Once in a blue room: Nursing home hopes makeover will lift resident’s spirits
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| Kaitlyn Henderson, director of corporate communication for Passages Hospice, shows Dixon Healthcare resident Wilma Wren her new bed quilt Tuesday morning. Passages is helping to make Wilma’s stay at the nursing home more pleasant by giving her room a makeover. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@svnmail.com) |
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DIXON – Going home again isn’t an option for Wilma Wren. The 89-year-old is a resident of Dixon Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, an adjustment that’s been difficult, since Wren clings tightly to one dream.
“She really wants to go home. But, healthwise, she’s just not able to,” said Kaitlyn Henderson, spokeswoman for Dixon Healthcare’s parent company, Elgin-based Passages Hospice.
So, bringing “home” to Wren became a goal for the staff, including certified nursing assistant Heather Greer and licensed practical nurse Tara Sorrells, who were intent on giving her a new and improved room with a view.
Wren’s room was nearly bare Tuesday as Greer and Sorrells prepared it for its transformation. New paint will adorn the walls; new drapes and blinds will accent the windows.
Blue will dominate the color scheme – it’s Wren’s favorite shade. The room was designed around a blue-and-cream comforter that Wren selected herself, so three of the walls will be blue, and an accent wall will be painted cream.
“We were going for soothing colors,” Henderson said.
Pictures and bookshelves will round out the mini-renovation.
The room will feature the same elegance that Wren possesses, Henderson said.
“Wilma is never without makeup. Her appearance is everything,” she said.
Meeting Wren proved that true. Fashionable pearl earrings and other jewelry punctuated a wise and beautiful face, which lit up at the mention of her new room.
“I like it. It’ll be nice. I’ve been wanting that done,” Wren said.
Passages Hospice Charitable Foundation’s Dream Program funded the makeover. The program has helped make 20 residents’ dreams a reality, but Wren was the first Dixon Healthcare resident given the opportunity, Henderson said.
Depression can be a problem for some patients, said Brittany Rowe, healthcare and rehabilitation center administrator. The new room aims to lift Wren’s spirits.
It seems to be working already.
“I think it’s nice. I like nice things,” Wren said.
Greer can’t wait for Wren to enjoy the new space, either.
“The little stuff we do makes a huge difference to the spirit. She’s going to be so excited to show it off.”
