Greetings from “The Home” front …

I am hoping as you read this column that our residents will be out and about – we had all negative test results from our Monday COVID testing. Everyone gets tested again on Thursday. Some of the residents that were in our COVID ward have returned to their rooms and are feeling better – for that we are thankful. Please keep everyone here at LMH in your prayers.

The activity department keeps everyone busy and entertained by going room to room with activities, magazines, puzzles, books and FOOD! The coffee cart goes around every morning bringing coffee, juice, cocoa and treats. On Monday, the staff made pumpkin muffins and brought each resident a special treat. Another ”in-room” activity that everyone seems to enjoy is an I Spy Detective game which we also played on Monday. Residents were able to join Nancy playing the piano for Rhythm Band on Tuesday and we also came to Newscurrents which Andrea read live and over the TV just like Peter Jennings or David Muir! We had Name that Tune on Wednesday morning and then Nancy and Molly helped each resident make a Halloween card that they can mail to a loved one. Pastor Deb provided Bible Study on Thursday morning. In the afternoon there were special treats for everyone to celebrate Halloween along with a haunted activity room tour, costumes, and festive games. Pastor Deb was back to lead a church service on Friday and the ladies got their nails done. We purchased some pretty orange polish just in time for Halloween.

Next week is looking like it will be back to a more normal schedule. There will be Rhythm Band and other musical activities such as Name That Tune and Choir, we will have crafts on Wednesday with the residents making a circle, square & triangle scarecrow – this activity can be done as a group in the activity room or individually in a resident’s room depending on our COVID status at that time. Pastor Deb will be here for Church and we will have Newscurrents to keep everyone up to date on the latest news. The coffee cart will go around every morning as we try to keep everything as normal as possible. During these ever-changing times, everyone is used to being flexible.

One thing for certain is that we have three resident birthdays coming up soon – Bonnie Jacobson on November 2, Marion Knudson on November 7, and Robert Robinson on November 8. Only two staff members with birthdays next week – Carlee Ellingson on November 1st and Sophie Kloster on November 6th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day!

Until next time … a thought for the week thanks to Desmond Tutu … Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness …