It’s time for new leadership.
Or so I’ve been told.
But, before I go,
I’d like you to know…

In the beginning…

The “Nursing Center” was an institution, part of a larger organization.
It wasn’t “homelike” by any stretch of the imagination.
The shower rooms were bleak with small white tiles,
And the starkness of the halls seemed to stretch for miles.
Geri-chairs and wheel chairs lined the walls,
And in them, sad, cheerless souls slept in the halls.
Nurses were stern, they went door to door.
They passed out the meds -- daily times four.
The restorative aides got “pulled” everyday,
As the staff was so short, and no one would stay.
The aides’ work has always been utterly taxing,
They never, no never, had time for relaxing!
They showered and powdered, and fed all the folks,
They raced ‘til they sweat, then went out for a smoke.

Enter “EDEN”…

Now our Elders sleep in, they wake on their own.
Breakfast is offered, face washed and hair combed.
The carpet is softer on nurses’ sore feet,
And the facility “halls” have been changed into “streets”.
Nurses and aides all have their own “hood”,
They know “their” folks better than anyone could.
Lucky and Ambi roam all over the map,
While Sam can be found in one of 3 laps.
The fat orange cats doze nearly all day,
They do, for the most part, stay out of the way.
The staff is not “task-driven”.
They wrote their own mission.
The goal for residents: to provide individualized care -
The community knows all the love the staff shares.
Now more than ever we strive to teach
Each other and new-comers the goal we must reach.

So, remember my friends…

The garden we tend will grow fervent and strong.
And even when people tell us we’re wrong,
We’ll look back and see the ground where we stood,
And know in our hearts the journey’s been good.

I will always remember the love that was shared with me by the phenomenal staff and residents here at the Eckerd Living Center. I feel blessed to have known you. Keep fighting the plagues—you are in my prayers…

As Always, Lia