Erwin Health Care Center

The CDC emphasizes the critical importance of immunization in long-term care facilities, particularly for protecting residents from severe complications related to respiratory viruses. Vaccination against COVID-19, flu, and RSV remains the most effective strategy to reduce hospitalizations, long-term health impacts, and mortality rates among nursing home residents.

EHCC faced several challenges in achieving high vaccination rates, including trust issues among new residents, misinformation from various sources, lack of awareness about the benefits of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, concerns related to medical history, and vaccine fatigue. However, the facility successfully navigated these obstacles through strategic initiatives.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and Erwin Health embraced the holiday spirit in full force this past Saturday at the annual Erwin Christmas Parade. We all came together to create a festive float that rolled through the heart of downtown, spreading joy and warmth to all who attended. We are proud to be an integral part of the Erwin community, and the parade allowed us to celebrate the season together with friends and neighbors.

Erwin Health’s participation was a resounding success, bringing together residents, staff, and the wider community in a shared celebration of joy and togetherness. The photos captured during the parade will serve as cherished memories of a day filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the true spirit of the holiday season. Here’s to many more festive moments and a joyful holiday season for the Erwin Health family!

Erwin Health Care Center (EHCC) welcomes Jason Bennett as it’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Bennett brings 30 years of long-term care experience to the postion – including administrative and clinical expertise. Beginning his healthcare career as a respiratory therapist, Mr. Bennett knows first-hand the importance of quality care. Since 2001, he has led skilled nursing/ assisted living facilities until he took on his most recent role as Administrator at Foundation Park Care Center – a 125 bed skilled Memory Care facility in Ohio. Mr. Bennett is a proven executive leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing strategic plans, promoting organizational mission, and driving operational outcomes.

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We would like to recognize our therapy department for National Rehabilitation Awareness Week! Pictured are Lisa Ambrose and Bobby Cielo from Physicial Therapy, Donise Williams from Speech Therapy, and Ty Jennings from Occupational Therapy. Not pictured is Shawana Strader from Occupational Therapy. Each of our therapists does an amazing job with meeting the needs of each resident in their care.

Our therapy department is a welcoming environment for our residents and many visit even when they are not on the caseload. We are proud of each of you. We have THE BEST therapy team.

Thank you for everything that you do!

Thank you to Renee Lowery, from Caris Hospice, for providing a lemonade and cookie stand to our staff and residents.

On September 26, 2023 at 3pm, Renee will be giving a presentation on “Types of Dementia” at Erwin Health Care. We would love for anyone interested in learning more about dementia to attend. To RSVP, call us at (423) 743-4131.

Some of our residents took an opportunity recently to go off-campus, grab a bite to eat, and visit a local car show. It was a great opportunity for building community and having a little fun. The residents got to visit with the owners of the cars, which brought back some old memories, too.

This Friday our residents are having an off-campus activity to Scott’s Farm Market in Unicoi for ice cream! This is a family owned, local farm that specializes in tomatoes, strawberries, and serving up delicious ice cream. It’s always fun to get out, explore, and who doesn’t like ice cream!

We had a great National Skilled Nursing Care Week, during which we celebrated our nurses and had the opportunity to thank them for their hard work, dedication to our patients, and the kindness they show every day. One special way we chose to celebrate our nurses was by having Shellem Cline perform here at EHCC! Shellem is a country and gospel music star who travels around the Southeast performing.  It was a blast having him here and we really enjoyed listening to his music.

Sunday, May 14 to Saturday, May 20, 2023, is National Skilled Nursing Week, formerly known as National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme is “Cultivating Kindness,” in hopes that all will continue cultivating and spreading kindness to improve lives. Since 1967, when the celebration was established by American Health Care Association, National Skilled Nursing Care Week begins on Mother’s Day every year and continues to the following Saturday.