Clinton House in the News

Clinton House celebrates Easter with community

Skilled Nursing Facility Kicks Off Month Dedicated to Cardiovascular Health Awareness

A local rehabilitation and healthcare center hosted its annual Easter festivities at its facility with activities for the youth in the county alongside the residents of the facility.

Clinton House Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center hosted its annual Easter egg hunt and celebration at its location on Freeman Street on Saturday with activities ranging from an Easter egg hunt to face painting. The festivities kicked off with an Easter egg hunt that involved various different age groups searching through over 1,000 eggs for eight coveted golden eggs that would award the recipient with a filled Easter basket.

Hallmark Healthcare of Carlinville residents and staff enjoyed a community-wide Easter celebration and egg hunt with local families on April 8 at Loveless Park in Carlinville. Easter Bunny visits with the residents of Clinton House.

Activity Director Trisha Gillis and Executive Director Tracy Wells stated that 300 eggs were hidden for each age group with an extra 50 eggs hidden for the older age groups. Gillis stated that the turnout for the event was exceptional with every egg being collected within a few minutes.

“It was full. I think almost every parking spot was full. They just kept coming and coming,” said Gillis. “There were 1,000 eggs and they were picked up in two minutes, if that.”

Clinton House received aid from numerous members of the community alongside staff members to create a memorable experience for the youth in the county as well as the residents at Clinton House. Gillis stated that the staff helped operate the snack and face painting station after helping with the filling and distribution of the Easter eggs, and community members supported the event through donations that helped the organization provide more exciting opportunities for the children to explore.

“We had a lot of residents’ families donate the candy so much that we had to come and tell them to stop donating, so that was pretty cool,” said Gillis. “Our Therapy Director is our Easter bunny. He wasn’t given much choice, but he’s being a good sport about it.”

Gillis estimated a total of 100 to 150 children that attended the Easter egg hunt portion of the festivities with many children and families remaining at the facility to experience other activities, such as face painting. The residents of Clinton House also remained as a pivotal aspect of the festivities as they were permitted to roam around the area, enjoying themselves by speaking with their families, the youth of the county and the Easter Bunny.

Gillis stated that the Clinton House staff continued to hide 100 additional eggs inside the facility for the residents to embark on their own Easter egg hunt following the outdoor activities.

“I think I only heard people crying because they didn’t want to leave, so I think they had a really, really good time, especially the ones who are still waiting after the egg hunt so that they could get their face painted,” said Gillis. “I recognized a lot of faces from last year too, so I think they just kind of count on it every year to come back. Some of our residents are out here too, which is super fun. They’re with their families or just enjoying it themselves.”

Clinton House hosted a face painting station following the Easter egg hunt where visitors were allowed to choose between a few designs, including an Easter egg, a bunny face, flowers and more. The line extended toward the parking lot following the initial festivities as children, families and residents prepared to have their faces transformed with face paint.

The Clinton House staff operated the face painting station, allowing visitors to sport the designs without an additional cost as the Clinton House staff practiced their artistic skills with a variety of materials and colors. Gillis stated that the main alteration for next year’s Easter festivities will include an additional face painting station to accommodate the high volume of community members in attendance that were vying for the opportunity to receive a colorful design.

“It’s always been done,” said Gillis. “I was not the activity director last year, but I know that they did it, so I just kind of went with what I knew was the biggest attraction last year.”

Wells stated that the Easter celebration continues to be a welcomed community event for the Clinton House staff and the residents that experience the Easter season through youthful eyes as the children race toward the designated areas in search of candy and prizes. The Clinton House will continue to host its seasonal community celebrations and events, such as the car show that will occur in May.

“We do it every year. We do this, we do the car show, in the fall we have fall festival, at Christmas we’ve got Santa and hot chocolate. Every season we do a community event,” said Wells. “It’s always really great.”

Wells stated that the car show will be hosted toward the end of May and will include snacks, music, cars, awards and more for the community to explore at 809 W. Freeman St. in Frankfort. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

About Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center For more information or to inquire about upcoming events, contact Clinton House at 765-654-8783 or visit the organization on Facebook at Clinton House Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Observes “National Wear Red Day”

Skilled Nursing Facility Kicks Off Month Dedicated to Cardiovascular Health Awareness

Frankfort, Ind. (Feb 27, 2023) - Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the 88-bed skilled nursing facility, joined organizations around the country to celebrate National Wear Red Day on February 3. Observed each year on the first Friday in February, the event is a highlight of American Heart Month, which takes place in February, bringing greater attention to heart disease as a leading cause of death for Americans.

