Published: May 20, 2008 10:31 am         

Much has changed about nursing homes

Last week was National Nursing Home Week, and the residents of Logansport and Cass County are fortunate to have one of the best examples of this industry in their midst.

In the 1960s, my great-grandmother went to a nursing home to die. That’s what nursing homes were for back then. The one she went to reeked of urine. The patients spent their days in bed, largely ignored by the staff, waiting for the end.

Today, Logansport is home to one of the best of the new breed of nursing homes — Chase Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center along Smith Road.

Opened in 1967, Chase Center received perfect survey scores in 2006 and 2007 from the Indiana State Department of Health.

Chase Center features facilities for semi-independent residents, patients requiring more skilled nursing care, and others suffering from Alzheimers or other forms of dementia. They also recognize the importance of feeling good emotionally. An in-house beauty shop helps residents feel better about how they look and a full schedule of social events — from trivia games and guest entertainers to bingo and weekly church services — is designed to combat feelings of isolation and depression.

Yes, some people do come to Chase for their final days. Four people in the wing I came to know have died since my admission and each was mourned as much by the aides and nurses who work here as by their families. In fact, for many of the residents, the aides and nurses who care for them are their families. The genuine affection between them is obvious. Some staffers bring their children to spend a couple of hours or an afternoon. Others bring their pets to play tug-of-war or ball games that can stimulate arthritic hands and promote eye-hand coordination or just sit on a lap to be petted.

Other people come to Chase to recover from injury or illness. The wound care specialists here healed my cellulitis and the therapist got me back on my feet after month of inactivity. Within a few days, I’ll be going home — joining the many people who return to their communities.

Before I came here I thought nursing homes were depressing places filled with doom and gloom. To my surprise and delight, I found Chase Center to be filled with hugs and laughter, two ingredients just as important to recovery as pills and potions.

I urge the residents of Logansport and Cass County to visit Chase Center and experience for yourselves the atmosphere of hope fostered by the people who work here.



Leveda Smith

Logansport