Celebrating Older Americans Month and Nursing Home Week

It’s time to celebrate someone special in your life.

Perhaps it’s a grandmother who shared a secret family recipe, or maybe a grandfather who took you fishing on Saturdays. Maybe it’s the parents who went to your school plays and cheered for you from the sidelines during sporting events.

This May is Older Americans Month, a time to express our gratitude for the experience and talents that older Americans bring to our community. The theme for 2020 is “Make Your Mark.” It is designed to reflect the difference that everyone can make—and you can help by supporting caregivers and playing an important part in the life of an older adult.

About Older Americans Month

Established 57 years ago, Older Americans Month is led by the Administration for Community Living.  The purpose of the organization is to help older Americans stay healthy and independent.

At Brook Stone, we help these Americans stay independent through our 20 beds dedicated to assisted living. These are for those who need help with everyday tasks such as dressing or bathing, but are still able to live independently. Through assisted living, we’re able to allow these adults to live as independently as safely possible.

We have 80 beds dedicated to skilled nursing care. This is for those who may need more intensive nursing care or those who need rehabilitation after a stroke, or a hip or knee replacement.

We fully support the Make Your Mark theme for Older Americans Month and want to remind you that there are several ways you can make a difference in the lives of seniors.

Some Facts About Older Americans Month

Want to have a bit more information about Older Americans Month? You’ll find the following tidbits interesting:

  • It was established in 1963.
  • When it was established, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday.
  • At the time, a third of older Americans lived in poverty
  • President John F. Kennedy met with members of the National Council of Senior Citizens and declared that May was Senior Citizens Month.
  • The month was later renamed Older Americans Month.
  • Every president since Kennedy has issued an official proclamation about Older Americans Month.
  • The month is celebrated across the country through fairs, special events and ceremonies.

Ways You Can Celebrate Older Americans Month

Of course, we have special recognitions for our residents, but are you looking for ways you can help your community while honoring seniors who have made a difference in your life? We’ve listed a few ways below:

Be a volunteer

This may mean playing the piano for residents of a senior nursing facility or helping a neighbor by preparing a meal. You may also wish to pick up groceries for those who have difficulty getting around.

While we welcome volunteers and visitors, because of COVID-19 we have had to restrict visitation. If you are interested in visiting or volunteering, we encourage you to call us so we can contact you when the restrictions have been lifted.

Invite your loved on to share their story

Why not give your loved one a call and ask them about what the world was like when they grew up. Ask them about their childhood, some of their favorite things or a wonderful memory. You may be surprised by what you discover!

Even better, you can record these stories to create a wonderful family legacy that can be passed down through the decades.

Discuss family history

If you’ve ever been interested in genealogy or your family tree, Older Americans Month is a perfect time to collect additional information.

Of course, there are always online resources such as Ancestry.com, but that only tells part of the story. The true treasure trove of information is in the hearts and minds of family.

National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW)

Older Americans Month isn’t the only celebration underway in May. We also celebrated National Skilled Nursing Care Week. This week seeks to recognize all those who care for those in senior care facilities.

We’re proud of our staff and their dedication to the well-being and health of our residents. We believe that NSNCW is a perfect time to recognize their compassionate care.

We believe it is truly our staff that sets us apart from other skilled nursing communities. Our staff is highly skilled, friendly and truly devoted to treating each resident with dignity and kindness.

Brook Stone in Pollocksville Offers Quality Care in a Peaceful Environment

At Brook Stone we recognize the contributions our residents have made to our region. Many of them have had wonderful careers where they have given so much to others.

In turn, we welcome the opportunity to care for them as they have given so much to our community.

Interested in learning more about Brook Stone? Check out one of our virtual tours and contact us for more information.