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Show Ct Community SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS TUESDAY MARCH 30, 1993 Residents of this special home are Cared for By Jeanette Rusk Its called a nursing home, but the employees goal is that residents will consider it home. The 13-be- d elderly care that is part of the Kane County Hospital has been around since the early 1970s. Today it emphasizes social and recreational therapy and activi- ties, both to rehabilitate and to make the residents lives more enjoyable. The modern-da- y mission and of skilled this spirit nursing facility, can best be told through some personnel who staff the home. Brenda Martinet, a nurse who recently received her degree, is the nursing coor- dinator and charged with meet- ing the residents total needs, which include recreational and social aspects of care. Bonnie Choate and Teri Rice, both Certified Nurses Aides, are also Social Service Aides who helpprovide daily hands-o- n care the elderly residents, as well as to meet their social and recre- ational needs. Bill Canning, a retired state social worker is the social work consultant who gives expert ad- vice in developing care plans for 20-ye- ar is too busy for his retirement status, says the hours he works at the nursing home allow him the satisfaction of staying in- volved in the social work field, The job requires someone who has a masters degree in social work and a current Utah state license. Before Canning took the position, the nursing home re- lied on an outside consultant to provide needed services, On the social services side, our goal is that this be a place where the quality of life is, as much as possible, as good as it was before the person came in or even better, Canning ex- plains. Some are even happier here. At times their family and friends are not able to provide the care they need. Here they eat better and their medical and social needs are taken care of. The idea is that they all be as happy or happier than be- - fore. Canning points out that the people living in the nursing home are referred to as resi- dents, not patients. Their needs for independence and in- dividuality are recognized. We let them make as many deci- sions for themselves as they can about what to wear, what to eat, and activities. We make their rooms homey. They can have their own belongings, Their rooms have TV sets, books, and a bulletin board for family pictures. Canning says the nursing home has received a grant to purchase a van so that the resi- dents can be transported to out- side activities, then he person- alizes the need. Vivian here likes baseball, Canning says. pointingtoaresidentinawheel- chair. My goal is to get him to a high school baseball game this the residents. My priority is here, asserts Martinet who works two days a week coordinating the nursing home activities and one or two daysashospitalRN. This South Carolina native and mother of four, who has lived in Fredonia for 13 years, literally sparkles with enthusiasm and dedica- tion for her work with the eld- erly. She cites a quote that is not original but expresses her philosophy. People are like canned goods in a grocery store, They deteriorate if left on the shelf too long. Theyre not just spring. put here to die, Martinet stresses. They still have life in them. When they come here, they lose all their personal belongings. But they still have The emotional their needs of the elderly are exactly the same as those of every human. Being old doesnt make them feel any less. Thats why activities recreational and social are important, because it keeps their mind stimulated. We see a mqjor difference when theyre active and involved. Even residents with major limitations have some abilities if given an opportunity to deself-estee- velop. It is vital to honor each person and to enhance the quality of that life, giving each person 16 1 Choate, who has three chil- dren and is a new grandmother, works the three to eleven p.m. shift five days a week. A Fredonia resident who grew up in Sacra-facilit- y mento, California, she got her first taste of working with older people as a community aide for Coconino County ten years ago. She knew she wanted more of available at the local hospital. I like helping people I like the elderly, is her simple explana-Rtion of why she likes her work, Theyre interesting people. You can learn from them. You can learn history. You can get ideas to help your kids. Rice takes the seven a.m. to three p.m. shift. A mother of four daughters, she was bom in Kanab and grew up in Hurri-t- o cane, she took the nurses aide N John Isom pictured with Bob Ross. John training and is pleased with Ross Painting Workshops. where the training has led. I get the residents up and bathe them and feed them, Rice says ofher basic care role. However, she also is in charge of the Bob Ross Painting Workshop features Jon Isom monthly resident council and Long Valley Senior Citizen the patient care conferences Center is sponsoring a Bob Ross that involve an interdisciplinary team. Fainting Workshop featuring on Isom a certified Bob Ross I wanted to do something bet- Instructor. The workshop begins ter, Rice says ofher motivation 16 1:30 at to become a nurses aide. I re- - April p.m. at the Long Senior Citizens Center, like I it. Valey the residents. ally enjoy Is This to workshop open anyone They have a lot of knowledge and stories. Knowing Im mak- - interested and will run every ing their lives more comfortable Friday for six weeks with col- and pleasant is very satisfying. Rice modestly states something about herself that seems to ap- ply to the entire staff ofthe nurs- inghome,Tm a very By Twila Cox person. Tuesday evening a party was held at the Senior Citizens Cen- ter with 17 attending. Mrs. Lorene Lamb presented Collett Hoyt, Sonn Barrett, TriciaTay- lor, Deanna Glover with violins and cello to entertain attendees. In honor of St. Patricks Day, Mrs. Lamb played Irish songs on her accordion, which were also greatly enjoyed. Games and refreshments for the social hour big-heart- ed respect and dignity, she explains. Instead of feeling like, whats the use?, we should all Caring people ask ourselves, What do I have to Some people responsible for meeting the total needs of residents at Kane County Hospitals nursing home are from left: Bill Canning, Bonnie Choate, offer the elderly? Terri Rice, and Brenda Martinet. Photo by Jeanette Rusk. he that admits who Canning, is a certified instructor of the Bob lege credit available from Mohave Community College, Jon Isom will be doing a dem- onstration of what will be cov-ered in the class on Friday, April 16 for those who would like to watch. If you are interested please contact Julie Taylor for information and registration forms, Barton, Marilee, Marissa, Brady McKette ofOrangeville, Burton, Mary Ann, Krysta, Amber, Lara, Jennifer and Amelia of Moapa! Nevada, Kenneth and Deeona and Angelie Cox, Jeanna and Kelsey Loveland of La Verkin, DeMar and Edith Smart of Magna visited at the Allan Cox home on Monday. The couples were together in study class at the Missionary Training Center in April of 1988. Kylee Esplin was home from school in Provo for the weekend at the Gam Esplins. Lori Esplin from Cedar, Jeneal Esplin of St. George, Cline and Cami Esplin of Cedar spent the weekendatthe Cleve Esplinhome. Tim and J eanette Esplin drove to Provo on Saturday where Jeanette received her wood badge in scouting, Jolene Smith and baby of dar spent the weekend with her parents Clark and Florene Lamb. Wayne and Jo Sorensen and Eddie of Mesquite were visitors withMargaretSorensenlastweek . Leeds, Zola Jolley of St. George visited at the Rex Crofts home on Saturday and attended the birth- day party for the Alan Coxes. the Allen Cox home were, J ustin and Cary J ohnson, Glenn and Joyce Johnson, RDell Johnson of Ogden, Dean and Michael Cox ofWest Valley City, |