Courtesy photo Ellen Smith, resident of Touch of Country care home, is seen posing in front of the care home’s Christmas tree.

ALPENA – The staff at Touch of Country care home, located in Alpena, do their best during the holiday season to make sure residents have a merry Christmas.

Often, seniors in long-term care homes celebrate the holiday season with other residents and staff away from their own loved ones, which they may find challenging.

Charlotte Vassallo, owner of Touch of Country, told The News that residents don’t experience many changes during the holidays, but the care home does try to share yuletide joy with them.

“In my care home, I don’t see a lot of changes in residents as the holidays approach,” Vassallo said. “But, I believe that’s because we operate as a family here. Although we can’t replicate their families, it seems the residents feel like they’re home.”

Residents at Touch of Country get to look forward to a special Christmas meal like anyone else in the community.

“We will have prime rib with all the usual side dishes for Christmas and lots of desserts,” Vassallo stated. “Also, family and friends always bring in extra goodies to last us all week.”

Vassallo said that her care home tries to make residents feel at home. This year, she said that they are starting a new Christmas tradition with a party that includes both staff and residents.

“In the past I have always done a separate employee Christmas party and then one with residents,” she said. “This year we are starting a new tradition, with one combined Christmas party with staff and residents. We will have pizza, open gifts, and sing carols. The staff and residents are very excited.”

Ellen Smith, of Alpena, is a resident at Touch of Country. She shared some of her Christmas memories.

“The one thing Mother, and my sisters, did every year was bake cookies and make candy,” Smith said. “We made trays to give out to people. I loved it. One year we made 388 dozen cookies and 60 pounds of candy.”

When asked about her spirits around the holidays at the care home, Smith said that she is in the right place.

“I know I can’t live at home,” Smith said. “It is not safe for me. I never wanted anyone to have to take care of me like my father. I am safe here and I like it much better. I decided to be happy.”

“It feels like home,” she added.

For residents there are always good and bad days, no matter the season. Vassallo said that there are contributing factors to the well being of residents, which include their mental and physical health.

“By the time most residents get to the point where they need full-time care, their memory has already faded a lot, so they bond to staff as family much easier,” Vassallo said. “Another reason why it’s so important to treat them as such.”

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.