Excellent Rehabilitation Isn’t Just for the Young Only at Heart…

 

 

Valerie Wilson came to Willow Manor TruRehab after having her leg amputated below the knee.  Being young in age, Valerie was scared to come to a “skilled nursing facility” because she was unsure of what to expect.  What she found during her stay here was a lot more than she would have ever imagined.  Arriving late on a Saturday evening, Valerie’s admission was warm, comforting, and she knew then that she had made the right decision by choosing Willow Manor. 

 

“The therapy here was really good.  The therapist knew what to do; you could tell they’ve had experience in amputations. The staff is all great people and fun to get to know.  They listened to what I wanted and what I needed out of my stay.  They treated me with respect and I always felt like I could talk to them.  The room was really nice and very comfortable. If I ever need therapy again, I will certainly call on Willow!”

Taking Care of Those Who Have Taken Care of Others

 

Myrna Brown is a well known woman in our community.  From the work she has selflessly done to help protect women and children who have found themselves abused, Myrna Brown is a name that many hear and instantly smile.  Myrna was no longer smiling when she found herself in the hospital sick, weak, and unable to manage herself alone.  She needed to go to a skilled nursing facility for therapy before she could make it back home.  Myrna chose to come to Willow Manor’s TruRehab unit.  During her stay she worked diligently with the therapy staff, working on strengthening, balance, and dexterity.  In just a few short weeks, Myrna felt strong enough to return home.

 

When asked about her stay here at Willow Manor, Myrna was elated to give her thoughts.  “I would come back here for my care anytime!  I was astonished with how well the TruRehab unit ran.  The care that I got was exceptional.  The therapy gym was very spacious and very well equipped.  The therapy and the nursing staff were very educated in their jobs and the care they had for us patients was phenomenal.  I would recommend Willow to anyone!”

Hele mei hoohiwahiwa National Nursing Home Week!

 

 

Hele mei hoohiwahiwa is a Hawaiian expression for “come celebrate” and that is exactly what we’re wanting everyone to do this week for National Nursing Home week!  The theme for this year is “Embracing the Aloha Spirit” and here at Willow Manor we are embracing the love, laughter, and spirit with all of our residents, staff, and community members! 

 
On Monday, May 12^th, we invited our staff and residents to our Tiki Bar in our activity room.  We served fresh and delicious fruit kabobs along with fruity shaved ice and tropical smoothies!  The staff participated in a hula hoop contest while the residents sat back and voted for their favorite!  The event lasted from 11:00am until 3:00pm with traditional Hawaiian music and dress!  Our activities room will continue to hold the Tiki Bar and Shaved Ice stand all week long during the numerous activities we have planned.

 

 

Working at the Carwash!

On Friday, April 25^th, the department managers decided to treat the staff at Willow Manor to a free car wash!  From 11:00am – 3:00pm, managers went and got employee’s cars from the employee parking lot, brought them out front, gave them a good shine, and then brought them back to the employee parking lot.  This was done for staff appreciation, wanting to give back to the staff members for giving to our residents every single day.  Although it may have been a little chilly outside, the managers had a blast and the employees left with squeaky clean cars!

 

 

A Birthday Wish Becomes a Reality

In June of 2012, life became unrecognizable for Victoria “Crystal” Adams.  At the young age of 57, Crystal suffered a massive stroke that left her entire right side paralyzed.  She could no longer work, live on her own, or do simple every-day tasks such as walking, brushing her teeth and hair, or getting dressed by herself.  Crystal’s speech was so mumbled that many around her could not understand what she was saying.  She was in a world alone as she had such a hard time voicing her needs and her concerns.  After a lengthy hospital stay, Crystal was told she would need long term care in a nursing facility.  This news devastated her and her boyfriend of 20 years.  She was too young to have to live in a skilled facility.

Crystal was transferred to a sister facility at Linton Nursing & Rehab for a few months before a bed became available here at Willow Manor in Vincennes, where Crystal is from. Upon arrival, the staff here at Willow could sense the spark and dedication in her.  Although doctors had told her she would never be able to live at home again, Crystal kept with her therapy each day, working so very hard.  She was involved in activities, loving to do exercises and playing BINGO and word puzzles to make the days go by quicker.  Stephanie Davis, Social Service Director, worked diligently on services that could be available for Crystal in her home.  Here at Willow Manor, we too wanted her dream to come true of returning home.

