The City of Laurel strives to provide a high quality of life for all citizens and seniors are no exception. From May 14th to May 20th the City recognized National Nursing Home Week and honored those who are providing services to and receiving services from our many excellent nursing care facilities.

On Monday, Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee visited Comfort Care Nursing Home to greet the residents and staff and to present them with a proclamation in honor and recognition of National Nursing Home Week.

The mayor’s appearance was one of many activities staff had planned for residents to celebrate the week. Nursing Home Administrator Alex Pippen explained, “National Nursing Home Week is something we celebrate every year. It’s a celebration of our staff and our residents. The theme this year is ‘Cultivating Kindness’ and we will focus on the state of Mississippi this year.”

Each day of the week featured a theme based on an aspect of Mississippi life and history and featured special meals and activities around that theme. On Monday, staff and residents were encouraged to wear shirts or jerseys representing their favorite local sports teams for “Sports Day.” They met with Mayor Magee in the morning and had a special “sports social” that afternoon.

On Tuesday, residents celebrated “The Blues/ 1950s Day”; Wednesday was “Dress Like You are On the Farm Day”; Thursday was “Coastal Day”; and Friday was “Home Town Day”.

Tuesday featured the most events with a special musical guest, a visit from Home Town’s Ben and Erin Napier, an Elvis impersonator, and a homemade ice cream social.

The Napiers dropped in to say hello to the residents and staff and to answer questions they had about them and their show. “This place is special for us,” Ben explained as he recalled that he had performed there in a Christmas program with the Jones College choir the week that he and Erin started dating. After that, the two of them would go to Comfort Care to eat lunch with Erin’s grandmother, Ouida Walters Rasberry, who was once a resident of the facility.

Afterwards, Minister Lena Bender and saxophonist Doug Berry performed jazz and blues favorites for the residents following a quick prayer led by Bender. “It makes me happy to know that I make them happy,” she explained. “Every time I see them, we’re going to talk about love.”

National Nursing Home Week is recognized each May, often with special programming and extra involvement from members of the local community. “It means a lot to have the support of the mayor and the support of the community,” Pippen said. “We’re very thankful for the community and the community support.”

In Honor and Recognition of National Nursing Home Week May 14 to 20, 2023

WHEREAS, we honor and respect our elders and citizens of any age who reside in skilled nursing home centers in Laurel, Mississippi; and,

WHEREAS, the citizens of Laurel and Jones County now residing in nursing homes have contributed immeasurably to the heritage, success and growth of our community; and

WHEREAS, our nursing home residents of any age or ability are themselves living history and a precious resource that should be treasured by all Mississippians; and

WHEREAS, the staff and volunteers in nursing homes help residents live life to their fullest potential by providing a holistic approach to long term care and who sacrifice time and effort each day in doing for others; and

WHEREAS, South Central Regional Medical Center’s Comfort Care Nursing Home is holding events in observance of National Nursing Home Week, May 14 to 20, 2023, using this year’s theme of “Cultivating Kindness,” inspired by the many acts of kindness that happen in skilled nursing homes every day

NOW THEREFORE, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, urge all citizens to visit a loved one, family member or friend residing in any care setting and offer a kind word, a personal touch, and spend time with those from all walks of life in need of our continuing love and support.

Heather Gilbert, VP, Post Acute Care; Shana Doss, RN Assistant Director of Nursing; Alex Pippen, RN Administrator; Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee; Melissa Davis, RN Director of Nursing; and Lisa Young, Activities Director

Mayor Johnny Magee and Comfort Care resident Ms. Ina Gilbert

Music Ministers Doug Berry and Minister Lena Bender

Ben and Erin Napier

Lisa Young, Activities Director; Ben Napier; Erin Napier; and Administrator Alex Pippen