The event was held in the facility’s rehab center, where associates served hors d’oeuvres and refreshments to guests.

The program began with special guest Dr. Charles Creasman, who presented a talk called “Keeping Our Joints Healthy.” Creasman practices in general orthopedics and is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Orthopedic Surgeons Network of Arizona.

“The turnout was exceptional,” said Hannah Alley, marketing director. “Residents and their family members participated heavily in the discussion; many of the residents have had joint replacement surgery.

“Dr. Creasman’s active promotion of orthopedic subjects is not only admirable but also appreciated among fellow health care professionals,” Alley added.

One family member commented, “I had my knee replaced a few years ago, and my wife, her hip just recently, so Dr. Creasman’s presentation was very helpful for what to expect for the future.”

Following Creasman’s talk, the night proceeded with a barbecue dinner in the dining center. There, Freddy Spargo, a tribute artist, kicked off the entertainment portion of the night as Johnny Cash, singing favorites like “Ring of Fire” and “Man in Black.” To complete the evening, Spargo changed costumes and personalities, portraying Elvis Presley to bring the evening to an end with tunes like “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.”

“The energy in the room was really good,” said resident Carol Inderrieden. “Elvis was the perfect ending to a really fun night with my family.”

Family night at Glendale Care Center is the second Thursday of each month.

More than 1,400 eggs were hidden on the east lawn. Some contained small toys, while others held candy. The event also included picture opportunities with the Easter Bunny (volunteer Stacey Smola), cookies, Kool-Aid and ice cream. Each child received a prize – from spinning tops to squirt guns to bouncy balls.

“The kids looked so cute and had such fun with the Easter Bunny,” said resident Mary Barber. “I loved watching them play.”

“Stacey had so much fun being the Easter Bunny that she asked if she could come back to do it next year,” said Linda Clark, activity director.

The facility collected 878 books – 373 hardback and 505 paperback – to donate to F.J. Dutile School in Billerica. The school will receive 1 cent per pound, with hardcover books weighing approximately 1 – 2 pounds and paperbacks weighing approximately ½ – 1 pound.

“I was really surprised by the number of books we received,” said Jo-Anne Cimon, business office manager. “It was nice to see the support from the community and the associates. Without their support, this would not have been possible.”

The 73 children’s books the facility collected during the drive were given directly to the school to use in its library.

“We personally thank everyone who participated in this book drive,” said Cimon.

Cotton candy and money machines were being delivered and set up, and booths began to fill with various games. Many volunteers arrived to help prepare for the annual carnival, and activity associates decorated the main dining room with colorful posters painted by local students.

The popcorn began to pop. The hot dogs were cooking. The chili was warming. The wading pool was filling with water for the duck pond activity.

At 10 a.m., residents, associates and family members began entering the brightly decorated room. Associates encouraged them to try their skills at every game as volunteers manned the booths and showed the residents how to play.

There were tossing events, guess-how-many activities, fishing games, bulls-eye challenges and many others – all to fun music played by a disc jockey.

“The cotton candy machine was such fun,” said Sherry Forester, activity director, “and for the second year running, the money machine was a huge hit.”

Associates, residents and family members stepped inside the machine and tried to catch as many flying pretend dollar bills as they could in a short period of time.

“There was so much laughter our sides were aching,” Forester added.

Frances Harrell, a 96-year-old resident, tried her luck and caught five of the dollars.

“It is harder than it looks,” said Harrell. “Just when you think you’ve got a hold of it, it is blown away! But I sure did have a good time trying.”

A volunteer tallied up the amount each person collected, and at the end of the event, the person who caught the most fake money received that amount in real cash.

Associates dressed in their favorite Boston Red Sox gear, and team memorabilia hung on the walls. Balloons in red, navy and white also helped create the atmosphere of celebration in the building.

Residents enjoyed watching the home-opener game as associates wearing cigar-box-style food trays served them popcorn, hot dogs, sausages with onion and peppers, Cracker Jacks and ice cream sandwiches.

“It was better than being at the ballpark,” said resident Richard Pierce. “The food was good, and we were in excellent company.”

“It was awesome to see the excitement on people’s faces,” said Crystal Ledford, admissions coordinator. “Watching 92-year-old former coach and player Johnny Pesky recognized on TV was amazing – it was a good reminder of all that our elders have accomplished.”

“I am humbled and appreciative of the honor extended to me,” said Hunter. “But while my name is on it, the award is in reality a testament to the enduring partnership between Life Care Centers of America and the American College of Health Care Administrators.”

The Honorary Fellowship Award was presented during the ACHCA annual meeting at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. This award represents the highest level of achievement within the ACHCA. It honors exemplary achievement in the health care field and an ongoing commitment to staff, residents and the community.

Hunter has been president of Life Care for more than five years and has worked for the company for 26 years. During the meeting, he was praised for his community and worldwide relief involvement; developing creative programs to benefit the staff, residents and volunteers of Life Care’s facilities; and actively supporting the ACHCA and its education and certification programs.

“ACHCA truly appreciates Beecher and others at Life Care who are so supportive of our organization,” said Marianna Grachek, president and CEO of ACHCA.

Also during the meeting, several Life Care associates received ACHCA’s Facility Leadership Award:

• Kris Berntsen, executive director at Darcy Hall of Life Care in West Palm Beach, Fla.

