favorite games and they look forward each week to win a prize off the bingo cart. The bingo cart is stocked with donated items such as personal hygiene items, puzzle books, coloring books, caps, jewelry and snacks. That night the Mountain View singers performed for the residents.
Wednesday, the residents had their weekly church service in the recreation room. We are so thankful for the Patrick County Ministerial Association. These ministers take time out of their schedules to come and take care of the residents’ spiritual needs each week. We are also blessed by the Patrick County Retired Teachers Association for coming once a month and performing.
Thursday, some of the residents enjoyed having a picnic at Fairy Stone State Park. Each year we try to take them on a picnic and they share their memories of camping out, fishing, and going to the park with their children to swim or going boating. We always have a good time, and the food seems to taste better when you it eat outside.
That afternoon we honored our individual volunteers with an afternoon tea. We are so blessed with having a wonderful group of volunteers who love to give their time and share their talent with our residents. We can’t thank all of our volunteers and the activities department enough for what they do.
Friday, as our celebration winding down, we are having foods from different cultures—Italian, Irish, Mexican, African, and Chinese. We like to give our residents a variety of food from all over the world, which they have never tried. During this activity, they talk about the origin of the food, their taste and if they enjoyed it and would eat it again.
We end our week of activities with having some watermelon. We love having watermelon for our residents during the hot days of summer.
We are now working on our in-house vacation week, which we will be in August. We have to get our supplies in and research done on the places we want to visit. We always try to make it a learning experience for our residents and a fun one.
