Penick Village
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Penick News
August 20, 2007
Volunteers Create “Café La Penick” for Penick Village Skilled Nursing Residents
Moore County may have a Starbucks coffee shop but thanks to local volunteers Penick Village now has Café La Penick. Dot Moss, skilled nursing administrative assistant, had an innovative idea to host a get-together where the skilled nursing residents could dress in their best, take a break from their daily routine and be treated to a “coffee social” on campus. This vision became a reality when local volunteers were informed and a coffee house theme emerged. “Every two weeks volunteers graciously bring coffee cake and pastries and help me host the gathering,” said Moss. “We decided to create a coffee house atmosphere with background music, table décor and nice serving pieces. Allowing our skilled nursing residents, who do not get out much, an opportunity to have an away from home experience right here on the Penick Village campus.”
Moss and her volunteers came up with the name Café La Penick and spent several hours making supportive themed props to help create the coffee house experience. Staff members like Linda Short an elder assistant even created a wooden café sign for display. “This new activity means so much to the residents that one of them even shows up 45 minutes early for coffee,” said Moss. “Even staff members are motivated by the excitement the residents have about Café La Penick. Kristi Hardin, Penick Village social worker, brought in homemade blueberry scones as one of the baked goods this week and other staff members are asking if they can assist too. I encourage a high quality of service and food because we want this to be a true café experience for the skilled nursing residents where they can put on their best and feel good about themselves.”
Penick Village has a volunteer pool of local area residents that generously dedicate themselves to the people at Penick Village in several ways. This past week Pat Bradbury, Mary McCluskey, Liz White and Sarah Hiatt assisted with Café La Penick. Volunteer Liz White also inspired the residents by sharing humorous stories in handling everyday life experiences. “Some of our skilled nursing residents are temporarily here for rehabilitation and enjoy activities like Café La Penick where they can meet the other residents,” noted Moss. “It helps make them feel more comfortable during their time with us.” Dot Moss has worked at Penick Village for almost 12 years in the skilled nursing area, serving the past 6 years in her current position as administrative assistant.
“This type of creativity and care for the resident’s quality of life is an excellent example of deinstitutionalizing elder care, a passion that Jeff Hutchins, our CEO, encourages at Penick Village,” stated Cheryl Futrell, Chief Operating Officer. “Jeff is a hands-on leader who listens to the staff and promotes this type of creative care for our residents.” Café La Penick is just one of several new activities Penick Village has created to encourage positive relationships among the residents and enrich their daily lives.
Contributed by Mary E. Petersen, community relations and development director for Penick Village
Volunteers Create “Café La Penick” for Penick Village Skilled Nursing Residents
Moore County may have a Starbucks coffee shop but thanks to local volunteers Penick Village now has Café La Penick. Dot Moss, skilled nursing administrative assistant, had an innovative idea to host a get-together where the skilled nursing residents could dress in their best, take a break from their daily routine and be treated to a “coffee social” on campus. This vision became a reality when local volunteers were informed and a coffee house theme emerged. “Every two weeks volunteers graciously bring coffee cake and pastries and help me host the gathering,” said Moss. “We decided to create a coffee house atmosphere with background music, table décor and nice serving pieces. Allowing our skilled nursing residents, who do not get out much, an opportunity to have an away from home experience right here on the Penick Village campus.”
Moss and her volunteers came up with the name Café La Penick and spent several hours making supportive themed props to help create the coffee house experience. Staff members like Linda Short an elder assistant even created a wooden café sign for display. “This new activity means so much to the residents that one of them even shows up 45 minutes early for coffee,” said Moss. “Even staff members are motivated by the excitement the residents have about Café La Penick. Kristi Hardin, Penick Village social worker, brought in homemade blueberry scones as one of the baked goods this week and other staff members are asking if they can assist too. I encourage a high quality of service and food because we want this to be a true café experience for the skilled nursing residents where they can put on their best and feel good about themselves.”
Penick Village has a volunteer pool of local area residents that generously dedicate themselves to the people at Penick Village in several ways. This past week Pat Bradbury, Mary McCluskey, Liz White and Sarah Hiatt assisted with Café La Penick. Volunteer Liz White also inspired the residents by sharing humorous stories in handling everyday life experiences. “Some of our skilled nursing residents are temporarily here for rehabilitation and enjoy activities like Café La Penick where they can meet the other residents,” noted Moss. “It helps make them feel more comfortable during their time with us.” Dot Moss has worked at Penick Village for almost 12 years in the skilled nursing area, serving the past 6 years in her current position as administrative assistant.
“This type of creativity and care for the resident’s quality of life is an excellent example of deinstitutionalizing elder care, a passion that Jeff Hutchins, our CEO, encourages at Penick Village,” stated Cheryl Futrell, Chief Operating Officer. “Jeff is a hands-on leader who listens to the staff and promotes this type of creative care for our residents.” Café La Penick is just one of several new activities Penick Village has created to encourage positive relationships among the residents and enrich their daily lives.
Contributed by Mary E. Petersen, community relations and development director for Penick Village