City, county officials declare May 12-18 Skilled Nursing Care Week
May 7—Pulaski will celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week next week, but a group of nursing home aids and residents got a jump start Tuesday by holding a party to celebrate.
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd, and former Somerset Police Chief William Hunt — standing in for Mayor Alan Keck — signed a proclamation in honor of all local nursing home facilities.
The signing took place at Somerset Nursing and Rehab, with staff and residents from Somerwoods Nursing and Rehab and Cumberland Nursing and Rehab in attendance.
The proclamation read in part: "We urge all members of this community to join in this year's observance by visiting our town's nursing home residents and by recognizing the high quality of care that our long-term care facilities are providing."
Skilled Nursing Care Week begins on Mothers Day, which seemed fitting to Rita Brown, administrator for Somerset Nursing and Rehab.
"I'm sure it's this way in all buildings, but this is our family," she said
She said that she may not have her own grandparents or mother any longer, but she the people she helps care for are now like her grandparents and parents. "We all feel the love that these people give."
Judge Todd said that the county is happy to celebrate the achievements of Pulaski's golden-aged citizens. "They've had a lot of experiences and we could learn from them, just listening to their stories. ... They always like to interact and have a social life, and anything we can do to brighten it up for them we're always happy to do it."
Hunt added that his mother had spent time within Somerset Nursing and Rehab. "It's a very important job they have here. ... Caring for these folks and ensuring they have quality of life, there's nothing much more important than that. They do a great job here."
The festivities began with a prayer from Pastor Pastor Steven Marjerison with of the Science Hill Church of the Nazarene.
"We offer heartfelt gratitude for the residents whose stories enrich this place, and the healthcare heroes who dedicate their lives, knowing no bounds," he said.
Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com