• Jennifer Lindley, executive director at Life Care Center of Pensacola, Fla.

• Doyle Love, executive director at Life Care Center of East Ridge, Tenn.

• Raymond Thompson, vice president of Life Care’s Mariner Region in Washington

“Life Care encourages all of its administrators to be certified by the College,” shared Hunter, “and our company has sponsored a year-long initiative to create a national administrator mentoring program open to all ACHCA members. The first 20 pairs of mentors and protégés were introduced at the recent convocation. That was an energizing moment to see these future leaders of our profession lined up across the front of the meeting room, alongside the experienced professionals who will train them.”

ACHCA is the only professional association devoted solely to meeting the professional needs of long-term care administrators. It focuses on advancing leadership excellence in long-term care through providing leadership education, promoting professional advancement programs such as fellowship and certification, and facilitating leadership development. The College’s membership includes administrators of assisted living centers, nursing homes and retirement communities. For more information about ACHCA, visit http://achca.org.

The facility held a birthday party, with Thompson’s family members, facility residents, associates and visiting dignitaries, including Sparta Mayor Jeff Young and County Executive Herd Sullivan.

During the ceremony, Thompson was inducted into parent company Life Care Centers of America’s Century Club. Beecher Hunter, Life Care president, also presented a plaque of commendation to Thompson, who has been a personal friend for years.

“Poet Elizabeth-Anne Anderson Stanley defined quality time upon this earth in this way, ‘He [or she] has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much,’” said Hunter. “This aptly describes Bertie Thompson. I am proud to extend in a formal way my own gratitude for her positive influence on my life, through high school, college and beyond, as well as for many others.”

In addition, local pastor Don Burns said the prayer, and local entertainer Jay Peterson sang some of Johnson’s favorite gospel songs.

Thompson’s legacy has been as a devoted wife, mother and church member. She and her husband, Thomas, had three children: Joe, Monty and Dorothy (who is now deceased).

“Her main focus was on family and church,” said Tammy Blomgren, activity assistant and chaplain at Life Care Center of Sparta. “She wasn’t just a mother to her children; she was a mother to her children’s friends.”

Blomgren shared that Thompson stays active at the facility, especially with painting, socializing and attending church services.

“She’s been an excellent mother,” said Monty.

Alzheimer’s Tennessee features a walk every year that collects funds for Alzheimer’s support for patients and caregivers, and Life Care Center of Morgan County’s team, the Alz-Stars, coordinated the fundraiser.

The basket was filled with goodies from Bath & Body Works and Thirty-One gifts (provided by community Alz-Stars members Missy Longmire and Tammy Barnett, and Lynette Buffaloe, health information management director and facility Alz-Stars member). All About U Salon, located in Oak Ridge, Tenn., donated a certificate for a free pedicure.

Team members sold 150 chances to win in just four hours!

The lucky winner was Phyllis Richardson, an Alzheimer’s unit charge nurse who has been with the facility for more than 26 years.

“I never win anything!” Richardson said with a huge grin and a thank you to the Alz-Stars team members for making the basket.

“This is a fun week to celebrate our residents and honor our staff,” said Irene Michael, executive director. “Each day has something fun and exciting to do. It also brings in our neighbors from the community to see what we are all about.”

The facility’s first-ever talent show will take place on Wednesday, May 16, at noon.

Other National Nursing Home Week events for the residents include:

• Tuesday, May 15 – Root beer floats from 2 – 3:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 16 – Residents share their life journeys at 2:30 p.m.

• Thursday, May 17 – Resident, associate and family carnival at 2 p.m.

• Friday, May 18 – Elvis impersonator at 2:30 p.m., with an outing to view classic cars at 4 p.m.

For more information about the National Nursing Home Week festivities at Life Care Center of Sandpoint, please call (208) 265-9299.

Sponsored by the American Health Care Association, National Nursing Home Week is celebrated each year by nursing homes across the nation. The week is dedicated to increasing awareness of skilled nursing centers and the role these facilities play in providing an environment of security and quality of life. This year, the theme is Celebrating the Journey.

Associates from all departments donned blue Life Care Pride T-shirts (blue to symbolize loyalty and honesty) and shared a staff breakfast.

Next up was a poster contest in which all departments entered a poster they had created over a two-week period to illustrate teamwork and Life Care Pride. The Resident Council judged the entries and declared the maintenance and housekeeping department the winner for the team’s “When It Comes to Environmental, We Don’t Clown Around” collage.

“This was a great opportunity for us to get together and have a few laughs while working as a team,” said Gene Benedetti, director of housekeeping and maintenance

The posters were displayed in the main lobby for several days.

The spirit of camaraderie continued with a cookout of hamburgers, hot dogs and all the homemade fixings.

After lunch, associates competed individually in a cupcake-decorating contest while entertainer Janine D’Angello, a solo performer, sang and danced. The executive director (Jessica Morreale) and two residents had the pleasure of judging this competition.

Coming in first place was Jennifer Beausoleil, social worker, for her island oasis design. Second place went to Paula Toulan, accounts receivable associate, while Donna Durette, activity assistant, won third place.

“The event was a huge success, and we are looking forward to Life Care Pride Day 2013,” said Jeffrey Wheeler, admissions director.