Fair Oaks Nursing Home is celebrating National Nursing Home Week this week with a full schedule of events.

Beginning on Sunday, May 8, a Mother's Day Reception was held to honor all the residents who are mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers.

At 10 a.m. Monday morning the residents gathered on the back lawn to witness a proclamation signing recognizing the week as National Nursing Home Week by Judge-Executive Gary Robertson.

Highlighting the morning event with a Balloon Lift-Off, with residents releasing a balloon that held the name of each resident of Fair Oaks, plus contact information. "We encourage anyone who finds a balloon to contact us," said Social Activities Director Carol Newcom.

Later that evening members of local car clubs helped put on a car show. Members of Old Boys Toys, Lake Cumberland Antique Auto Club and The Outsiders, all Russell County car clubs, brought vintage vehicles for the residents to admire and brighten their day.

Celebration of Nursing Home Week is an old tradition in Russell County. "We do it every year, and I've done it every year for the 24 years I've been here," said Newcom, "And it always starts on Mother's Day."

The events continue through the week with an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with music provided by the Higginbothams.

Wednesday was all about celebrating the season as the temperature warms with Fun In the Sun Day. A pizza party will be held at 11 a.m. and Beach Blanket Bingo at 2 p.m.

On Thursday the dedicated employees of Fair Oaks Nursing Home treated themselves, as they Cook Around the Clock for the employee cookout. And that evening the residents favorite event, the tractor show was at 6 p.m.

On Friday the cooking out continued as the residents had a cookout starting at 11 a.m. and it was casual all around as it was also Facility Shirt and Jeans Day.

The weeklong event is enjoyed very much by the residents, but not the residents alone; "It's wonderful," said Newcom. "We have a lot of fun. We have more fun than the patients."

National Nursing Home Week spotlights nursing home residents and staff and encourages all to celebrate those that make a positive difference in their lives every day. A supportive and caring environment, such as a nursing home, provides enrichment for residents and families to continue growing, learning and teaching through various ways. The week also provides an opportunity to honor all those who contribute to our nation's nursing homes - residents, family members, employees and volunteers.

As such, Judge Robertson signed the proclamation with the 2011 theme "Fulfilling the Promise," declaring:

Whereas, all citizens are affected by the nation's rising demand for quality long term care services;

Whereas, we salute our community's citizens now residing in nursing facilities, many of whom planted the seeds that made our community grow and prosper;

Wheareas, nursing facilities provide caring and supportive services that make quality of life possible for our loved ones;

Whereas, member facilities of the American Health Care Association and Kentucky Health Care Association are providing a host of activities in observance of National Nursing Home Week, guided by this year's theme "Fulfilling the Promise," beginning Mother's Day, May 8;

Therefore, do I, Gary D. Robertson, as County Judge Executive of the county of Russell, encourage our community's citizens to honor and serve the individuals who laid the foundations of Russell County by participating in this year's National Nursing Home Week observance at Fair Oaks Health Systems.