Penacook Place residents enjoy special festivities during National Nursing Home Week

     HAVERHILL –Penacook Place residents and their families, as well as staff members, shared in a number of special events during National Nursing Home Week, which took place May 13-19.

    “Treasure Our Elders” was the theme chosen this year by the American Health Care Association, which sponsors National Nursing Home Week. Penacook staff members and managers who planned the schedule of events decided that the facility should take on the atmosphere of a cruise ship for the week. Each day, residents visited a different port of call, and participated in activities as if they were guests on a cruise ship.

    On Monday, they kicked off the week with a bon voyage toast, fun and fitness classes, massages, manicures, a lifeboat drill and golf putting. Staff members also participated in a scavenger hunt. They received assistance from residents, who helped them find items. One item each employee in the scavenger hunt had to find was a resident’s dream. They were collecting dreams for Penacook’s nationally recognized Tree of Dreams program. The Tree of Dreams program gives Penacook residents the opportunity to have their wishes come true. Residents are encouraged to explore their dreams and create wish lists.

    Other events residents’ enjoyed included a Spanish dancing class, a video tour of the Mexican Riviera, Jazzercize, a Welcome to Hawaii party and a Hula Hoop contest.
Located at 150 Water St., the 160-bed Penacook Place is the only not-for-profit nursing and rehabilitation facility serving the city of Haverhill. Penacook Place has a professional staff of 230 employees. Contributions that support the purchase of new equipment, renovations and resident activities can be made to the Friends of Penacook Fund, c/o Penacook Place, 150 Water St., Haverhill, MA, 01830.