As the holiday season quickly approaches, garland and tinsel temporarily adorning most homes, you may feel more cheerful than you have all year. We often gather with family and friends, eating, chatting, reminiscing of the past, and what our future entails. Spreading love, kindness, and cheer by giving gifts or making holiday cookies. However, there are some, specifically older adults, that have a more difficult time getting into the holiday spirit.
For many seniors, the holiday season may have a new meaning. Instead of setting out cookies and milk for Santa, or traveling to long-distance relative’s homes, the absence of these traditions may leave the holiday season seeming like a thing of the past.
Some factors that may contribute to holiday depression among the elderly include:
- Absence of parents, siblings, friends, and children (feeling alone)
- Separation from loved ones
- Financial limitations
- Loss of independence
- Loss of mobility
- Failing eyesight (lessening the ability to read/write holiday correspondence)
- Medical diagnosis
These changes may result in feeling subdued or sad, which is a normal reaction to facing change and generally temporary, the person eventually returning to their normal mood state, but a case of long-term blues is not a natural part of aging. When these feelings begin interfering with functioning in everyday life, it is considered depression.
Doug Gregory, the Bereavement Coordinator for Sprenger Health Care’s WellSpring Hospice says, “The American Association of Geriatrics Psychiatry, (AAGP) indicates that over 30% of nursing home residents may experience depression which can be exasperated during the holidays due to several factors. Caregivers and facility staff should be aware of changes in behavior and mood with residents.”
Some signs of depression in older individuals may include:
- Questioning the value of life
- Diminished self-esteem
- Excessive feelings of guilt
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy/lack of energy
- Persistent sadness
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Unusual fidgeting
- Staring off into space (or at the television) for prolonged periods of time
Depression is a medical illness that should be diagnosed and treated by trained professionals. Left untreated, depression may last months or even years.
Gregory also offered a handful of tips in dealing with seasonal depression, saying, “Some preventative measures to consider are: referrals for counseling and psychiatry, bringing in service animals, children’s choirs, and other special activities during high-risk seasons, collecting old holiday cards and decorations to hang on resident’s doors and in their rooms, encouraging family members to purchase scenic window film coverings for the resident’s room, and simply taking time to just sit or talk with these residents. It is essential to differentiate between normal sadness and clinical depression, which requires treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling, professional support can make a significant difference.”
Other things that may help a person with a case of the holiday blues:
- Find ways to include elderly family members/friends in holiday preparation.
- Help with specific tasks.
- Help wrap holiday gifts
- Create crafts to decorate with or give as a gift
- Create or have them walk you through a favorite holiday recipe
- Help fill out and send holiday cards
- If you can’t visit, call.
- Stay busy.
- Facility activities and events
- Make new traditions.
Depression may go past just during the holiday season. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and goes away during the spring and summer. A sad mood is linked to lack of sunlight during the winter months due to shorter days.
It is important to note that depressive and suicidal thoughts or actions should never be ignored. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, please take action by calling your doctor, 911, visiting the nearest emergency room, or contacting nursing or therapy staff.
Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you.
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton Received a Deficiency-Free RatingSprenger Health Care Bluffton received a 100% deficiency-free rating on their state survey, conducted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on Friday, November 1, 2024.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) annually reviews Skilled Nursing Facilities to ensure that the health and safety conditions focusing their analysis on the residing resident’s safety, security, sanitary, and overall maintenance. To receive a 100% deficiency-free review by the DHEC notes that the facility met the highest possible standards of satisfactory living. Sprenger Health Care Bluffton also received a deficiency-free rating for their Residential Care Facility survey in April of 2024.
Dennis Maddox, Ph.D., MCG, a local professor of Anatomy and Physiology and short-term resident of Sprenger Health Care Bluffton stated, “Being here felt like being at home. Everyone was so nice and sweet in such an amazing way. I am sad to leave, but happy to know I will be home for my birthday and for the holidays.” Mr. Maddox stayed with Sprenger Health Care Bluffton for 6 weeks as he worked through an illness with the nursing and therapy teams, maintaining an end-goal of getting back home and to work.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s dedication to excellence and quality care, which has been affirmed by our recent deficiency-free survey from DHEC. This achievement reflects the hard work, professionalism, and commitment of every team member to uphold the highest standards in patient care and compliance. Thank you to everyone for making this accomplishment possible and for continually going above and beyond to create a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for our patients and families.”
