The staff at Burns Nursing & Rehab in Russellville strives each and every day to make sure their residents have access to things like quality activities, interactive programs and the best care they can receive. People who do not visit their facility on a regular basis might not realize all the different aspects of resident life that are available at Burns, but there is one week each year when the community, as well as friends and family of the residents, are invited to come by and see what it means to be a resident of Burns Nursing & Rehab.

The facility held special events during the week of May 14-20 in honor of National Nursing Home Week. The event, established by the American Health Care Association in 1967, is something Burns celebrates each year as a way to showcase the unique “community” within the nursing care facility.

The week of events is celebrated by other nursing care centers across the United States, and this year’s theme was “The Spirit of America,” which was meant to underscore the bond among staff, volunteers and residents that captures the American spirit.

Burns Nursing & Rehab administrator Mark DeArman said this is always a special week for the residents and staff, and they are always glad to see so many visitors coming out to be part of the events.

“We really have a great time with our activities here,” DeArman said. “Our activities director, Tony Datuin, always plans fun things, and the events that were planned for National Nursing Home Week were no different. Everyone seemed to have a great time, especially the residents, and we are always glad to see them having fun.”

DeArman said the week’s activities included grilling hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken outside and having a fish fry; setting up a campsite with a fire for roasting marshmallows; a staff badminton tournament where the residents cheered them on; a time for residents to paint patriotic pictures in line with the week’s patriotic theme; and performances by different musical groups that came to entertain residents and guests.

“We also had our annual Ms. Burns Nursing and Rehab Pageant, which is always so much fun,” DeArman said. “We have our beautician, Tammy Hutcheson, to come in and do hair and nails for the residents who wanted to participate. You can tell it makes them feel great to get fixed up, and they have a great time.”

DeArman said this year’s winner of the pageant was Ruby Nell Duncan, of Belgreen, who will have a chance to participate in the Ms. Alabama Nursing Home Pageant in Birmingham.

“Ms. Ruby is such a kind and caring person and is always trying to help others at the facility,” DeArman said. “She makes the other residents laugh and is a joy to have here. She has made so many friends since coming here over a year ago.”

DeArman said he hopes the activities and events during National Nursing Home Week were as uplifting and fun for residents and guests as they were for the staff.

“We truly care about each one of our residents here and want them to have the best experience possible while they are with us,” DeArman said. “That is our goal every single day, but we hope those who visited with us during this time were able to see that as well. This facility becomes our residents’ home and their own community, and it is a community we are proud to showcase to others.”