Orchard Rehabilitation honors moms, celebrates Skilled Nursing Care Week

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Marguerite Sherman, mayor of Medina, reads a proclamation on Mothers’ Day at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week. (Center) Jamie Murphy, activities director at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Medina, chats with resident Kenny Draper, who reminisced about celebrating Mothers’ Day when his wife was alive. (Right) Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility honored mothers on Sunday with coffee and donuts. Clockwise from left front are activities aide Laurie Seager, activities director Jamie Murphy, and activities aides Melissa Gates and Tyesha Robinson.

MEDINA – Marguerite Sherman, the mayor of Medina, paid a visit to Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility on Mothers’ Day to read a proclamation proclaiming May 12 to 18 as National Skilled Nursing Care Week.

“I am so happy to have Orchard Manor here,” Sherman told the residents, before reading the proclamation.

The week’s theme this year, “Radiant Memorials: A Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio,” celebrates the rich tapestry of stories and experiences of those who reside and work within skilled nursing care centers, recalling an era cherished by many community elders, the proclamation states.

Sherman continued to read, “Skilled nursing care providers play a pivotal role in delivering compassionate care to America’s elderly and individuals with disabilities. This week serves as a testament to the essential role that skilled nursing care plays in our communities and in the lives of many individuals and their families.”

In celebration of Mothers’ Day, the facility served coffee and donuts to all residents and their visitors.

Resident Kenny Draper, 88, made sure to wish activities director Jamie Murphy a happy Mother’s Day. He said it wasn’t the same without his wife and he was missing her, but he thanked God for all the nurses.

“I’m still alive because of all of them,” he said.

Sherman and Murphy took the opportunity to talk about their memories of the facility.

Sherman recalled when Lois Hilger was activities director and her daughter and Sherman used to come in and play their flutes for the residents, while Hilger accompanied them on the piano. They were 12 years old, Sherman said.

Murphy announced she would retire from her position on June 14.

“I’ve been here almost 35 years, and it went so fast,” Murphy said. “Tom Morien hired me. There have been a lot of changes through the years.”

Murphy said in honor of National Skilled Nursing Care Week she solicited downtown businesses, who very generously donated gifts, which Murphy will give to staff. Events during the week include a coffee truck for staff today (Monday), and lunch on the grill.

Each day has a special theme. Today is “Rock Your Favorite T-shirt Day; Tuesday will be “Beach Day;” Wednesday is Resident and Staff Twin Day (a day to pair up and dress alike) and “Random Act of Kindness Day; Thursday will be Country Western Day with an ice cream social for residents and staff; and Friday will conclude the special activities with “Embrace Your Favorite Decade.”

Each day of the week will also feature different entertainment activities, beginning with karaoke on today, Magician Patrick Holman on Tuesday, bingo on Wednesday, the ice cream social on Thursday, music by Brian Beaudry on Friday and entertainment by the Hot Country Liners Dance Team on Saturday.