Rhonda Freeman, Administrative Assistant, and Angie Turner, Director of Admissions, have been active participants on the Big Sandy Council on Elder Maltreatment for several years. The focus of the five county team is to elevate public awareness of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly to the surrounding communities. Most recently, the Council focused on the business community to educate employees and heighten their awareness to the dilemma many of the elderly are forced to endure on a daily basis. Statistics show that 84% of abuse goes unreported and 40% involves financial exploitation.

In support of the Council’s initiatives, health care workers were asked to wear purple. The staff of Good Shepherd proudly wore purple.

An example of the care and ministry to their residents and to the world, Cedar Creek highlights one of its most devoted workers – Carol Huber. In addition to her work in providing meaningful activities for the residents of Cedar Creek to enjoy, Carol and her husband, Melvin, operate Heralds of Christ Tidings of Joy, Inc. simultaneously with their other jobs. Having grown up in a household with parents who had been missionaries since the 50’s, Carol followed in the footsteps of her parents. Carol and Melvin began this ministry in 1972 and, for 37 years, they have been raising money for monthly support to meet the needs of the Haitian people.

Through the years, some of the things that the mission has helped local pastors accomplish: the purchase of vehicles; the education of students; the distribution of French and Creole translations of the Bible; to clothe children; to build churches; to provide for medical needs; to build an orphanage, the purchase of land for a community garden, and to build a kitchen for the nutrition program. Carol is careful to say “the work belongs to God” and to acknowledge that she and her husband simply work to channel the support to those in need.

Helmwood set a goal of collecting 200 cans, but we far surpassed that goal, collecting a total of 330 items! We enjoyed the opportunity to take part in a larger effort, as our donations will help those who need food assistance in our community.

August 2010 Spirit Award Winner
Tina was nominated for this award for going out of her way to make a resident feel happy and loved.  When a resident’s family was not able to come celebrate his birthday with him, Tina went out to get him gifts and a cake so that the staff here could celebrate with him.  These gestures turned his day around.

Tina’s work is often behind the scenes, taking care of administrative duties and office work that keep Helmwood running.  Other staff notice Tina’s willingness to be helpful.  “Can I do that for you?” she will ask.  “Can I help you?”  Even though Tina does not get as many opportunities to spend time directly with the residents, her commitment to them is obvious.  She can be seen serving at cookouts and special events.  She shares words of appreciation with the direct care staff while graciously downplaying her own contributions.  And she always keeps a friendly attitude that makes her indispensible in welcoming visitors.

Thank you, Tina, for all that you do!

Every six weeks the residents of Helmwood Healthcare gather for a cooking/baking activity.  In July they prepared enchiladas under the guidance of nutritional services director, Letisia Hazelwood.  Ground beef was fried, then rolled in tortillas and covered with a spicy sauce and cheese, and baked in the oven.  Non-alcoholic margaritas were served with the hot Mexican treat.

Despite the warm weather Kentucky is experiencing, several residents from Helmwood Healthcare traveled to Bernheim Forest to have lunch in their award winning visitor’s center.  There were many displays for the residents to explore as well as gardens for them to observe from the cool comfort of the center.  Everyone enjoyed a tasty noon meal and viewing the arboretum as the bus toured the site.

Under a beautifully bright summer sun, the residents of Helmwood Healthcare enjoyed a July cookout on their front patio.  The menu included grilled items that the residents had selected: hamburgers, hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob.  Ice cream was served for dessert.  Mark Gray, President/CEO of PHSK, Inc., stopped to visit and partake of the delicious food prepared by the nutritional services director, Letisia Hazelwood.