DCC Celebrate Nation Nursing Home Week!

This year during National Nursing Home Week, May 8-14, the DCC visited 12 nursing homes across the DFW metroplex and ventured out to one East Texas.  Arriving  aboard the Dallas Cowboys bus, the ladies were greeted by waving residents and balloons.  One of the senior living staff members said “When the Cheerleaders entered the room, I saw faces of joy, happiness, excitement and smiles that I have not seen in years from many of these residents. DCC engaged with each resident and made them feel like they were the only person in the world.”

At one location, photo above, the DCC sang Happy Birthday (along with everyone else) to a resident who was celebrating her 103 birthday. When someone asked her why she never married, she said, “was always too busy and had things to do.”

At the grand opening of the Haltom City Senior Center, which the DCC have visited for over 12 years, the ladies visited with a Holocaust survivor and listened to her story.  Focused on each and every word Paula said, what started out as a quick picture, lasted almost 15 minutes. She retold her story, some parts tragic, and how she escaped to the US.  Paula had a very exciting life that included being backstage on Broadway and how her friends were able to find distant relatives of hers. This was one of the more emotional visits that DCC has ever had.

“The Cheerleaders made our residents feel valuable. DCC knelt by their side, listened to their stories with interest, let them use their pom poms and simply brought joy into their lives” another staff member commented.  These were not just visits for DCC. The ladies view these as opportunities to make a difference, to make the residents feel valuable and appreciated.  The DCC are genuine with their interest, care and concern for the residents. They laughed with them, and in some cases, they shared a few tears.  This tradition, which began in the 70s, will continue.