“Nurturing a love that lasts” is the theme of National Nursing Home Week, which begins May 10 and runs through May 16. The annual celebration was established in 1967 by the American Health Care Association.

Today’s nursing home residents were often the movers and shakers of their generation. Farmers, blue collar workers, teachers, businessmen and others who toiled long and hard for many years have now reached the point in their lives where they need help. Honoring those retirees and the caregivers who help them is the central purpose of National Nursing Home Week.

Area nursing facilities are planning a variety of events during the week and all through the month of May. At St. John’s Lutheran Home, Diane Wichmann and the rest of the activities staff know they will have a busy month.

“We want all our residents to have happy, productive lives, and that means the whole staff has to pitch in to make it happen,” said Wichmann, activities director.

A Cinco de Mayo celebrationis especially appreciated by the facility’s many Hispanic workers. The 35th annual Mother’s Day picnic was Saturday. On Monday, a proclamation was read by Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh, declaring May 10 through May 16 National Nursing Home Week. Administrators, activities directors and residents of all local skilled care facilities have been invited to the reception at St. John’s.

Gardening has developed into a major summer activity at St. John’s, and the month of May is when the dirt really starts to fly. On May 15, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., a garden bedding sale will be held. Birdhouses and trellises, crafted by residents will be for sale. Donations of gardening supplies from the community are being asked for, as an additional source of goods for sale at the event. A dog show, sponsored by the Freeborn County Kennel Club, will entertain residents on May 19. A historical style show takes place on May 20, with pioneer era clothing provided by the Freeborn County Historical Society.

The climactic event at St. John’s is the sixth annual senior prom, which will be held on May 20. Helping residents get dressed in formal attire, pinning on corsages, photo shoots and other activities all add up to a lot of work for the entire staff of St. John’s, but Wichmann says the work has many rewards. The senior prom is open to the families and friends of the St. John’s community. There will be live music at the event.

“The prom is the ultimate event, but all the events are meaningful. It’s great to welcome everybody who comes. For the residents and staff, it makes them feel good about themselves. It’s good for people,” Wichmann said.

May is also Older Americans Month, which has inspired all of the activities directors at Albert Lea’s skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities to make the month a time of celebration.

Thorne Crest Retirement Center puts the focus is on caregiving as a way of behaving respectfully toward seniors.

“Caregiving isn’t all about what you know. It’s about treating other people in an unselfish and respectful way,” said Kay Goodmanson, activities director at Thorne Crest.

Many activities are planned at Thorne Crest to honor residents and their caregivers. A volunteers celebration and a western day featuring live animals was held May 6. A Mother’s Day style show gives the ladies a reason to don their finery. A cookout on May 14 includes a classic car show and music, and is open to the Thorne Crest community and their families.

Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center plans several events in celebration of National Nursing Home Week. Theresa Thorland is recreation and wellness director at ALGSC, and said Good Sam has planned many activities for the month of May. On May 2, ALGSC hosted a team of Aztec dancers. There were wheelchair races on May 4. A Mother’s Day celebration with live music will be featured on Saturday. Sass, the Albert Lea High School women’s show choir led by Diane Heaney, will perform on May 14, and Carroll Carson will bring his team of Percheron horses to ALGSC on May 21. Carriage rides will be offered along with displays of harnesses.

“It’s a time to spotlight and honor our residents. We want to bring back some great memories and have a lot of fun,” Thorland said.