Each week, for Give Back Thursday, we offer a suggestion or ideas of things you can do if you want to be supportive of others in the community or extend a helping hand to those in need. This week, we suggest you support our local nursing home residents for Give Back Thursday! To bring unexpected joy their way is truly a gift that will impact both them and you.
During the current pandemic, our local nursing homes have been closed to visitors for the safety of the residents. The staff of each have worked extremely hard to keep the nursing home residents, our most vulnerable population, safe and well. We extend our appreciation to all of the staff members of Grove Manor Nursing Rehabilitation and Personal Care, Orchard Manor, Quality Life Services Grove City, and Transitions Healthcare Autumn Grove Care Center. These facilities have worked hard to protect their residents and keep them healthy, while also keeping their spirits up while visitations are not allowed.
Naturally, during this pandemic and no visitation time, nursing home residents may be missing their family members who would visit them, or seeing the community members who would come to the homes, especially children’s groups who would visit and entertain them. The staff at each nursing home have done what they can to connect residents with their families virtually through things like Facebook, Skype and good old fashioned phone calls. They have also done more activities and found creative ways to keep the residents entertained and spirits uplifted.
As a community, we can certainly do our part to help the nursing homes and support our local nursing home residents this week. It could be as simple as making cards or having the children in your life draw pictures or make crafts that could be sent to the nursing homes. Something as simple as this can really lift someone’s spirits. You could connect with the Activities Director at each nursing home and see if there is something else you would be able to do or offer. Perhaps you can sing or play a musical instrument. You could do a simple video showcasing this talent and send it to the Activities Director. Perhaps this could be played for residents and used as special entertainment.
Each nursing home is different and protocols can be different. It is best to contact the Activities Director to see if your idea is acceptable or if they have ideas of things you could do. Perhaps they could allow you to make signs and put them in their yards for residents and staff to see. Perhaps you could do sidewalk chart art. Maybe they would have a specific area outside where you could sing or recite poetry or read a book aloud, and residents could be inside and hear you. There are many possibilities, it just takes the willingness to reach out and brighten someone’s day!
For more information, you can call any of our local nursing homes and simply ask for the Activities Director. For additional contact information, visit our Member Directory’s Nursing Home listing at: https://grovecityareachamber.com/member-directory/?cn-s=&cn-cat=80
Grove Manor Nursing Rehabilitation and Personal Care – 724-458-7800
Orchard Manor – 724-458-7760
Quality Life Services Grove City – 724-458-9501
Transitions Healthcare Autumn Grove Care Center – 724-735-4224