Remember your Senior Prom.......

Well, National Nursing Home week was a big hit. I've never been so tired in my life, but it was worth it for the residents. We planned a lot for the week, almost too much, with a Mother's Day Luncheons, a Food Show, an Employee Grill Out and raffle and A Senior Prom.

With all the things we did, my over all favorite, and the most work, was the Senior Prom. Watching the anticipation and excitement build in the residents and even the staff and family members was just awesome.

Not having attended my own school prom, I wanted to make sure I touched all the bases and didn't leave anything out. This was going to be the event of the season!

A few calls and the dresses were being donated by the bunches. Every color, size and style you can imagine. And while the tux rental donations came easy last year, this year was another story due to the recession. No tuxes!! A few more phone calls to the families and the suits and ties were in the bag. Who needs a tux anyway?

And even though we have a weekly beautician come several days, to do the hair of her regulars, this was a special occasion. Everyone who wanted to have their hair or nails done would be on the the schedule. Paul Mitchell beauty school came through beautifully with an instructor and ten student. They spent the day making the resident beautiful, even if they didn't want to attend the prom.

The flowers were ordered and set for delivery. The music, the same as the year before, booked and ready. The local newspaper even set to attend and do pictures. (they haven't run the article yet, but say they are a couple weeks out on delivery - I hope he wasn't pulling my leg). And more volunteers, girls and guys, than we knew what to do with, available to dance and take pictures with the residents or whatever was needed..

On the day of the prom, the staff got really into it too, helping fit the residents with evening gowns and making sure their hair and make up was just so. Even dressing up themselves. You can really tell you work with a great team when everyone comes together and makes sure everyone is involved and having a good time.

It was a lot of work, but well worth it! The room was smaller than we wanted, and some of the families didn't get to attend this year because the prom was held during the day rather than in the evening, but the prom went off without a hitch. Everyone had a wonderful time and we have the pictures to show for it!

So I may not have attend my own prom, but who needs it. This is one of the best proms I have ever been to. And what a way to celebrate our residents. Everyone was sooooo beautiful! Am I ready to do it again tomorrow, no way. But you can count on next year being even better.

Quote for the day: Celebrate today for tomorrow may never come. Besides, look at all the fun you're missing out on.

God Bless. Good Night.

Where does the time go?

I so totally let April get away from me. And May is well on the way of getting away. They say the older we get the faster the time gets away from us. Funny, I don't feel old, tired sometimes, but not old.

The last full week in April, I got to get away to Florida. Something I have waited almost a year to do. I got to see my best friend Pam and her new home in Land O Lakes. She had foot surgery while I was there. It was nice sitting around, catching up. I spent the day with my sister. I haven't seen her in almost two years. That was sweet too! The only draw back was, one of the reasons I wanted to go to Florida was to spend some time with my brother. I ended up only getting about an hour and a half with him. I feel bad about that. Maybe it was God's way of saying, don't get your hopes up, or leave it alone, he's happy. I can move forward and stop worrying about him. I have missed him so. I do feel better that he is happy. He doesn't like his job much ( he at least has a job) but he gets to spend quality time with his grandchildren and he really seems to enjoy that.

It was a great time but coming back I have to wonder if it was worth it. Getting away, I was promised that the state mandated paper would be picked up where I left it and kept up while I was away. For the record, don't believe everything people tell you. Nothing was done. I'm still not caught up.The days at work are so busy and crazy, they are but a blur when I try to go back and look at the day when I get home.

I've been back for a week and a half and haven't seen the residents yet. Oh, I've seen them, but not really seen them. I want to spend quality time with them but can't seem to get away form the computer. I have weeks of state mandated paper work to catch up on, the monthly calendar, the newsletter, assessments, care plans, signs, birthday list, a Mother's Day luncheon this Saturday, and that's not even the half of it. May is an important month for seniors. It's National Nursing Home Week. Our facility plans lots of great stuff in May in celebration of the elderly. We have a full week of celebration which includes Senior Prom that is well into planning. Everything is crazy now but will be behind me in a week.

I know it seems like I am whining, and maybe I am, but I do love my job. I just don't like the stress of some of my team member not doing their share. I gave three staff members a job to cover a box with with paper and put a sign on it for a ballot box, by the end of the day, so the resident's could use them as voting boxes for a king and queen for our upcoming prom. At the end of the day, no boxes were anywhere to be found after the staff left. I did find one (one!) box. As beautiful as it was, it was only one bax. I need four!

Anyone ever been to a Prom for Senior Citizens. I haven't. I'm looking forward to it. The residents are getting so excited. They have been being fitted with donated prom dresses. I can't wait to see them all dressed up. I have a bunch of volunteers from the local high school football and soccer teams coming to have pictures taken with the residents and maybe even a little wheelchair dancing. I cant wait to join in on the fun.

But first, the Mother's Day Luncheon. That should be really nice and rewarding for the families too. I know, one day at a time.

My quote for the day: "Take life one day at a time, you'll live longer."

Thanks for stopping by and letting me bend your ear.
God Bless and have a good night.