VETERANS
dence, Heathman says many of the younger veterans face far
more substantial health challenges than he. A special wing for
dementia patients is slated to open soon.
“Most of the guys don’t communicate well,” Blakey says.
“There are three or four Dad can really communicate with.
But Dad, an accomplished artist, does a painting for every veteran
who comes in based on their specific branch of service.”
She says this personal touch and special gift of love from
another veteran is met with much gratitude from new residents
and their families.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Heathman says the staff is wonderful and feels like an extended
family, and he was touched when they created a special
studio area where he could comfortably paint. He is particularly
ANTHONY INSWASTY
Heathman, an accomplished artist, creates a painting for new residents to
welcome them and celebrate their service.
30 Port St. Lucie Magazine
happy with the level of care and kindness exhibited
by the home’s director, Rogers, who, he says, sets the tone
for the outstanding service that everyone else provides. Since
arriving, Heathman has created a special piece of artwork to
celebrate each passing holiday, which staff reproduces as flyers
and shares with all the residents and department heads as
part of the normal communications through the home.
“I can’t think of a downside to living here,” Heathman says.
“The upside is the camaraderie and the outstanding service.”
Though most of the rooms include a roommate, Heathman
says the wall between the sleeping areas provides privacy
and comfort. And though he is a full-time resident and enjoys
engaging in the activities and special events provided for
residents, Heathman says going out into the community for
shopping, visiting, and any appointments is as simple as
letting the staff know he wants to go somewhere. Because
his daughter lives nearby, he also joins her and her family for
dinners out and special outings, too.
After serving his country and living a life of integrity and
service, Heathman says it’s good to be home at the nursing
center where he says he feels safe and that the staff members
truly care for his happiness and well-being.
“I would absolutely recommend the place because I feel at
home there,” says Heathman.
He is confident that his decision has not only benefited him
but put his daughter’s mind at ease, too, and at any age, there
is little that makes a loving father happier than pleasing his
family. E
STEVE MURRAY
Heathman thinks his new home has a hotel feel with its wooden floors and
space to entertain family and friends.
dence Day — an ironic coincidence not lost on the sharpwitted
Heathman.
“As I walked in with my walker,” he says, “it was like the
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; everyone was lined up
along the corridor to welcome and applaud me. It was a big
surprise and very emotional.”
His daughter, who had experienced some trepidation with
her dad’s decision, despite knowing in her heart that it was
the right decision, echoed her father’s feelings about those
first moments in his new home.
“I was OK with him moving because it was his idea and
he was OK with it,” Blakey says. “It had gotten to a point
where we both knew he might need a little extra help. When I
saw all the nurses and staff lined up to welcome him, clapping,
I nearly lost it. It was just a really emotional moment
for us and bittersweet because I knew I didn’t have to worry
so much, but knowing that he would not be returning to the
house my parents lived in was poignant.”
FEELS LIKE A HOTEL
Since becoming the first resident in July, Heathman has been
joined by several other veterans at the center. “Each home has
20 beds, and we can house a maximum of 120 veterans here,”
Heathman says. “My room is bigger than a hospital room and
smaller than a house, but the facility itself is really amazing
and beautiful. It’s massive and doesn’t look at all like a nursing
home. It has a bit of a hotel feel, with wood floors and lots
of space for me to entertain family and friends.”
Heathman says the facility has lots of extras, too, including
libraries in each wing, a pool table and virtual reality area,
designed to help aid with relaxation and to benefit those with
post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. “They provide three
meals a day,” Heathman says, adding with a laugh, “and they
are getting better at it.”
“Having passed our two recent surveys, we are now VAcontracted
and Medicare/Medicaid-approved. We will continue
to grow the census as long as we have staff to provide
care and services,” says administrator Donna Rogers.
Heathman says all branches of service but the Air Force are
represented at the home so far. As a veteran of both the Army
and the Navy, Heathman says he does his best to represent.
The center is ramping up to house the maximum number
of veterans, but is taking its time to ensure quality care and
service. And though he is one of the senior veterans in resi-