Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin in the News
Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin Honors Its Nursing and Facility Staff for Providing High-Quality, Compassionate Care
Facility Events Celebrate Both “National Nurses Week” and “National Skilled Nursing Care Week”
May 22, 2023
Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin has honored its nurses during National Nurses Week for the vital roles they have played during the past year in providing compassionate care to facility residents.
Then, the following week, all of the facility’s staff were celebrated for delivering high-quality care to hundreds of Illinois’ seniors and individuals with disabilities during National Skilled Nursing Care Week.
National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. While nurses are appreciated throughout the year, this week is designated for special events to mark the contributions they make to their community.
Right after National Nurses Week is the annual observance of National Skilled Nursing Care Week, May 14 to May 20. Established in 1967 by the American Health Care Association, the celebration week this year has adopted the theme “Cultivating Kindness,” recognizing the compassion provided at skilled nursing facilities when improving health and strengthening human connections.
“Watching the countless acts of kindness that take place every day in our center, I am both grateful and amazed by our staff, who seem to personify compassion as well as competence,” said Carol Williams, CEO/administrator of Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin. “Not only is our skilled nursing care facility committed to providing a high level of care for our residents at all times, but our staff is especially sensitive to residents’ need for one-on-one social connections.”
Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin marked the two, week-long celebrations with several special activities:
- A week-long appreciation of gifts and treats, including steak dinners for the nurses
- Nurses were given chair massages, and a big gift bag full of goodies for each nurse.
- Facility staff had a super hero theme day, complete with costumes.
“We show appreciation for our nursing staff and facility colleagues every day but especially during nurses and skilled nursing care weeks,” Williams added. “They are a huge part of our residents’ lives and vital pieces of our building.”
About National Nurses Week
To acknowledge the contributions of nurses and call attention to their working conditions, the International Council of Nurses established May 12 as International Nurses Day in 1974. The celebration was extended to a week a few years later, and National Nurses Week was officially born in 1994. Sponsored and promoted by the American Nurses Association, the week-long event highlights the crucial contributions that nurses make to the community.
About National Skilled Nursing Care Week
National Skilled Nursing Care Week recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America's elderly and disabled. The week-long observance starts each year on Mother's Day and is celebrated through the following Saturday.
About Hallmark Healthcare of Carlinville Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin is a 67-bed skilled nursing facility in Pekin, Ill., providing long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, respite care, and long term care needs . The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact Jackie Walker at (309)840-8638 or visit the Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin website at www.hallmarkpekin.com.
Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin Honors Leanna Hudson-Ramsey During National Activity Professionals Week for Success in Engaging Residents
Activities Directors are a Key to Resident Happiness at Skilled Nursing Facilities
Feb 2, 2023
Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin, the 71-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility, honored its activity director, Leanna Hudson-Ramsey, for her work with her activities team in creating a stimulating and engaging resident environment.
The recognition came during National Activity Professionals Week, Jan. 23-27, 2023. Activity Professionals Week - established by the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) - is a national week-long celebration that honors the efforts of activity directors at healthcare facilities. These professionals enhance residents' daily lives by providing opportunities to engage in recreational, intellectual, and creative activities.
Addressing the needs of the community's senior population is what motivates Hudson-Ramsey every day. “We most enjoy getting to know each of our residents through working with them during activities,” she said. “Everyone here is special and has an amazing story. We fully enjoy the work we do, getting to laugh, have fun, and enjoy new experiences with our residents, while they tell their stories.”
At Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin, Hudson-Ramsey said three of the most popular resident activities include:
- New experiences, such as virtual reality tours. The Pekin Public Library has worked with Hallmark Healthcare to provide these tours. “Some facility residents choose to visit far off places, like France or Italy. Others choose to visit their childhood home, which can be quite moving,” she said. “Some chose to go to old playgrounds or churches. These have been amazing experiences.”
- Snack crate box sharing. “We get sample snacks from different parts of the world,” Hudson-Ramsey said. “We tie these together with reading and trivia about the area that we are sampling, plus watch videos and experience other aspects of the area's culture.”
- Trivia and music. “One of the great advantages of working at Hallmark Healthcare is the new ConnectCareHero social engagement system we installed,” she said. “We are able to engage in trivia with sister facilities and have live games. These games get our community excited as we are competitive and love to win.”
Hudson-Ramsey became an activity director in 2018. “I chose a career in skilled nursing because I love working with the senior community,” she said. “I get to know the community and provide engaging activities for them on a regular basis. Activities are much more than just bingo. I work with all of the staff in the facility to provide amazing experiences and memories for the individuals that live here, and it's a wonderful thing to be a part of every day.”
Focusing on Quality of Life
Professionals like Hudson-Ramsey and her activities team are key players in a facility's care team, creating innovative programming that positively impacts the lives of residents, and identifying new ways to collaborate and support the community. Every day, the activities team strives to support the mission, vision, and commitment to providing quality care and innovative services for which Hallmark Healthcare of Pekin is known.
Research from the National Library of Medicine reports that social engagement promotes physical and mental health in older adults. Keeping its residents inspired, involved, and connected are how the Hallmark Healthcare activities team defines its mission.
“We are passionate about the job because our team has a great deal of compassion,” said Hudson-Ramsey. “Each resident in our facility is amazing and we truly want to provide them with the most enjoyable and enriching experiences while they are at Hallmark Healthcare.”
To become an activities director, it takes patience and compassion. Professionals working with an aging population meet certain professional standards to become adept and finally certified. They are masters of multi-tasking - providing opportunities for residents to engage in stimulating activities that improve their quality of life while creating a sense of community.