Project helps heal heart patients
With the energy of spring chickens, a group of women at Prestige Assisted Living completed a heartfelt project in February to help post-surgical patients at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Shirley Barrett, Ivera Farmer, Bev Puller, Louise Eayrs and Margaret Shergalis made 18 heart-shaped pillows for heart surgery patients to hold close to their sternums while healing. Working together, they cut yards of red felt, sewed and stuffed the useful and comforting pillows, which were delivered to the hospital Feb. 28.
The plan was hatched by Prestige’s executive director Patty Cordell. Due to her extensive medical background she was familiar with the use of heart pillows for post-surgical patients to hold close to their chest to help protect their sternum while it is healing and ease discomfort when moving or getting out of bed.
Prestige’s Life Enrichment Director Lauri Morris coordinated the project with two volunteers in February for “Happy Heart Month” and the group completed the pillows in about two days.
Prestige Assisted Living’s monthly Giving Back Program was launched a little over a year ago. The program offers residents a chance to get involved with a variety of community service projects. Residents can sign up for any project that interests them. The program dovetails well with the home’s Celebrations wellness program designed to nurture body, mind and spirit by strengthening bonds with others, while making meaningful connections with the community.
Some of the women were already familiar with the benefits of heart pillows. Barrett’s son had heart surgery and had been given one and Eayrs’ husband had double bypass surgery about five years ago. “Patients often have very sharp pains following surgery and they can help ease the pain,” she said. “He left the hospital hugging his heart pillow.”
Puller, who had a long career in nursing before retiring in 2011, said that projects like these give her something to do while accomplishing something that needs to be done. She and Farmer agreed, saying they like keeping their hands busy and it’s a great way for residents who share a similar interest to connect.
Barrett said she’s grateful that she can continue to volunteer. She also volunteers for the hospital making baby and children’s caps and mittens.
“The projects touch well on our Five Qualities of Life philosophy,” Morris said. They are: “Make new friends. Live better. Enjoy life. Make a difference. Express yourself.”
Other Giving Back projects residents have been involved with since the program’s inception are making tie blankets for the animal shelter, bagging rice for the food bank, baking cookies for Cancer Support Community and hosting lunches for veterans.
The program, which emphasizes creativity and developing new skills, has been popular with the residents.
“It has really brought everyone together,” Morris said.
This month Prestige is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for its “Explore Your World: Italy” Giving Back Project.
Members of the community are invited to come to Prestige Assisted Living Thursday, April 19, for an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. The menu will also include meatballs, green salad and garlic bread. A $10 donation is requested with all proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels.
Guests can choose to dine at 4:30 p.m. in the Expressions memory care unit, or 4 p.m. in Assisted Living. RSVP by Monday, April 16, by calling the front desk at 756-1818.