Staff at the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly. Photo:VINO

Assistant Manger at Adina Donovan, Ms Jacqueline Donovan. Photo:VINO

The Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly as it appeared on Christmas Day 2012. Photo:VINO

Staff at the institution related that the residents were given their presents first then treated immediately afterwards to a special breakfast of saltfish and Johnny cakes with chocolate tea and juices.

Persons from around the community generously gave gifts this year to the extent that residents of the home were even able to receive two gifts per person. Residents were also serenaded by a group of carollers who visited and played instruments while they spent some time with a few of them.

During the day, they were visited by various family members while staff members also sang for some of the other residents. The residents were reported to be thrilled with the presents that they received. This included clothing and other personal effects.

There was also a special lunch menu of turkey and macaroni and cheese with vegetable rice in store for the elderly at the home after which they had some games of bingo while mingling with the staff of the home.

Assistant Manager at the home, Ms Jacqueline Donovan, explained that it was her first Christmas at the Home while revealing that a lot of work went into preparing the residents and the home in order to ensure that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas.

According to Ms Donovan, the residents were the beneficiary of lots of donations and gifts for the Christmas season as persons came by or called and were able to provide many of the things that they needed.

She also related that the residents helped in setting up a Christmas corner at the home, which included a Christmas tree and some decorations where they were able to take photos with family members and friends that visited during the holiday season.

There was also a Christmas party which was held on December 19, 2012 where the residents were treated to many goodies including cakes, tarts, apple cider and also live music, which was provided by Alred "AC" Frett and a few other persons.

“They were able to enjoy a regular Christmas,” Ms Donovan revealed, “just like if they were in their own homes”.

Commenting on the residents participating in the decorating of the home, the Assistant Manager shared, “we try to keep them as independent and as involved in all the activities that we do for the home itself.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs Petrona Davies, disclosed that the institution, which is run by a Manager and Assistant Manager, is a place of residence for the elderly that provides medical care, and also functions as a nursing home because residents are often found to be in need of nursing care.

“What we have done is increase the nursing staff,” she expressed while stating the necessity for residents to have the benefit of the type of coverage.

Mrs Davies further explained that the Ministry tries to provide a nurturing environment in addition to creating circumstances suitable for their recreational needs. Additionally, families are also encouraged to remain an active part of their lives in such a way that members of the community continue to interact with them and also to contribute in any way that they can.

In keeping with the need to protect their privacy, Virgin Islands News Online was unable to capture photographs of the resident elderly at the Home on Christmas day.

Although the home is designed as one for the elderly, there are a few residents there who are not quite elderly, but have been accommodated as a result of their condition.

She added that the institution is funded as a Department of Government under the Ministry of Health & Social Development with members of the community at large also making contributions to the residents on various occasions.