WARWICK – (May 14) "It's a smal world, with a big heart."
That was the theme for this year's National Nursing Home Week, May 8-14.
The American Health Care Association (AHCA), which established the special week in 1967, had chosen this year's theme to commemorate a historical time for older adults:
And the residents at Schervier Pavilion, a skilled nursing facility on the Warwick Campus of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, are likely to remember that time and the New York World's Fair of the 1960s.
The week began on Sunday, May 8, with entertainment by popular song and dance man Kevin Curry in the Schervier Pavilion dining room, adorned with colorful flags from all the nations of the world. Later that afternoon, residents were invited to a Mother's Day Tea.
The following day, Sister Mary Spano officially opened the celebration of National Nursing Home Week with a special prayer.
Carol Tunney, director of nursing, then welcomed the residents. She explained the Small World theme, reminding them about the New York World's Fair of the 1960s and how the weeklong series of entetrtainment, fun and games would tie into that memorable event.
One welcome example of that connection was serving the residents Belgian Waffles topped with fruit and whipped cream. The special treat was popularized at the 1964-5 Worlds Fair.
Tunney also gave a special introduction to residents Ida Sabini and Barney Dobrowolski who both celebrated their 100th birthdays this past year.
During the remainder of the week residents had an opportunity to enjoy special events and musical entertainment.
On Tuesday, for example, there were carnival games and an ice cream social.
Wednesday featured a resident and staff sing along of two songs popular at the time of the New York World's Fair: Disney's "It's a Small World After All" and the New Seekers' "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," a sentiment shared by all. The "Not quite ready for Broadway" but much appreciated entertainment was followed by pop-corn served with Coca Cola.
On Thursday, DJ "Octavius" entertained everyone with a selection of old favorites while the residents enjoyed appetizers. And on Friday there were closing ceremonies, special staff recognition awards and a happy hour with wine spritzer.
"With a Big Heart" symbolizes staff and families embracing the resident or patient with individualized care, social interaction, and a compassionate heart.
Nursing Home Week at Schervier Pavilion was also a random act of kindness week where residents, families, and staff had an opportunity to give "big heart" stickers out to anyone who performed a random act of kindness. And on Friday, those with the most stickers were recognized with big heart awards.
Therapeutic recreation is essential to the quality of life and the quality of care of individuals receiving health and human services." Said Kari Call, a certified therapy recreation specialist (CTRS) who serves as Director of Recreation at Schervier Pavilion. Her job is to provide recreation resources and opportunities for the residents seven days a week. "We publish a calendar every month," she added, "that's filled with interesting and entertaining events for our residents throughout the day as well as some evenings."
Schervier Pavilion is a 120-bed skilled nursing facility licensed by the New York State Department of Health. Dedicated to the highest standard of health care excellence, its full range of services, such as its therapeutic recreational program, are designed to respond to each individual's physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
In addition to quality long term care services, Schervier Pavilion also offers a wide range of short-term (sub-acute) care needs. Its sub-acute services include IV therapy, rehabilitation therapy and wound care. These services afford residents the ability to recuperate for a short time in the sub-acute unit of the facility and then return home where they can resume a more independent life. In some cases, they can then enter Schervier Pavilion's Day-At-A-Time, an innovative medical adult day care program that provides nursing services, medication administration, ongoing evaluations and stimulating activities tailored to individual's needs and abiliites.
About St. Anthony Community Hospital, a Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network For over 75 years, St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, New York, has been serving the residents of Orange County, New York and New Jersey's Sussex and Passaic Counties with outstanding and compassionate care. The 60-bed hospital has been a primary resource for emergency, medical, surgical, obstetrical/gynecological and acute care services. Also on campus is the Mount Alverno Center, a state-approved adult home with an assisted living program serving 85 residents, and Schervier Pavilion a 120-bed, skilled nursing facility dedicated to the highest standard of healthcare excellence. For more information about St. Anthony Community Hospital, Mount Alverno Center and Schervier Pavilion, visit bschs.bonsecours.com or follow the facilities at Facebook.com/bschs or Twitter.com/bschs.
About Westchester Medical Center Health Network The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,500-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, NY, spanning seven hospitals and several campuses and locations in the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 10,000 people, with nearly 3,000 attending physicians. From Level 1 and Level 2 Trauma Centers, the region's only acute care children's hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals and numerous health-related centers, programs and services, today WMCHealth is the leading and pre-eminent provider of integrated health in the Hudson Valley. For more information about WMCHealth, visit www.WMCHealth.org
Photos:
1. Sister Mary Spano officially opened the celebration of National Nursing Home Week with a special prayer.
2. Carol Tunney, director of nursing, then welcomed the residents. She explained the Small World theme, reminding them about the New York World's Fair of the 1960s and how the weeklong series of entetrtainment, fun and games would tie into that memorable event.
3. Carol Tunney, director of nursing, gave a special introduction to residents Ida Sabini and Barney Dobrowolski who both celebrated their 100th birthdays this past year.
4. Sister Mary Spano greeted each resident.
5. Morrison Food Services Executive Chef Bryan Smyth prepared and served
Belgian Waffles topped with fruit and whipped cream.
6. & 7. The week began on Sunday, May 8, with entertainment by popular song
and dance man Kevin Curry in the Schervier Pavilion dining room, adorned
with colorful flags from all the nations of the world.
8. & 9. On Thursday, DJ "Octavius" entertained everyone with a selection of old
favorites while the residents enjoyed appetizers.