For nursing home residents, the last few months navigating the COVID-19 pandemic have proven to be trying times. Following strict government guidelines to protect residents and team members, we enacted a “No Visitation Policy” in early March. Sadly, this means that many residents are no longer able to enjoy their much-anticipated in person visits with friends and family, which is crucial for their emotional and mental health.
But as necessary as enacting the policy was (and continues to be), our residents still need to feel loved. Enter the Texas Health Care Association’s “Adopt a Nursing Home” initiative.
The state-wide program, which empowers local communities to write words of encouragement to those living and working in long-term and skilled nursing facilities, is an effort to help lift spirits and express support for our residents and team members alike.
And for the residents of Bandera Nursing & Rehabilitation, the letters from Texans come at the perfect time. With residents missing their family members and Touchstone team members working long hours, these tokens of goodwill from community members is exactly what they needed.
“When we received our letters, our residents immediately perked up,” said Bandera Administrator Rita Adams. “These words of encouragement from our community, and in most instances from strangers who have no connection to our residents, really means so much to us. To know they’re thinking of us and that they took the time to reach out shows their true generosity and the will of Texans to look out for other Texans.”
Those who want to participate must register online. The portal identifies more than a thousand facilities statewide. After making contact with management, items like letters, emails, artwork, crafts, and even some games can be sent.
The campaign is ongoing and you can still participate, but you must register online first. If you’d like to send letters, emails, arts, crafts or other items to one of Touchstone’s facilities, visit: www.adoptanursinghome.com.
