Kristin Markley, administrator for Pruitt Health-Limestone in Gainesville, Ga., doesn’t offer so much as tips for building a successful “holidays” strategy to benefit her residents and partners (the Pruitt name for staff), as she does preach on the need for enthusiasm to even start to undertake such an endeavor. 

“We talk a lot about expectations and communicating to the team of what to anticipate for the holidays. I’ve been here five years as the administrator and worked for Pruitt Health-Limestone for 11years,” Markley said. “We have many veteran partners, mixed with those who are new to Pruitt Health. To make the holidays successful, it is essential to choose the right people who are passionate about caring for our residents.”

With 104 residents, the tasks include establishing a plan, and that will kick off our “Frontline Tips” on bringing the holidays to your buildings. The world of doing the holidays right, according to Markley:

1 – Start Early.

Pruitt Health-Limestone starts holiday planning in early October. The Christmas season is the biggest focus, she said, but the facility does do a popular Halloween event where partners bring in their children and grandchildren to trick or treat with the residents. But for the most part it is the Thanksgiving to Christmas period in plain view, and it begins well before there is even a display of Christmas decorations at Home Depot.

2 – Coordinate Staff and Volunteers.

“First off, we look at staffing for all departments to ensure adequate personnel for each department, such as nursing, environmental, dietary, and administrative staff to accommodate the busy holiday schedules,” Markley said. Amy Worley, activities director, coordinates volunteers and volunteer groups, and the monthly list of fun and engaging activities.

3 – Identify Activities.

Pruitt Health-Limestone’s activity calendar hosts a multitude of festive activities with partners, volunteers, and families taking part to make a range of events happen. There are visits from Mr. and Mrs. Clause, The Grinch, and Elf. Decorating trees is the second-most popular activity, with an Elvis concert ranking as most popular, Markley said.

“Our residents look forward to this spirited time of year. It is a joyful time of year. Those who are cognitively impaired also enjoy the celebrations. For example, when decorating trees, one family member came in to decorate and had her mother [a resident] help her and it brought back such memories. Also touring all the Christmas trees is a sweet activity for families to engage in with their loved one,” Markley said.  

4 - Spread out Activities.

She said to enjoy a full slate of holiday events it is important to stretch them out throughout the month of December. “Almost every day there is some sort of activity going on - gingerbread house building, ornament crafting, musical groups, an eggnog social, and a Christmas cookie social. Residents and partners are invited to participate. “It’s really important to have nurses, CNAs, dietary, administrator, and housekeepers having some time to fellowship,” Markley said.

5 – Hold an Employee Party.

For the holidays, we host a partner/staff luncheon. She has made it part of the anniversary process as well, with partners who reach a milestone receiving a pin from Pruitt to recognize their service. “I will open it up and touch on the highlights from the last year and look forward to our goals for next year. There is real excitement about the pins; partners congratulate one another on these accomplishments. It is important to recognize partners’ success,” Markley said.

6. Communicate.

Getting the word out is also a key and easily covered with the mypruitt app, signage in rooms and common areas, Touchtown TVs, and communications with families, she said.

7. Prepare for More Visitors.

Markley said her facility is always clean and ready for residents, but during the holidays she instructs partners to be extra diligent given the rush of new faces that will come through the doors to visit family members.

“We start doing increased cleaning and deep cleaning of the building and make sure the residents are looking and feeling their best. We do this all the time, but some family members are only able to visit once a year, so we ensure each resident is happy and ready for family visits,” she said.

This can include having additional staff working to keep up with the extra people in the facility.

“We welcome everyone in and make them part of our family. We also have a concierge area, hospitality bar with snacks, fresh baked sweets, drinks, and a coffee bar available, so visitors don’t have to leave the facility for refreshments,” Markley said.

8. Special Attention to Residents Having No Visitors.

And, finally, she said the partners pay special care to those residents who do not have friends or family stopping by in December. There is also a program involving Pruitt Health at Home, and Pruitt Health Hospice Gainesville offices that reach out to residents without families and focus on getting them gifts.

“It is all about caring. We had a resident admitted with no clothes. Our director of health services went out on her own and bought her clothes … she had no family support. She was alone,” Markley said.

But, in reality, she is now part of our Pruitt family, she added.

Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.