Orange Grove Rehabilitation Hospital, 12332 Garden Grove Blvd., in Garden Grove, hosted its first of what is planned to become an annual "Harvest Health Fair" Thursday, Nov. 12.
"The purpose of the Harvest Festival was to bring the community of Garden Grove into our facility to share what services we offer, " said Executive Director Darlene Barkau. "We are a skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation hospital."
Barkau said they the organization had several of its health care venders showcasing health care services they offer.
Orange Grove Rehabilitation Hospital, 12332 Garden Grove Blvd., in Garden Grove, hosted its first of what is planned to become an annual "Harvest Health Fair" Thursday, Nov. 12.
"The purpose of the Harvest Festival was to bring the community of Garden Grove into our facility to share what services we offer, " said Executive Director Darlene Barkau. "We are a skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation hospital."
Barkau said they the organization had several of its health care venders showcasing health care services they offer.
"We had Home Health Care Facilities, our community physician Dr. Christopher Holden and Garden Grove Hospital, along with the Garden Grove Police Department; Cal-Optima, which is Med-ical for Orange County; and PACE, just to mention a few, and the Chamber of Commerce and city and other dignitaries were here for a ribbon cutting,.”
Barkau said she felt the event was a great success for both the facility and for the community.
"We will be doing this annually," she said.
She said they wanted to promote that they are a skilled nursing venue and offered that anyone with a few extra minutes during their busy schedule should take time to stop by any of the nursing facilities and just visit for a few moments with some of the patients, even though they might not know them, to help lift the patients’ spirits.
"The aging and elder population need your care and prayers, and visits," she said.
Orange Grove has patients from the age of 45 up to 101 and even though they offer long-term care, three-quarters of their population is in the rehabilitation portion of their facility with fractured hips, cardiac problems, strokes, gunshot wounds and physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Congressman Alan Lowenthal and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez were represented by field representatives Phong Ly and Rida Hamida and Assemblyman Travis Allen and Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do had field representatives Kevin Wen and Kyle Swarts in attendance, each presenting certificates.
Other festivities included live music for entertainment; opportunity drawings and photos with some animals; a pie throwing event; and lunch.
Other facility news includes Darlene Barkau received a "President's Award" from the Southwest Division of Life Care Centers of America at its headquarters in Cleveland, TN, which recognizes distinguished service in a long-term health care management role. The Southwest Division includes 23 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Director of Nursing Renato Hintay was named "Director of Nursing of the Year" for Life Care Centers of America's Southwest Division earlier this year, also in Tennessee.
Orange Grove associates said they start their mornings with a meeting to get energized for the day, which includes a three-minute brain exercise program.
Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but families may enter early by ringing the front doorbell.
