'Messmer-izing' event to celebrate National Skilled Nursing Week

Nursing home staff ordinarily go above and beyond for their residents, regardless of the department in which they work. However, over the course of this last year, these frontline heroes have become more than caregivers as they at times stepped out of their regular comfort zones as they adapted quickly to changing regulatory guidance and became hair stylists, counselors, companions, friends, advocates, FaceTime chat organizers, hallway game conductors along with anything else within their power to keep their residents safe, entertained and happy throughout the pandemic.

To celebrate these frontline heroes, Alden Des Plaines Rehabilitation and Health Care Center along with Alden Courts and Gardens of Des Plaines hosted a "Messmer-izing" Skilled Nursing Week event that included a chef prepared meal, socially distant games and a live musical performance by Chicago legend, Wayne Messmer.

"Our staff would have been appreciative of this celebration on its own, but having Wayne Messmer publicly thank them for the hard work they've done made this extremely special," said Carol Carl, Alden Courts & Gardens of Des Plaines administrator.

While the event was held to celebrate hard working employees, residents were also invited to attend to enjoy themselves and celebrate the staff who care greatly for them.

"I've always loved music. It was such a treat to hear Wayne Messmer sing classics from legends like Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bobby Darin," said resident Leonard Zaporowski, age 95.

This employee centered celebration also included musical performances by activity aide, Vince Polintan and Joe Rusinak, Alden Des Plaines Rehabilitation and Health Care Center administrator.

"Every day, my employees share with our residents the gift of kindness through caring. Performing and sharing with them the gift of music was just one creative way for me to show them gratitude for the work they do," said Rusinak.

In line with creative ways of showing appreciation, Rusinak also volunteered to sit in a dunk tank and allowed employees to make unlimited attempts at dunking their boss.

"The last year has been hard for all of us but my team still showed up and delivered the best care to our residents. I've asked a lot of them throughout this pandemic and I'll say they earned the opportunity to dunk me," said Rusinak.

For more than 50 years, The Alden Network has provided health care and residential solutions for seniors and has helped them function to the best of their ability and live life as independently as possible. To learn more about The Alden Network, call (800) 291-5900 or visit www.thealdennetwork.com.