Dwight Green, the Executive Director at Sprenger Health Care Bluffton
About Sprenger Health Care Bluffton
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton is a 105-bed Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing Facility, and Assisted Living, offering services such as memory care, in-house therapy for short-term rehabilitation, daily activities, served dining, and a VA contract. They also offer Respite Care for those in need. Residents have access to state-of-the-art amenities, such as a 3000+ square foot therapy gym, 65 private rooms in the Skilled Nursing wing, 45 private suites in the Assisted Living wing, a bar that offers a daily happy hour, a 24/7 Chapel, and much more.
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of seniors at different stages of life and health, aiming to create a supportive and caring environment that prioritizes residents’ health, safety, and well-being. The facility provides personalized care, including therapy services, social activities, and wellness programs tailored to enhance residents’ quality of life.
About Sprenger Health Care
From a small family-owned nursing facility to an expansive enterprise employing 2,000 professionals, Sprenger Health Care is actively growing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of the communities they serve. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Sprenger’s third generation is building a legacy while maintaining the same philosophy of personalized care initially established by Grace Sprenger in 1959.
Sprenger Health Care is a leading developer, owner, and operator of senior living communities and services in Ohio and South Carolina. Through their 12-nursing home, 10 assisted living, and 8 independent living communities, they provide exceptional health care services, including; long-term nursing care, assisted and independent living, memory care, hospice, respite care, and short-term post-acute rehabilitation.
Click here to view all Sprenger Health Care locations.
What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?This week is National Nurse Practitioner’s Week, observed from November 10th to 17th, 2024, and the question ‘What does a nurse practitioner do?’ is often asked. So, what better time than now to answer this!
The most commonly known healthcare roles are nurses, doctors, and therapists, but there are so many more crucial clinical and non-clinical roles that lean into the broad scope of healthcare. This week though, we want to highlight the role of our nurse practitioners! Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training who provide patient care and can perform many of the same duties as a doctor, while also working in collaboration with physicians and other members of a healthcare team.
Nurse practitioners have completed a specified graduate degree that requires extensive classroom education along with specialized clinical experience, and who also must pass a national certification exam. They use their advanced clinical experience to diagnose and treat health conditions, focus on disease prevention, and promote healthy lifestyles, sharing many of the same responsibilities as doctors, though nurse practitioners train and provide care using the nursing model. This means that they provide patient centered care, rather than focusing on a specific type of medicine as physicians and physician assistants do. Many nurse practitioners begin their careers in healthcare as nursing assistants, LVN/LPNs, and RNs, gaining hands-on experience while they work on their advanced degrees.
Using the practice of the nursing model, nurse practitioners can specialize in a variety of areas that correspond to a specific population. Nurse practitioners that work within a care facility setting often specialize in a few areas, including adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP), geriatric nurse practitioner (GNP), family nurse practitioner (FNP), and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
An adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in the healthcare needs of adults throughout their lifespan, treating patients spanning from young-adulthood to seniors. They are trained to address physical, mental, and social effects of aging.
A geriatric nurse practitioner (GNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in providing care for older patients, ranging from their 60s to their 90s and beyond. They often treat patients who experience incontinence, dehydration, falls, physiological dysfunctions, and other conditions related to aging.
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice nurse who offers care, promotes health, and treats disease in clients ranging from adolescents to seniors. They provide comprehensive wellness care, as well as the management of acute and chronic illnesses.
A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who diagnoses and treats mental health needs and substance abuse issues, while also providing mental health services to clients and families. They often provide psychotherapy, implement behavioral interventions, and educate patients, families, and communities about mental health.
Nurse practitioners provide a full range of health care services, like performing physical examinations, ordering diagnostic tests like laboratory tests or X-rays, analyzing these test results, diagnosing health conditions, prescribing medication, and writing referrals.
National Nurse Practitioners Week is an annual celebration of nurse practitioners and their contribution to health care. They are a crucial part of health care organizations and client care, and often dedicate their expertise, compassion, and care to improving the health and well-being of their clients. Their tireless commitment to providing high-quality, personalized healthcare makes a profound difference every day, whether that’s diagnosing, educating, or simply offering a comforting presence, their work is invaluable.
Here at Sprenger Health Care, we are grateful for our nurse practitioner’s knowledge, skill, and unwavering dedication to enhancing lives every day. Their compassion and professionalism are truly appreciated – thank you for everything you do!
WellSpring Home Care and HospiceAs each month commences with a theme of national recognition, Sprenger Health Care would like to elaborate on November’s topic of National Home Care and Hospice Month by featuring its own, WellSpring.
WellSpring Home Health & Hospice provide patient-focused and family-centered care to ensure patient-centered, personalized treatment(s) are offered at the highest level possible.
