As we reflect on another busy week here at the nursing home, we can’t help but be thankful for God’s grace. We have been blessed with good health and a community of residents that makes us thankful to be able to do what we do. With Christmas rapidly approaching, festivities are in full swing!
Our week began with a Daily Guidepost reading over the intercom, reminding us of the value of a quality friend: “A friend loveth at all times” Proverbs 17:17. We are reminded time and time again how rich our lives are when we are surrounded by wholesome people. “True friends are those rare people who come to find you in dark places and lead you back to the light” -Steven Aitchison. How humbling yet powerful is it to know that we will always have a friend in Jesus! He loves us despite our flaws and leads us to the light.
December 6-12 was again busy with window visits for residents and their families. It’s a bit different than our porch visits that were held over the summer, but nonetheless, it’s always exciting to get family connecting with their loved ones. In addition, there was a noticeable increase in the daily mail this week. Many smiles radiated from residents’ faces when being handed a Christmas card from their family and friends. Thanks for remembering your loved ones with pictures cards that they often hold tight and cherish for a very long time. If you would like to video chat or window visit with a friend or family member residing at the Home, please use the simple online sign up to ensure staff if available to assist as needed via a link on the homepage to this website: www.calendly.com/achroanoke
Manicure Mondays was once again a hit for our lovely residents as the ladies were delighted for another round of pampering. Every Monday morning the activity staff pops into rooms and asks who would like their nails painted. It starts with a relaxing hand massage and then the residents get to pick their polish color from an array of neutrals and pinks. They are always smiling from ear-to-ear by the end and it's such a treat for the residents as well as the staff.
Sunday’s Apostolic Christian Church services were replayed on Activity TV Channel 2 throughout the week. It’s such a blessing to have the opportunity to share the message to the residents in the comfort of their own
rooms.
Over the weekend the Home was blessed to receive donated carnations from the Midwest Food Bank in Normal. Thanks to the talents of Activity Assistant Phyllis Eden, beautiful floral vases are decorating the nurses’ stations, lobby, and other areas of the Home for everyone to enjoy. What a blessing to live in a community with individuals and businesses that go the extra mile to show kindness.
Tuesday the activity staff visited resident rooms and helped residents write out Christmas cards for their loved ones. We are so thankful for those who donated Christmas cards to the activity department. The residents love being able to choose from a wide selection and write a special message with the assistance of staff.
A very special activity took place on Wednesday afternoon. The activity staff made Do-It-Yourself hand cream with the help of resident Phyllis Remmert. She suggested making a few batches of this wonderful cream from a recipe that she has had for years. She plans to pass little jars of the stuff to each resident as a special Christmas surprise. To make your very own batch, whip one 15 oz. bottle of baby lotion, one 7.5 oz. tub of Vaseline, and 8 oz. of vitamin E cream in a large bowl. Rub a small amount into your hands and feel the immediate softness of your skin!
Dorothy Lawson of Toluca was admitted to the Home on December 9 and welcomed to room west 15.
Thanks to Gina Webb RN for providing darling gingerbread cookies for all the residents. Activity staff passed them around during the Mail Call delivery and what huge smiles it brought! These cookies reminded everyone of holiday baking from older times.
Courtney Genard music therapist with Vitas Hospice Care visits our facility weekly to provide live music. She strums her guitar and sings familiar hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “Joy to the World,” which is such a treat when other live entertainment is currently restricted from going inside at nursing homes. We are so thankful for our essential wellness workers who are able to visit residents despite these troubling times. You make a difference in our residents’ lives!
December 10 staff sang “Happy Birthday” to resident Helen Zobrist while presenting her a cupcake from Caleri’s Cafe and Bakery. We are so thankful for her bright smile and humor that lifts staff’s spirits each and every day.
Friday marked the first day of our “12 Days of Christmas” at the Home. Each day activity staff plans to pass a different treat to bring Christmas spirit to our residents. In addition, we are taking part in the “Twelve Prayers of Christmas.” Each day a new virtue and verse is added to a special calendar in each resident’s room. This is a fun way to remember the true reason for the season. Jesus has given us so many blessings to be thankful for and especially in our world today, we easily can forget how much we truly have. Reflecting on this past year, we have been challenged in so many ways, yet have overcome our obstacles by God’s grace. On the 12th Day of Christmas will be a prayer for FAITH. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
NOTE: Thank you to the groups who have already Christmas caroled at the Home. This is a huge blessing for the residents! Please consider scheduling a window caroling sing this year with your family, church, or civic group by contacting Activity Director Mary Beth Knapp at 923-2071 ext. 170 or via email to marybeth@achroanoke.org to plan a mutually convenient date/time.
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