Irish eyes were smiling on Rosebridge Manor March 17

Jasper long-term care home marks St. Patrick’s Day with party

As the saying goes, everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and that was certainly true at Rosebridge Manor.

Residents and staff at OMNI Health Care’s Jasper, Ont. long-term care home donned green hats and necklaces and enjoyed live music on March 17.

Those who live at the home raised their glasses of non-alcoholic punch served in fancy wine goblets. They also enjoyed a special lunch featuring Irish stew and the appropriate sides.

Rosebridge Manor life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Kathy Barr had to close her office door to take a phone call from The OMNIway due to the volume of the joyous celebrations underway.

Being able to consistently have live entertainment back in the home after many interruptions due to the various safety protocols and restrictions of the last two years related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been wonderful for residents, the LEC noted.

“We’re having our big St. Patrick’s Day party,” Kathy said.

“Everybody’s got their hats on and their beads on and we’ve had some family involvement and our nutritional care manager (Kori Bigelow) made an Irish-themed lunch.”

Staff and residents who had green items of clothing dressed for the occasion. Employees also wore headbands with shamrocks or put green colouring in their hair.

“The staff were really good to get involved this year, which was nice,” Kathy said.

Residents also had a second round of live entertainment on St. Patrick’s Day, featuring a trio on saxophone, keyboards and vocals, after their evening meal.

Rosebridge Manor and other long-term care homes were permitted by the provincial government as of Feb. 21 to welcome back entertainers, Kathy noted.

“The last week of February was just full of people coming in and entertaining and whatnot and volunteers. It was great.”

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