National Nursing Home Week is May 10 through May 15 for area nursing homes. This year presents quite a different challenge with visitor restrictions in place due to COVID-19 pandemic.
At the Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center, there will be window visits on Tuesday and Thursdays for families to see their loved ones.
In a constant effort to meet the needs of residents, those residents with dementia pose quite a different challenge. Residents not seeing their loved ones could present “behaviors” for this group of residents.
Staff and family members are finding ways to reach out to residents.
Jim Pascarella was treated to a special window visit on Saturday. As Pascarella could not be taken off the floor, the staff decided to bring the family to him. His wife of 61 years, Brenda, and her family, made a window visit on the patio. After missing their anniversaries, birthdays, and daily visits, many tears were shared by staff and family alike.
Amid the scrutiny surrounding nursing homes seen in the media, there are many heartwarming stories to share. The staff at the Pavilion at BRMC, have worked hard to overcome new challenges during these unprecedented times, planning fun activities for Nursing Home Week.
Sunday began with a Mother’s Day tea, cards and danishes for residents. Kicking off the week will be Spirit Week for staff and residents alike.
Each day will be celebrated with a fun theme. Examples include Hero Day and Throwback Thursday. As the theme for this year is “Sharing Our Wisdom,” activities will be based around the residents sharing their favorite memory or time in their life, and these will be placed on an owl and put on the Pavilion’s “Wisdom Tree.” The week will end with a picnic for staff and residents. There will be special treats throughout the week, too.
Saturday is Armed Forces Day, and staff will honor its veterans on the patio with music and a celebration. Staff have been holding other fun activities, such as ice cream socials, rock painting, window posters, dance parties, and helping with FaceTime calls with residents since the start of the visitor restrictions.
Staff at the Pavilion know how much the residents miss their families and are committed to make it the best they can for residents.
