This already happened, but what a great thing.

On November 11, Erwin Health Cane Center will join hundreds of facilities across the Volunteer State to sing the praises of nursing home caregivers. Proclaimed “Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day in Tennessee” by Gov. Phil Bredesen, it is a day to say thank you to those who dedicate their lives to caring for the elderly and disabled, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

“Long-term care professionals put their energy, efforts, and hearts into providing patients with the highest quality of care, and that kind of care does not come easy,” said Janet Givens Jones, administrator of the facility. “Two of the most important words in the English language are “thank you”. It’s a lot of hard work, and they truly deserve this special day of recognition.”

A nursing home is an active and efficient medical facility designed to provide 24¬hour nursing care for those incapable of functioning due to a chronic illness, disabling injury or the need for short term care. It is also a place where patients can go on with their lives while under the secure and capable watch of a team of trained caregivers, who understand that patients have not only physical needs but also mental, social, emotional and spiritual needs. “ Our team works together to assess patient needs and create individualized care plans aimed at emphasizing patients’ abilities rather than their disabilities,” said Jones.

Erwin Health Care Center has 125 employees and 70 contracted support staff, including nurses, certified nursing assistants, dietitians, therapists, physicians, activity directors, social workers, housekeepers, maintenance workers and cooks. Offering an array of skills and specialties, they work together, along with numerous volunteers, to provide the best quality of care for their patients.

From staying abreast of new trends and regulations to continually updating their skills, nursing home caregivers work hard to see that high standards are met and to achieve their number one goal of restoring each patient to his or her highest possible level of functioning

“Trained and experienced caregivers understand our patients are the lifeblood of every nursing home,” said Jones. “They are compassionate, giving people, and it’s not uncommon to see them work extra shifts or pitch in to see that special needs are met. We can’t thank them enough for what they do,”

Care giving is not just a job, it’s a labor of love, explained Brandy Whaley, LPN, at Erwin Health Care Center, “I chase long-term care as any career because I had a desire to help others,” she said. “Yes, it’s challenging, but at the end of each day, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I was able to make a real difference in people’s lives. I began my long-term care career at Erwin Health Care Center as a Certified Nursing Assistant and was fortunate to receive a full scholarship from the facility to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. I believe it is my mission in life to care for others,” stated Whaley.

Staff at Erwin Health Care Center has provided a valuable service to their community.

Over the past year, the staff at Erwin Health Care Center has accomplished the following: Cared for 198 patients; Comforted over 2,000 family members and friends; Enabled 25 patients to return home Provided 262,074 nutritious meals; Trained 133 Certified Nurse Assistants for the community; Awarded 4 full Licensed Practical Nurse scholarships; Donated enough blood to save 264 lives; Hosted over 1,500 people at our annual “One-Safe-Stop” Trick-or-Treating; Walked in “Relay for Life” and raised over $11,000 for the American Cancer Society; Participated in the Alzheimer’s Disease Memory Walk and raised over $5,000; Raised over $3,000 for United Way Involved over 30 churches and 350+ volunteers in the spiritual and emotional growth of our patients; Voted, raised families, attended area churches, taught Sunday school classes, scout troop leaders, PTA/PTO members, coaches for little league and YMCA, and good neighbors.