HCR ManorCare volume 17 | SEPTEMBER 2018
Block Party! “We are HCR ManorCare. We like to party!” ManorCare - Mayfield Heights, Ohio, has been throwing a block party for ten years! The event started out small, with just residents and employees attending. Danielle Vespucci, Admissions Director, was determined to turn it into something the whole community could get involved with, and she succeeded. “July 18th, 2018 marked ManorCare Mayfield Heights’ 10th annual block party. Ten years ago it started out as a small activity event for our residents because we wanted to do something different and entertaining for them. Ten years ago our turnout was approximately 50-75 people, arranged on the back patio of our facility. “Today this event has grown to over 250+ community members, case managers, colleagues, former patients, our staff and their families and our current patients, their families and friends. Mayfield Heights is a tight knit community and ,as an Admission Director, my goal is to engage my facility and residents within the community as much as possible so that the public can see our amazing outcomes, our hard work in becoming a 5-star facility, and the ability to interact with us! We are centrally located in the heart of Mayfield Heights and there is nothing more important than being consistent and engaging with all, so that everyone feels they have a place to turn to in a time of their health care needs. “The staff is all hands on when it comes to this event; we
Jerry Licht, resident, and Danielle Vespucci, Admissions Director, at ManorCare - Mayfield Heights’ block party. _______________________________________________________________________
greet, serve, and cater to what our friends need, but most importantly, we dance! We all get out on the dance floor (even those in wheelchairs!) and boogie down. It’s in that two minutes of a song, the patient can let-go and forget all that they have been through and are dealing with. The last two years we have added the East Coast Custard Truck to the event, raffle baskets and a 50/50 money raffle! “I always love to give a speech or special announcement at each block party to show how much I appreciate everyone coming out. I think the best part is afterward, when the compliments start pouring in. The community seems to become more grateful, more appreciative and more responsive to what we are doing here at ManorCare Mayfield Heights. Caring for the community is what we do because we are the proven leader for providing the best SNF and LTC services for all in need.”