Home health care, just as it sounds, is care that is provided in the home to anyone who may need it, like in instances of limited mobility or education of newly prescribed medication regimens, but also specifically for those who suffer from chronic illnesses, following surgery, or are recovering from acute injury or illness and prefer to remain at home with skilled care. WellSpring’s experienced medical team of Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, Social Workers, and therapy professionals provide in-home care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Home Health is tailored to each individual’s medical needs and is for adults of any age.
WellSpring Home Health Care is a skilled, Medicare certified and accredited home health care agency dedicated to providing quality, compassionate care to patients and is readily accessible, as the team of skilled professionals visit the home, apartment, independent living, or assisted living apartment. Wherever is called home.
Hospice care, while it is care that can be provided in a person’s residence or in-facility, it is care designated for those with a life-limiting condition. Hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and peace of mind for those dealing with a condition that may no longer offer a cure. Hospice is not about giving up hope, but rather offering a quality of life that outweighs quantity of days. It is about carrying out an individual’s wishes as their trajectory of illness progresses, while managing pain and symptoms, and providing comfort. It is about maximizing a patient’s time with loved ones, and providing emotional, spiritual, and social support to patients and their families. Like home health care, hospice care is a benefit of Medicare and most private insurers. WellSpring Hospice is a Medicare certified and accredited agency, which includes one-on-one attention and quality care with frequent interdisciplinary visits and offers on call services that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
WellSpring Hospice works with your Primary Care Physician alongside our Hospice Medical Directors, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Hospice Aides, Social Workers, Spiritual Care Coordinators, Volunteers, and Bereavement Coordinators to provide a holistic care approach that is patient and family centered.
WellSpring Home Health and Hospice offer services in the following Ohio counties: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Sandusky, Stark, Summit, and Wayne.
Contact
WellSpring Home Health
3905 Oberlin Ave, Lorain, OH, 44053
Main Office / 24hr: 1-888-4WELL4U (493-5548)
WellSpring Hospice Care
3905 Oberlin Ave, Lorain, OH, 44053
Main Office / 24hr: 330-486-6092
HospiceReferrals@wellspringcaring.com
This past week, a handful of our Sprenger Health Care facilities hosted a community wide Trick-or-Treat. While no tricks were found, there were plenty of treats and even some animals!
Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation had a special visit from Outback Ray, who brought a hoard of friends with him – SpongeBob the albino python, Mater the tortoise, Snowball the mosaic chinchilla, Ruby the albino milksnake, Ziggy the blue-tongued skink, and Zombie the hairless guinea pig. Many of which seemed to find the top of people’s heads the most comfortable spot to rest.
Village of the Falls hosted their annual Trunk-or-Treat, which was open to the public. The community of Olmsted Falls showed up to enjoy an apple making station and took time to peruse the spookily-decorated trunks! That was, until a scary T-Rex (also known as Snowball, the dog) showed up Jurassic Park-style!
Amherst Manor also joined in on the Trunk-or-Treat fun, where the community of Amherst showed up with over 150 attendees – that’s a lot of candy! The line for the decorated Trunks wrapped around the front of the main building, making it one of the facility’s biggest events! Superman even made sure to stop by for some treats.
Autumn Aegis’ halls were filled with candy, laughter, and lots of Trick-or-Treaters! The residents had the times of their lives as their families joined them to pass out candy to the little ones.
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton hosted a spooky trick-or-treat for residents, families, and their whole community! They had a wide array of events, including a coloring contest, slime-making, a scavenger hunt, and they played the movie ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ as candy was being collected. They also had some delicious Halloween cupcakes and candied apples!
Candy and costumes are often the center focus of celebrating Halloween, but these Sprenger Health Care facilities made it their goal to ensure each, and every resident had the opportunity to mingle with their beloved community — by passing out or receiving candy, dressing up, painting pumpkins, decorating and perusing trunks, and visiting with staff, friends, and families. That is the true spirit of Halloween!
Our resident at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation, Robert Patterson a Navy Veteran, received a wish come true through WellSpring Hospice….
Upon a visit with Wellspring Hospice employee, Rebecca Agnew, Patterson said, “I wish I could see 100 motorcycles in this parking lot.” Agnew knew this was a hefty goal, but made it her mission to honor this veteran’s last wishes. And honor it she did!
A quick call to Chris Swogger at the Warrior 2 Warrior Ministry made all the difference! A phone and social media chain with over 3k shares spread within 48 hours grabbing the attention of not only the Warriors membership, but the American Legion Riders-Kent Post 496, the Rolling Thunders, and many other veterans bike groups.
Over 500 individuals-mostly veterans, met at Rose Lane for the ride and to honor Patterson. Prior to the bike parade, the patriotic group led with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and sang a quick Happy Birthday to Patterson who turned 85 a couple days later!
