SOLEDAD — National Skilled Nursing Care Week began Sunday, and Eden Valley Care Center in Soledad kicked off their observation with a Mother’s Day celebration complete with visitations.
Staff at the center coordinated for 16 mothers to each visit with up to two family members inside the center’s outdoor garden area for 20 to 30 minutes, with 10-foot distance markers to maintain social distancing and package sanitation for any wrapped flowers or packaged gifts, like chocolates.
“After being in quarantine for a while, this was the best thing for the residents,” said Pamela Hernandez, activity director, adding that the event kicked off a week of celebrations between the residents and staff.
Each day of the celebration week has a different feature. Monday was a dessert and award ceremony for the heroes of the week. Tuesday was fresh fruit day with six different types of fruit. Wednesday was a potluck. Thursday’s activity had yet to be determined at press time. Friday is a T-shirt giveaway and luncheon.
Shirts and take-home meals will be provided to staffers who will not be present for the luncheon due to shift differences, in an effort to let all staff know how thankful the center is for them, according to David Martinez, the licensed nursing home administrator.
“Everything we can to give our thanks and blessings for how hard working they are,” Martinez said, in the motivation for the week of events.
Martinez said he is proud of the facility remaining Covid-19-free and the staff for making it happen.
“I have a very magnificent nursing department,” he said. “We want to celebrate them and let them know we are doing great because of them.”
Orchids were also given out Sunday in the center’s effort to celebrate both staff members and the residents they care for.
“A lot of what we’re trying is going to be unconventional,” Martinez said, noting the visitations had a whole magnitude of added complexity due to Covid-19. “We have a very talented group of people and we want to recognize that.”
While the center maintains contact between families and residents, Martinez said it is often remote communication. The Mother’s Day celebration allowed face-to-face visits.
“It was a success, and families enjoyed it,” Martinez said.
