It’s National Nursing Home Week!! This is a week to shine a spotlight on our nursing home residents and the staff members that help make a difference in their lives every single day. National Nursing Home week began in 1967 and was incorporated into the celebration of Older Americans Month established in 1963 when only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthdays. Each year there is a theme for National Nursing Home week, and this year’s theme is “It’s a Small World with a Big Heart.”

Every skilled nursing care center is a small, vibrant world. Here, caring people of all skills and professions interact socially and medically with residents, rehab patients, and families. Whether they are medical staff, nursing, rehab, administrative, etc. it takes every single one to make our facility special; a place that provides a caring and nurturing environment for our residents and patients. The work they do is truly important, but often underappreciated by those who do not understand fully the dedication and commitment made every day to caring for others. This week, we will celebrate the hard work and dedication of skilled nursing facility staff members and for our residents who continuously make a positive difference in the lives of so many. So join us this week for our big celebration that will include a carnival and parade with fire trucks, high school bands, vintage cars, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell-Hollingsworth, prom king and queen, and even the Mayor! We will have food of all kinds including corn dogs, ice cream, and many thanks for Buffalo Rock for sponsoring our drinks. There will be music! Lots of fun games! An altogether exciting day for staff and residents alike! With this year’s theme being “It’s a Small World with a Big Heart”, we will also have activities based around Florence including the History of Florence, Taste of Florence (sampling foods that are special to our city), and Music of Florence! So this week, salute your local skilled nursing care center and the role they embrace in society!