Local group urging community to join campaign to support long-term care residents

December 21, 2020 | 12:08 am

Updated December 20, 2020 | 8:46 pm

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When Marla Carter helped establish Faithful Friends Ministry at her church, she had one objective in mind — ensuring long-term care residents in Owensboro have someone with which to connect. 

The group, which encourages advocacy for long-term care patients, has made connections to local nursing homes in an effort to help residents know they are not alone. Through resources and information, they provide activities free of charge to the nursing homes. 

Carter is now hoping to show support by calling on local businesses and community members to place a pink bow outside as part of the “Hugs for the Holidays” campaign — an initiative started by a Tennessee caregivers advocacy group.

“Long-term care residents are separated from loved ones over the holidays,” Carter said. “This is a grassroots initiative used to bring awareness to the community.” 

Through the initiative, the community is urged to place a pink bow outside in a visible location — such as on a tree, a mailbox, the front door, or a post. 

“Due to COVID, many patients are coming up on 300 days since they were able to hug a loved one,” Carter said. “That’s the reason for the name. There have been no hugs, many have not had visits, have not left facilities other than for a critical medical appointment.” 

Prior to the pandemic, Faithful Friends Ministry met inside a local nursing home to hold a Sunday School class and fellowship. Since that is no longer possible, Carter is hoping to show support through Hugs for the Holidays.

“One thing I want people to remember — a lot of us are debating about personal freedoms being infringed upon,” Carter said. “We have a choice about entering a store or shaking a hand or giving a hug. Long-term care residents have no choice. They are completely isolated from the world.” 

For Carter, this mission is personal because her mother-in-law is at a local long-term care facility. During visits, Carter made friends with some of the other residents, opening her eyes to long-term care. 

“I drove past nursing homes all the time and thought the people were all happy and safe,” she said. “I found out that many don’t receive a single visitor. That’s when we formed this group and decided to adopt a local nursing home to connect with.” 

The advocacy group has a list of every facility in the state of Kentucky. Their activities director is working to provide them with handouts and resources. 

“We are looking to form an ongoing relationship with the facility — with the residents and the staff,” Carter said. “We want to reach Daviess County first and then the state of Kentucky.”

Although the group is not making pink bows to distribute, residents are encouraged to make their own to begin to display. More information is available on the Faithful Friends Ministry Facebook page.

“The pink bows are a simple way to show we have not forgotten about them,” Carter said. “We love them, we miss them, we support them. The families suffer too because of this isolation.”

December 21, 2020 | 12:08 am

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