Today’s Front Line Hero is Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, which is bringing smiles to seniors’ faces with visits from alpacas!
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries has been committed to transforming lives in their communities for more than 150 years, and provides support to people of all faiths through compassionate services, gracious hospitality, and charitable care. In addition to Diakon’s programs serving children, youth, and families, it also serves older adults through programs such as comprehensive senior living across Pennsylvania and Maryland.
To maintain the health and safety of residents and staff in senior living facilities, Diakon has been following all federal guidelines related to COVID-19, including visitor restrictions. However, Diakon has gotten creative with ways to thank their staff for hard work, and the staff are doing their best to make the lives of the residents feel a bit more “normal.”
This week is National Nursing Home Week, so Diakon planned staff appreciation events at their nursing homes. The event at Twining Village in Holland, PA included a complimentary ice cream truck and sidewalk chalk messages from the community, thanking the staff for their work. Diakon also celebrated National Nursing Home Week by welcoming alpaca Duchess and her owner, Wendy, who visited the residents of Manatawny Manor in Pottstown, PA through the windows.
Thank you to Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries for your creative spirit, the gratitude you show to your staff, and all the ways you are working to make life as normal and joyful as possible for residents.
