Mt. Macrina Manor Celebrates National Skilled Nursing Care Week
Employees and residents of Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown, Pa. took a tumble down the rabbit hole to Wonderland last month. They celebrated National Skilled Nursing Care Week May 12 to 18 with “DisneyWeek,” filled with food, entertainment and fun of a decidedly animated variety.
Angie Slaughter, activities director at Mt. Macrina Manor, said residents on their 19-member council chose the theme and a committee of employees worked out the logistics to make it a reality. “It all works together. The residents have input and so do employees,” she said. “Every day (of National Skilled Nursing Care Week) is something for residents and our employees to show appreciation. We make it a weeklong, fun celebration for our
residents.”
National Skilled Nursing Care Week was established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 to recognize the roles of skilled nursing centers’ staff and volunteers who care for seniors and residents with disabilities. Mt. Macrina Manor is a 130-bed, not-for-profit, skilled nursing facility which offers 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitative services, memory care, and pastoral care to all denominations.
Its mission is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great. The week’s events begins on Mother’s Day each year. Angie outlined some of this year’s festivities: May 13 was “Magic Kingdom Day,” as 40 three and four-year-old children from Head Start Fayette County visited and a Laurel Highland high School student dressed up as Elsa from “Frozen” and sangDisney songs for residents.
- May 14 was “Disney Friendship Day,” as employees dressed up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snow White and Prince Charming, the Seven Dwarfs, and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger for a character parade. An Elvis impersonator also performed for residents.
- May 15 was “Epcot Day,” as international foods were served courtesy of invited food vendors.
- May 16 was “Animal Kingdom Day,” as the dining room was decorated in a jungle theme and residents enjoyed a petting
zoo with live barnyard animals. - May 17 was dedicated to celebrating Mickey Mouse’s 90th Birthday with a party and birthday cake. Angie said, in past years, themes have included a “FiveDay Cruise,” Hawaii and “Road Trip U.S.A.” highlighting different stops from California to Pennsylvania. “Everything you can think of, I think we’ve done.”
She said residents of Mt. Macrina Manor enjoy participating in the week’s events. “Oh, they love it. Because we decorate really, really big for this event. We have some residents helping with coloring pictures and making stuff to hang on the walls. Family members enjoy it. They’re always welcome to attend activities, too,” she said.
“The residents always thank the staff and they are appreciative of our hard work, too.” Mt. Macrina Manor employs about 210 full and part-time employees. Angie said it’s important to recognize these unsung heroes during National Skilled Nursing Care Week.
“It’s because of all the hard work they do. It’s a hard job. You deal with residents with all different types of cognitive issues and behaviors. It’s hard work but it’s very appreciated, too.
“We like to show that appreciation to our staff and all the employees.”