GOOD NEWS

Nursing Home gears up to celebrate Halloween with the community

When the moon is full, the wind is crisp and Halloween is just around the corner, the thoughts of most children turn to costumes, candy and general mayhem. But in Loudon, Tenn., children begin to dwell on the festivities at Loudon Health Care Center.

For at least five years, the nursing home has invited local families to come trick-or-treating within the facility. At least 250 youngsters turned out last year to snag bags of candy from the patients, many of whom dress up in costumes of their own.

“Last year, we had so many people we had to run out and get more candy because we ran out,” said Michael Troglen, administrator at the East Tennessee facility.

This year will be more of the same, he said. Patients are currently helping to prepare the candy bags and decorate both inside and outside the building, preparing for the Halloween night event that has become a tradition in the community.

“Many of the parents say this is the only place they will go (on Halloween),” Troglen said. “Nowadays, with so much fear about being out, they look at this as a safe alternative. Plus they can cover a lot of area in a short amount of time.”

And the event benefits the nursing home as well, introducing young people and other potential volunteers to the positive environment in the nursing home.

“It lets them know we are a part of the community. We are not only here to provide health care but we are also a resource,” Troglen said. “That’s how we want to be considered.”

That’s that kind of attitude that won Loudon Health Care Center the Tennessee Health Care Association’s 2001 Community Involvement Award last month. The award is one of nine statewide Awards of Excellence the association hands out each year.

Besides Halloween, Loudon Health Care celebrates practically every holiday with a bash, hosting an Easter egg hunt, creating a float for the local Christmas parade and holding a Valentine’s Ball. The community at-large is always invited to such events and attendance is strong.

“Good News” is a feature designed to spotlight some of the many positive aspects of long-term care in Tennessee. Know of a “good news”  item? Contact THCA’s Communications Department at info@thca.org.