I get really tired of all the negative news about nursing homes in the press. Ninety-some percent of nursing homes had deficiencies in 2007, 87 percent of nursing home appeals are won by CMS, blah blah blah. So, we decided to share some great news. Gold has been discovered at the Golden Living Center of Tarboro! And not just 18-karat gold plate, but honest to goodness 24- karat gold.

Golden Living Center of Tarboro was recently honored by Golden Living, Inc. (the national nursing home chain), as one of only four facilities in the U.S. to win the company’s coveted 24-Karat Excellence Award. This is really special to me because my late grandmother spent the last five years of her life there, with Administrator Effie Webb and her staff. My father, who took care of Grandma, thought so much of “Miss Effie,” as he called her, that when I’d come to visit and ask some question about Grandma, he’d say, “I’ve already talked to Miss Effie about that and she says” so and so and so. Then he’d give me that look that said, “And that’s about the end of this discussion.” My daddy always was a good judge of character.

So, with that family history, I was thrilled when Effie asked me to participate in the 24-Karat Excellence Award celebration. Walking through the doors of her facility for the first time in more than 15 years, I was moved and surprised by the memory of how many happy hours I had spent there with Grandma and my late father. It really was a second home for him, since he went there every single day for five years. And he saw the facility as a home for Grandma, which it was.

What a celebration there was that day! The facility was packed with residents, family members, dignitaries (every politician in the state and some from Washington were on hand to share in the festivities), and the press, and, of course, the Golden Living senior national management was there. Even with all that, there was one moment I’ll never forget that still gives me goose bumps when I think about it. Right in the middle of Effie’s opening remarks, with the large dayroom filled with food, balloons, and a standing-room-only crowd, the big doors swung open and in walked, in full uniform, in single file, and straight as arrows, what appeared to be the entire EMS and Sheriff departments of Edgecombe County. It was almost like having a military honor guard, and I was so moved by the fact that these busy people made time to come and honor Effie and her staff and residents. What a tribute!

Perhaps the most remarkable thing, though (even better than the facility staff voluntary gospel choir), was how Effie included her residents in the celebration. She talked about them individually, like you would a family member. The residents sat right up front, looking great, and were obviously as proud of the facility as I was. So, Effie, you go girl! Thanks to you, all your fabulous staff, and the Golden Living company for reminding us all why we do what we do and for helping us celebrate our industry. Congratulations!