In January 2008, Project Smile
officially launched the Operation Elder Care program. This program
donates stuffed animals to elderly residents of nursing homes.
While obtaining feedback from participating departments, Project Smile
learned that stuffed animals are frequently used to help calm elderly
people who come into contact with police or paramedics and are
suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. Stuffed animals can offer the
same level of comfort to an elderly person as they do to a child.
Based on that feedback and feedback from people who work extensively
with elderly patients in nursing homes and/or hospitals, Project Smile
decided to launch Operation Elder Care.
The gift of a stuffed animal
offers a tangible gesture of warmth and compassion, both of which are
greatly needed.
"Our residents here at the
Hopedale Garden Continuing Care Center were so grateful and excited to
receive your gift of beautiful stuffed animals. Something that we take
for granted everyday like getting a doll or
stuffed animal from someone for a holiday or birthday seems so
much more now to me now that I have seen the response and reactions
from my residents. I saw residents smile and laugh that have not been
that happy in a long time.. I work with these residents everyday
and I was brought to tears when I saw the smiles on their faces..
Thank you and your new ELDER CARE ORGANIZATION.. Please keep it
going you are making so many people happy by your thoughtfulness..
Knowing that there are caring people out there like you makes us
realize how wonderful the world can be.."
Tara,
Activities Director
Hopedale Continuing Care
Participants
- Blackstone Nursing Home
- Blaire House
- Franklin Skilled Nursing
- Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center
- Holliston Manor
- Hopedale Continuing Care
- Lydia Taft House
- Marie Esther Health Center
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- Medway Country Manor
- Mill Pond
- Serenity Hills Nursing Center
- Sunbridge Care & Rehab
- Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation, Milford
- The Continuing Care Center at Hopedale
- Willowbrook Nursing
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