Seniors relive their Glory Days

The Tennessee Health Care Association (THCA)/Tennessee Center for Assisted Living (TNCAL) has named Pearl Steward and Edward Hays, residents at Woodbury Health Center, to its annual Who's Who in Tennessee Long-term Care. Honorees in this year's Who's Who recognition program include military heroes, educators, entertainers and other elders living in THCA/TNCAL member nursing homes and assisted living communities statewide.

Steward was a cook for legislator Jim Cummings and met many influential people through this position. Stewart has traveled to most of the 50 states and to Europe, but her proudest accomplishment is raising her daughter, Virginia, and spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Hays served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. In the 1950s, he started working at the DeKalb Telephone Cooperative as an engineer and retired from there in 1991. He and his wife, Martha, recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

Both Steward and Hays will receive a Who's Who certificate of achievement during National Nursing Home Week, May 12-18, an event celebrating the staff, residents, volunteers and family members who contribute to the quality of life for those living in our nation's long-term care facilities. His profile will also be featured on THCA's website, www.thca.org.

"This year, our theme was 'Glory Days,' and we asked our caregivers to help our residents relive the great times in their lives," THCA Executive Director Jesse Samples said. "It is a privilege to recognize these men and women for their accomplishments. They have made many notable contributions to their communities and touched the lives of all who have known them."

Since 1983, the Who's Who in Tennessee Long-term Care program has recognized almost 2,000 outstanding individuals living in THCA/TNCAL member facilities who have made noteworthy contributions to society and helped to shape history through their actions.

Woodbury Health Center is a member of THCA/TNCAL, a nonprofit organization whose members include senior living communities throughout the state. For more information on long-term care in Tennessee, visit www.thca.org.