National Healthcare Week

It was a first. We never really celebrated National Healthcare Week before. We always celebrate our staff in October with a rip-rousing "Staff Appreciation Month!" but never before did we participate in the National celebration.

Kathy dressing up for funThis year is different. Our staff has gone above and beyond the normal service to which they are called. They did not "sign up" for a pandemic - or pandemic service in a nursing home. And so, sort of at the last minute, we decided to express to them in a tangible way, exactly how we felt about them.

Most of it came across as comfort food! Families sent cookies and donuts and pizza and ... food. Many sent messages more precious than the food, expressing their gratitude and esteem. We posted those on the wall of the classroom - and they are currently hanging by the check-in station at the front desk.

DeloresOn Wednesday, we held a dance party all through the Home and that was tremendous fun! The video can be viewed on our facebook page:  here.

Throughout the week, staff members wrote notes to one another, expressing their admiration and gratitude for one another. It's easy to work with people all the time and not say the things that really matter. So we took the time for that.

And then, we began the "Why I Love This Place" project, which you can view in another entry.

We found, as a staff, that we are a strong and united family. This pandemic has been a difficult challenge, but it provided us with an opportunity to see who we are.

And that is a beautiful thing.


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