Between them, these six ladies have a total of 89 years of service and experience at Resthave Retirement and Nursing Home, 408 Maple Avenue, Morrison, IL. However, they represent only a portion of the 125-130 people who work behind the scenes, giving care, help, and comfort to 80 patients now living at Resthave.
Left-to-right are back row: Jan Bos, activities, and Jen Pedia, dietary; front row: Rita Mitchell, housekeeping; Jeanette Bush, housekeeping; Tami Cady, CNA in Assisted and Living; Kris Muur, payroll.
The community of Morrison has watched the creation of a new building for Resthave. Soon to be completed, the new Retirement and Nursing home will be the home to over 100 patients. Phase One involved the construction of 20 Assisted Living Apartments. Phase Two consisted of a new nursing wing with 65 private rooms plus five additional rooms for Medicare patients. Phase Three will house the chapel, offices, a library, and 17 more Assisted Living Apartments.
However, as we, the community watched and admired this new building and remodeling, we only saw the change of a structure. Inside is the heart of Resthave–its patients and the staff that support them. This staff are the “worker bees” of Resthave. They have lived through a total renovation, lasting three years, and the move in of many new residents. All of this has taken planning, organization, cooperation, and tireless hours. Their “whatever it takes” attitude has made all the difference in this effort. Therefore, this is an article of praise and admiration for the staff.
When asked about the challenges of the past three years, Jeanette Bush of housekeeping said, “Dust!” However, she and teammate Rita Mitchell quickly added praise for the construction guys and how great they were. “They are so good about watching out for the residents and even call them by name. They have become like family.”
Another challenge has been the laundry. As new patients moved in from the community and Four Seasons at Morrison Community Hospital, all clothes had to be be tagged for identification. All laundry staff said this was a monumental task.
Added to the challenge of making everything run smoothly during these three years has been additional staff. “We have so many new people with whom to become acquainted! Jill Smith, Social Services, has been so helpful in providing a history of each resident for us, to ease the learning process,” stated Tami Cady and Mitchell.
Resthave is now a BIG facility in terms of area. The ladies told me that in April 2015 they had walked 109 miles! This is an average of seven-to-eight miles per day. Cady said, “The staff in Nursing walks even more.” One staff member commented that she has lost ten pounds since the opening of the nursing wing.
The lost feeling of camaraderie has been one of the most difficult for the staff. “In the older and smaller facility, we saw each other at lunch, at breaks, at the nurses’ station, and on the floor. We really do miss each other.” All of the ladies interviewed stated this sentiment.
“The private nursing rooms are the absolute best change at Resthave. Two to a room was so difficult for our residents. They were often sharing a room with someone they did not know, plus the room was filled with essential equipment,” commented Muur.
Also there is a change in dining, which went into effect the week of Monday, May 25. “The breakfast time is now open order, and dinner and supper are served buffet style, with other offerings other than the menu,” offered Pedia from dietary.
All agreed that the last three years have brought “amazing changes!” From the Assisted Living Apartments, to Private Nursing Rooms, and dining and menu changes, Resthave has truly entered the new millennium. I asked if they needed anything to complete this makeover, and they shouted, “Another mini-van for transportation!”
Bush commented, “We never want our patients or residents to lose their dignity.” What better words to sum up both my interview and their goal!
As William Shakespeare stated in his play “Twelfth Night,” “We can no other answer make than thanks, and ever thanks, and ever thanks.”