When some residents had no gifts to unwrap one Christmas morning, the staff of Princeton Health Care Center decided to do something about it.
PHCC launched the annual Adopt-a-Resident program in 2019 — going beyond the facility’s usual family gift-giving tradition and asking the local community to pitch in with donations for residents so that all of them could be included.
The results have been beyond expectations.
“This program was started to make sure that everyone gets something for Christmas,” explained Emily Mounts, director of social services at PHCC. “It’s kind of expanded into that they get a lot for Christmas.”
Since its launch, the Adopt-a-Resident program has picked up steam in the 120-bed facility’s Princeton, West Virginia community. Churches, schools, Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups, and local radio stations have all contributed to make sure Christmas is a big deal at PHCC.
Gifts rolling in include everything from candy and snacks, to clothes, activity books, room decorations, warm clothes and blankets, magazines, scented lotions and jewelry.
Residents will open their gifts at this year’s Christmas party — always PHCC’s biggest event of the year, according to Mounts.
“This is a very great time for us. We really love the resident Christmas party — we talk about it all year long. We try to set aside a date well ahead of schedule and put that out in our newsletter to families so they can save the date too,” said Mounts.
“We put a lot of effort into making sure this is something memorable for them.”
Residents can expect to have presents delivered by Santa, whose arrival will be announced via loudspeaker.
Christmas may not come to an end on the 25th, either. The program has grown so much that the community’s generosity spills over into helping residents throughout the coming year.
According to Mounts, any leftover gifts and monetary donations are held onto and used for residents who need help with quality-of-life issues like repairing damaged glasses or for newly admitted residents who might not have all the warm clothes and comfort items they need.
As they gear up for this year’s Christmas party, it’s a special time for staff and residents at PHCC. Mounts is confident that this year’s celebration will be another success.
“This is something that’s very special to [our residents], and that’s our main focus — making sure that they have a great Christmas,” Mounts said. “And with all the support that we’re getting, I’m 100% sure that they will.”
For more stories of nursing homes embracing the holiday spirit, see McKnight’s coverage of a facility’s special Veterans’ Day ceremony.
