THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220212
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The nursing and office staff of Commonwealth Health Care are dispensing their own prescription for holiday cheer to elderly patients in need: one box of homemade cookies, three favorite Christmas carols and lots of love.
``It makes you feel bad to know how little it takes to make someone's Christmas,'' said Sonia Logsdon, Commonwealth's clinical director.
The idea of delivering homemade goodies and heart-felt cheer began five years ago when the staff was discussing patients who are in distressing situations during the holidays. Logsdon suggested that employees bake cookies and give them to home-bound patients instead of each other for Christmas. Everybody agreed, and the project has grown each year.
Patients chosen have little or no support system and receive in-home, rather than nursing home, care.
``Anyone can buy food, but when you bake cookies at 2 a.m., then take time to go there and sit with them, that's more than the cookies,'' Logsdon said.
This year, the staff will deliver more than 75 dozen cookies in boxes supplied by Chick-Fil-A, as well as three food baskets to more than 50 patients. All expenses are paid by the staff themselves. The company allows time to facilitate the giving.
On one visit last week, the nurses met an elderly woman sleeping peacefully beneath a neatly laid white blanket. Though they didn't wake Rosa Gatlin, they did sing to the 86-year-old woman as she slept. They also promised Gatlin's sister that they would return later.
From there, the nurses drove to Norfolk to visit Louise Pelletier, 87. She welcomed the four nurses clad in white uniforms, holiday jewelry and Santa hats into her spacious home.
Pelletier's husband of 45 years, William, however, displayed no interest in his company since they arrived during his nap time. Lying on a high bed, he tossed, turned and fussed at no one in particular. Susan Eucher, a nurse supervisor familiar with the Alzheimer's patient, grasped the back of his head, leaned in close to his face and spoke calmly of their mission. He persisted with his grumblings; and she, with her purpose.
With a firm caring grip, she held his wrinkled hand close to her while the group sang ``Silent Night'' undeterred. At the end of the song, the 90-year-old man paused and said, ``Beautiful.''
In the living room, Louise Pelletier proudly reminisced about her husband's azaleas and shared her current situation.
``We don't have any people here in Norfolk,'' she said, ``I don't know what we'd do without our friends.''
The nurses listened intently before asking Louise Pelletier of her favorite carol. Before leaving, they sang ``The First Noel'' with her. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Such visits are important to the elderly ``for as many reasons as there are in the world,'' Logsdon explained.
``A lot of them feel alone,'' said Stephanie Williams, an office staff member. ``It lets them know we love them.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Louise Roberts, left, sister of patient Rosa Gatlin, greets
nurse-supervisor Nalda Freeman.
by CNB