But then they took it a step farther! Why just have Patterson watch the bikes, they decided, let’s have him lead the group instead!
And so he did! With a special police escort thanks to Lieutenant Collins and Officers from the Jackson Police Department, Patterson rode side car on a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster that led 215 additional bikes with a few jeeps thrown in for good measure! He was surprised to see his route lined with flags by Operation Flags of Freedom and many cheering bystanders.
After the parade was over, Patterson was treated to a reception that included his family and all his new biker veteran “friends”. Many, that had traveled a great distance-including one veteran who had flown in from Texas-a stranger to Patterson, to honor him.
The kindness and goodwill of many individuals put a smile on this veteran’s face that will never be forgotten!
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton Named 2022 Silver Award Winner for “Best Nursing Home”
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton has been named the 2022 Silver Award Winner for “Best Nursing Home” by in The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette.
Members of the community voted for Sprenger Health Care Bluffton online as part of the publications’
2022 Lowcountry’s Best Competition. The annual competition relies on the support of the community to
cast their votes in order to highlight the very best of area businesses across multiple industries.
Sprenger Health Care Bluffton is proud to be selected by the community and looks forward to continuing
helping community members stay active, be social and “live their best life” through its skilled nursing,
long-term care, respite care, assisted living, memory care and rehabilitation services.
For information about the facility, please contact our Sprenger Bluffton Admissions Team at (843) 548-
2500.
Sprenger Healthcare’s Smithville Western campus is excited to announce the addition of NxStage Hemodialysis directly at our facility – without having to be transported to an off-site location.
Residents can benefit from on-site hemodialysis 4-5 days per week vs. the conventional 3 days per week in-center. This means shorter treatments, no need for transportation, and more time for rehabilitation and socialization. Treatments are performed in as little as 2-3 hours, per session, in our exclusive den. More frequent hemodialysis treatment reduces the amount of time there is for fluid and toxins to build-up between treatments, resulting in an overall healthier, happier resident.
Since frequent hemodialysis mimics how healthy kidneys function, residents typically experience the following health benefits after treatment:
- Increased energy and vitality
- Improved appetite
- Fewer cardiac-related hospitalizations
- A decrease in the number of medications taken
- A reduction in the amount of stress placed on the heart
- Improved survival
It is not every day a couple celebrates 65 years of marriage, but at Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge a couple got to celebrate theirs. Howie and Marge Walch celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 11th, 2020 at Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge. The couple met at Howie’s cousin’s wedding, while they were both dating other people. Howie and Marge dated for two years before getting married on June 11th, 1955, and went on to have three children and nine grandchildren. 500 of their friends and family were in attendance at their wedding in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The couple had plans to celebrate this milestone with their family at Olive Garden, their favorite restaurant but due to the global pandemic, those plans had to change. The Anchor Lodge staff decided they needed to make the day special for the Walch’s. There was sparkling cider, cake, a toast, and the presentation of a wall canvas the staff made to honor 65 years of love. Tears were shed as the couple sang their wedding song, My Happiness by Connie Francis to one another and their daughter surprised them and joined the celebration of her parents’ love through the facility window. When asked what makes a marriage last Howie responded “A good woman.” The 65th wedding anniversary is represented by the blue sapphire which symbolizes wisdom, virtue, and holiness. It is not every day you get to be a part of a celebration so special and filled with love, but the Anchor Lodge staff was able to make the couple feel as special as possible on this monumental day.
Sprenger Health Care Autumn Aegis Nursing Home, Sprenger Health Care Health Knoll, and Sprenger Health Care Massillon were recently recognized as four star facilities. This is a very distinguished honor and we are proud of the level of care Autumn Aegis, Heather Knoll and Massillon have shown its residents. Sprenger Health Care Autumn Aegis, Heather Knoll, and Massillon are award-winning retirement communities with a dedicated team committed to offering the highest quality of care to residents.
We want all of our residents to experience the high-quality care we strive for in all of our facilities. This is a standard we at Sprenger Healthcare want each and every one of our facility to achieve. Sprenger Health Care Massillon offers skilled nursing and assisted living within a personal, home-like setting. Our friendly team will treat you and your loved ones as family, giving you the care and dignity you deserve. Sprenger Health Care Heather Knoll Nursing and Rehabilitation in Tallmadge, Ohio offers a serene environment and a lodge-like setting. Residents and guests appreciate its modern amenities and private rooms in the designated rehabilitation wing. Sprenger Health Care Autumn Aegis in Lorain is an award-winning retirement community with a dedicated team committed to offering the highest quality of care to residents. The campus offers skilled nursing and senior apartment living options with an emphasis on the reclaim Excellence in Amputee Care Program.