It’s that time of year again when area nursing homes are kicking off their annual adopta- resident programs to help make the holiday season a little brighter.
A number of nursing homes like Medilodge of Leelanau and Maple Valley Nursing Home launch their adopt-a-resident programs every December aimed at ensuring that all residents receive a thoughtful gift, often from community members they haven’t met, in time for Christmas.
Maple Valley Nursing Home Activity Director Serena Kasben said the annual adopt-aresident program, now in its sixth year at the facility, always helps in making residents feel thought of and cared for during the holidays. Kasben posted photos of residents with their wishlists to the nursing home’s Facebook page last week and said it doesn’t take long until all residents are adopted once they publicly announce the program. Residents tend to request personable items such as warm, fuzzy blankets, socks, or sweaters, as well as various snacks and hygiene products like body wash and body lotion. Gifts can then be delivered, wrapped, and labeled with names to the nursing home by Monday, Dec. 22 to be distributed in time for the big day.
