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Nursing homes help during holidays

CMS 120B capstone project

Tue, Dec 4th 2018 10:05 am
By Lindsey Spencer
Special to Niagara Frontier Publications
For many, the holiday season is filled with joy, family and friends. People come together to celebrate their religion, beliefs and each other. The holiday season also gives one time to reflect on one's blessings in life and be grateful for what one has.
However, others aren't always as fortunate. Some people can't spend the holidays with their families for different reasons. Some could be travelling, in the armed forces, ill, and some don't have family at all. And some are in nursing homes for multiple different reasons. Take this holiday to help someone in need or help to brighten up somebody else's day.
Elderwood is a specifically great facility for loved ones to be placed once they can't take care of themselves anymore. Elderwood is a nursing home facility located on 2850 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island. Families trust their loved ones to live here or temporarily stay here and be taken care of. It offers a variety of services at the facility. Its website lists services such as subacute care and rehabilitation services, cardiac rehab, oncology, orthopedic rehab, SMARTS express care, wound care specialty programs, respite care, seasons memory care program, long-term care and skilled nursing. The environment provides many different options for patients. Elderwood also provides medical care for patients and transportation to doctor's appointments.
Elderwood also make patients feel like they're at home. There is a sense of community at this nursing home. Patients make friends that turn into family because they spend their every moment with these people. The nurses are friendly and welcoming, while assisting their patients' every need.
Elderwood is an excellent establishment; however, nursing home patients statistically still face some form of depression. The Centers for Disease Control website statistics show that, in 2011 and 2012, 49 percent of people in nursing homes had some form of depression. This is an incredibly high statistic, meaning nearly half of nursing home patients have depression. That being said, what are these establishments doing about it?
Grand Island Nursing Home Holiday Activities; How to Give Back
Elderwood likes to keep its patients active and busy. Each month, it comes up with a calendar with a list of activities on it for patients to part take in. Elderwood is extremely excepting with religion and faith. It accommodates patients and has religious services quite often. Elderwood also has a local priest come in once a week to give patients the host (the body of God). Bible study is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m., and multiple religious services are hosted each Thursday, as well. A variety of other activities are listed on Elderwood's Facebook page, including:
  • Fit Friday with Taylor
  • Friendly visits
  • Crafting Corner
  • Roaming Spa
  • Table topics
  • Rosary
  • Decorate a cookie
  • Bingo
  • Dance circle
  • Pet visits with Maddie
  • Music and Rhythm
Each month, a calendar is posted on the Facebook page of all the activities going on each day. CLICK HERE to access the page and be updated on current events.
During the month of December, the nursing home has multiple activities that people can take part in.
Jenna Reinard, director of activities at Elderwood, explains. "We make a lot of cookies this month." This seems to be a patient favorite at Elderwood.
Another winter activity the patients get to experience is carolers. A group of (usually) children come in and sing carols for the patients at Elderwood. This really puts a smile on their faces seeing the children sing. The patients also get regular visits from therapy dogs - especially Maddie - who come in regularly to visit. One can bring in one's own dogs, as well, if one has a family or friend in the nursing home. One can fill out the form on the website HERE to access the website.
Reinard explains, "We have volunteers all year-round."
Elderwood needs volunteers regardless of what time of year it is. Help around the holidays is still appreciated and a good way to give back during this season.
Some other activities during this month that one can help participate in are:
  • Gingerbread decorating
  • Eggnog social
  • Crafting a wreath
  • "Elf" movie night
Get Involved
To get involved, Reinard says, "You can contact Ashley, the activities director at Grand Island Elderwood." She takes care of all the activities the residents perform.
Grand Island is a tight-knit community and people often come together when someone is in need. Grand Island hosts events such as Relay For Life, church charity sales and more. This year, think about the elderly and how to participate in one of these events to brighten someone's day.
Make a difference in the community this holiday season.
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Niagara Frontier Publications works with the Niagara University Communication Studies Department to publish the capstone work of students in CMS 120A-B.
These articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of NFP, NU or the communication studies department.
Comments can be sent to the NFP editorial department, care of the managing editor.

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