Shelton Health Center Celebrates National Skilled Nursing Care Week

Information via United Methodist Homes

SHELTON, CT — Residents and team members of Bishop Wicke Health Center in Shelton gathered for a weeklong celebration of National Skilled Nursing Care Week, held May 14 -20.

According to a news release provided by United Methodist Homes, the event was established by the American Health Care Association in 1967. It recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for elders in the community.

NSNCW 2023 focused on "cultivating kindness," with inspiration from the many acts of kindness that happen in skilled nursing care centers every day.

"At Bishop Wicke Health Center, we see relationships as a foundational element of well-being and this involves a sense of connection, acceptance, inclusion, communication and especially, kindness," Administrator Debra Samorajczyk said in a news release. "The 'cultivating kindness' theme really connected with our team, as this relationship-centered focus is at the core of what we do each day. The celebrations were fun and memorable for residents and staff alike."

Throughout the week, Bishop Wicke staff, residents, patients, families and members of the local community came together to participate in activities that cultivate and spread kindness. A kindness rock garden was created in the facility's front courtyard and opportunities to personalize a "kindness rock" were offered throughout the week to all guests and members of the community.

A spring renewal event featuring a tree planting dedication, offered words of inspiration and encouragement and a reminder of everyone's unique value and purpose. A kindness scavenger hunt was ongoing, along with daily activities to celebrate all who live and work in the facility, such as a resident and staff paint class, gardening, meditation sessions, various theme days, individual recognition and staff appreciation.

The focus on recognition and appreciation was central to the week.

"Each day, a special proclamation was read and presented by a Bishop Wicke resident, honoring all residents and recognizing the dedicated staff and the many departments that support the community," Bishop Wicke Dining Services Manager Dawn Supranovich said in a news release. "It was very meaningful for both our residents and teams to be part of these daily proclamations."

Along with the proclamations, family members were also invited to share notes of appreciation and thanks to Bishop Wicke team members and all members of the community were encouraged to share words of kindness on the community's kindness board.

Bishop Wicke is part of the Wesley Village senior living campus and has a long history of five-star relationship-centered care, staff longevity and overall excellence. The facility is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local mission-based organization with a nearly 150-year history of caring in and around the Shelton area.

More information is available here.