“The Clinton House staff's observance of National Wear Red Day was focused on promoting healthy activities and behaviors for members of the community,” said Tracy Wells, administrator of the facility. “To celebrate, the team will be wearing red on special occasions throughout the month - specifically, shirts for all staff that say 'A Strong Team Beats With 1 Heart.'”

The staff also provided facility residents, referral partners, and the community with stress-reducing squeeze balls and tips to maintain healthy hearts. Clinton House's life coach, Brittany Peters, created special videos sharing healthy heart tips for the community. These are posted on the facility's Facebook page, and offer ideas and reminders for healthy eating, appropriate exercises, and more.

On February 3, staff and residents were encouraged to wear red. Residents wore felt red hearts, enjoyed fresh fruit and vegetables, and learned about the importance of cardiovascular health.

“It's very uplifting for our staff to join together with the community on Wear Red Day to promote healthy hearts and the positive lifestyle changes that can come from improving your well-being,” said Ms. Wells. “These changes can provide immediate benefits, such as boosting your energy level, stamina, and attitude.

Heart Icon

Tips to Boost Your Heart Health

Clinton House recommends these behaviors, suggested by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

  • If you are a smoker, quit
  • Eat for heart health
  • Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week
  • Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose

Additionally, Clinton House offers these fast action tips if a loved one is having a heart emergency:

  • Call 911 first
  • Check breathing; if none, give several rescue breaths
  • Check pulse/heartbeat
  • If there is no heartbeat, perform CPR chest compressions
  • When the person revives, turn them onto one side

About Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is an 88-bed skilled nursing facility in Frankfort, Ind., providing long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, respite care, and a secure memory care unit. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact Wanda Deckard at 765-650-6502 or visit the Clinton House website, https://www.clintonhousehc.com/.

Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Designates 2023 “A Year of Wellness”

Skilled Nursing Facility Holding Themed Events to Encourage Healthy Living Throughout the Year

Feb 22, 2023
Staff Photo

With themes ranging from heart health to beating the heat, Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, the skilled nursing facility here, is launching “A Year of Wellness” to encourage healthy living and productive activity among residents and staff.

Kicking off the year with “Healthy Resolutions," the theme for January, Clinton House canvassed residents and staff, asking them to list some of their own New Year's resolutions. Answers covered a wide range of future ambitions, including:

  • Eat healthier
  • De-stress by spending time in nature
  • Be a better me

“We are providing programs that present these topics in a fun and engaging way, to be effective in raising the health consciousness of residents and staff,” said Tracy Wells, administrator of Clinton House. “By involving everyone in this educational effort, we will be sure to capture their imagination and drive the lessons home more successfully than a single lecture.”

Clinton House has already captured the spirit of the initiative, celebrating the year-opening Health Resolutions theme by celebrating National Popcorn Day and holding a Farmers Market with fresh fruit and vegetables.

The skilled nursing facility is working through a new set of creative programs for February's theme, Heart Health month. This month's initiatives will focus on educating residents and staff about activities and diets that will help protect cardiovascular health.

Future months will address themes ranging from stress management to stroke prevention to making good memories.

Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Helped Make Thanksgiving Special to Those in Need

Skilled Nursing Facility Lends Support to Frankfort Community Center's “Community Thanksgiving Dinner”

Dec 16, 2022

Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center helped make Thanksgiving Day special for those in need, providing meals and good cheer during Frankfort Community Center's annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Along with helping to serve up more than 700 warm dinners, the skilled nursing facility also donated the pies and other grocery items needed to provide the meal.

This year, more than 95 people volunteered their time to help prepare, cook, serve and deliver meals for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Recipients enjoyed ham, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, applesauce and four types of pie (pecan, cherry, apple and pumpkin).

The annual event was also made possible thanks to generous donations from members of the community and The Farmers Bank.

“We serve those in need all year long, but giving back becomes even more meaningful during the holiday season,” said Tracy Wells, Administrator of Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. “The Community Thanksgiving Dinner is a wonderful annual tradition that benefits many in our community, and we were pleased to lend both our time and support to ensure the success of this important local event.”

Thanksgiving Event Photo

Chelsea Nern, of Clinton House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, helped serve meals during Frankfort Community Center's Community Thanksgiving Dinner.