By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



More than 100 senior citizens are on a cruise this week without even leaving Gardendale.

To celebrate Alabama Nursing Home Week, residents at Magnolia Ridge nursing home are “boarding a cruise to popular vacation destinations,” said Bridget Hopper, activities director at Magnolia Ridge, formerly called SunBridge Senior Residence.

The facility’s staff and 135 residents are partying with Mickey Mouse in Orlando today.

The residents went to Hawaii Monday and to Mexico Tuesday.

On Thursday, they will go to New Orleans and hear a jazz band and they will visit Texas on Friday, complete with an outdoor cookout and a rodeo.

“They’ve been having a blast,” said Hopper. “Every day we’re giving away prizes and we’re having special themed meals every day.”

Hopper said nursing home week is not only for residents, but also for employees.

“We’re doing this to appreciate our residents and our staff. This is our opportunity to thank the staff for what they do and to also include our residents in everything.”

Gov. Bob Riley signed a proclamation recently designating May 10-16 as Nursing Home Week.

“Alabama’s nursing homes realize that they provide care to a very special group of people, and they work hard every day to provide the best quality of life for their residents,” said Alabama Nursing Home Association executive director Louis Cottrell in a press release.

The week coincides with National Nursing Home Week, which has the theme this year of “Nurturing a Love that Lasts.”

The week is sponsored by the Alabama Nursing Home Association and the American Health Care Association.