The M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center today officially kicked off Wish Upon a Star, an ambitious new program that will involve the entire community in enhancing the lives of residents of the skilled-nursing facility.
Wish Upon a Star was created by Thompson Health Senior Living Services in affiliation with Second Wind Dreams (www.SecondWind.org), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1997 to enhance the quality of life for those in eldercare communities and change the perception of aging.
Funded by the proceeds of the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center’s annual Holiday Bazaar and by donations from the community, the Wish Upon a Star program will fulfill a dream for one resident from each of the Center’s five avenues every month. These resident-generated wishes could be something as simple as a special dinner with family, a reunion with an old friend or a visit to a favorite place. A ride on a roller coaster, a hot air balloon excursion or a meeting with a favorite celebrity are just a few more examples of wishes that may surface, according to the program’s “Dreamweaver,” Lois Schenk.
Schenk, the executive assistant for Thompson Health Senior Living Services and special events coordinator for the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, says Associates at the 188-bed facility are already accustomed to making wishes come true on a daily basis. This can include everything from fetching a chocolate milkshake from a local ice cream shop, giving up a day off to accompany a resident to an event or assisting a resident in using Skype to communicate with loved ones who live far away. “What’s new with Wish Upon a Star is that we are involving residents’ families and the community at large to help make these wishes come true,” she says.
To that end, individuals, organizations and local businesses that would be willing to donate their services, goods and/or airline miles to residents benefitting from Wish Upon a Star are asked to contact Schenk at 585-396-6049. Financial contributions are also welcome.
“Together,” Schenk says, “This community can bring a whole lot of smiles to our residents’ faces, creating meaningful and memorable experiences for them and for their loved ones. The possibilities are endless!”