That dream did in fact come true on April 30^th, 2014, Crystal’s 59^th birthday!  After a year of Stephanie in Social Services working effortlessly with numerous organizations in the community, she was able to set Crystal up in her home with services through Money Follows the Person that helped to fund a new program called Caregiver Homes that allows for in home services for a person with needs.  Stephanie also resourced Crystal’s necessary Lifeline services, made sure a wheel chair ramp was created; a lift would be delivered, medical supplies taken care of through a local home medical store, as well as setting up services with a local home health agency for continued skilled services.

Crystal left us here at Willow Manor with these words, “I was happy with the care I received here.  I really liked my shower times because the girls always made it so relaxing.  The CNA’s always spent a lot of time helping me and I never felt like I was troublesome to them.  I really liked getting my hair done at the beauty shop and going to the big exercise group every morning in the activity room.  I just felt really comfortable here.  I cannot describe how happy I am with the care I received during my stay, but nothing can compare to me being able to finally get to go home.  These girls made it happen and it is something I will never forget.  Thank you, to all of you.”

Crystal leaves Willow Manor with a new twinkle in her eye.  Although she still needs a lot of care, she is now able to feed herself, speak and be understood, and she is able to assist herself with getting dressed, brushing her teeth, and combing her hair.  We are very proud of our therapy department, our Social Service Director Stephanie Davis, and all the nursing, dietary, and all of our staff that worked with Crystal.  But more importantly, we are very proud of the hard work and dedication that Crystal put in for herself to make her dreams come true.  We will miss you, Crystal, and we wish you the happiest birthday ever!

 

 

Taking Caring to a Whole New Level – Willow Manor Congratulates One of Their QMA’s for Customer Service Superstar Win!

 

 

 

Tammy Chanley is such a superstar in our eyes here at Willow Manor.  Tammy has been a QMA at Willow since 2009. She has shown great compassion with her job many times in the past.  Recently we had a resident in the hospital that has no family or friends to speak on his behalf.  Being aware of this, Tammy took her own time to go visit and spend hours at the hospital with this resident. With the resident being very lethargic and hard to understand, the hospital was at their wits end on what this Resident would or would not want in areas that needed to be addressed by him.  Tammy went into the room and sat with some photos and got the Resident to finally open his eyes. She was able to get him to voice what he wanted.  He, at that time, said that he wished for Tammy to be his Healthcare Representative. He knew that she would help make the best choices and listen to him and what HE wanted. Tammy had gone almost daily to visit him, keeping him turned, mouth cleaned, and keeping him going.. He said that no one has ever loved him and that he was grateful to have Tammy in his life.  Thank you, Tammy, for going above and beyond.  The world needs more nurses like you!

Tammy was also awarded the Customer Service Superstar Award for March from IMG who as a company whole recognized her amazing compassion.  Tammy was awarded with a plaque for her dedication to her residents. Here at Willow Manor we are very proud of Tammy and the care she provides!  Congratulations Tammy!

 

What a Delicious BINGO!

 

 

 

 

On Thursday April 24^th, 2014, Willow Manor  hosted yet another successful Breakfast Bingo.  Coffee starts brewing around 8:30am.  Right at 9:00am a blessing is said, and then a buffet of homemade scrumptious breakfast food is served.  With a spread of sugary doughnuts, fruit salad, fresh scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fluffy biscuits and creamy gravy, Willow Manor’s Breakfast Bingo is open to the senior community.  Attendance ranges from fifty to sometimes seventy-five people!

 

“This is our way of thanking the senior community for welcoming us as a part of this great town. It’s free to the senior public and the turn out each month is amazing.  We have our regulars that come but we look forward to new smiling faces as well!”  Said Cassie Abel, the Admissions Coordinator at Willow Manor.  “The breakfast is prepared by our department managers and you’ll see us mingling with everyone, pouring their coffee and getting to know one another.”

 

After their plates are empty, patrons of our Breakfast Bingo get ready to play four enticing games of BINGO, with a prize for each and every winner.  Breakfast Bingo at Willow Manor is held on the fourth Thursday of every month.  For more information you can call 812-882-1783.  We invite you for next month’s delicious game!