As long term and post-acute care professionals are about to celebrate National Nursing Home Week, May 8 to 14, 2016, and May is Older Americans Month, this is an excellent time for everyone to reflect on their role and how best to contribute to improving the lives of residents, patients and clients, as well as improving both the skills of the professional and the public perception of the profession.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA), which established the special week in 1967, has chosen this year’s theme, It’s a Small World, with a Big Heart to commemorate a historical time for older adults:

• Today’s residents will remember the New York World’s Fair of the 1960s and two songs popular in that era: Disney’s It’s a Small World After All and the New Seekers’ I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, a sentiment shared by all.
• With a Big Heart symbolizes staff and families embracing the resident or patient with individualized care, social interaction, and a compassionate heart. Be a friend too! Like the Nursing Home Week Facebook page and be sure to visit the home page here.

Join with others in the profession to recognize National Nursing Home Week. It’ll be fun! Let the community see that skilled nursing care centers indeed are operating in the fast lane of health care, yet at the pace of older adults and other vulnerable individuals.