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The Bristol at Tampa Rehabilitation and Nursing Center came in first in the state in FHCA’s Long Term Care Photo Contest, which aims to highlight the daily life in Florida’s outstanding care centers. The image, “#RenewalHappensHere” (at right), prevailed over more than 100 photos to win the annual contest and earn a $500 prize to be used toward resident activities.

Over the period of a few weeks, contest finalists’ photos were displayed on FHCA’s Facebook page, generating more than 6,500 online votes. Palm Garden of Largo in Seminole placed second in the annual contest, earning $300 with the entry, “Love for Amos.” The third-place entry, “Lighting the Menorah,” earned a $200 prize for The Rehabilitation Center at Jupiter Gardens.

“These photos capture the real zest for life present in all of Florida’s skilled nursing centers,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA’s executive director. “The joy of residents, families, and staff comes shining through in these incredible images, which showcase the outstanding quality of life being enjoyed at centers across our state.”

The first-place photo was submitted by The Bristol at Tampa Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, a warm and close-knit subacute CareRite Center proudly serving Tampa and the surrounding area. The photo features James J., a resident who is one of the center’s biggest success stories. A jokester, incredible artist, and active participant in the center’s vast therapeutic recreational program offerings, James shows off his fun-loving nature by posing next to a Suzuki motorcycle. The wheels are owned by the husband of Vincenza Shihada, the center’s director of business development pictured right, who snapped the image. For submitting the top vote-getting photo, the center will receive a $500 award that can be used for any activity to benefit its residents and staff.

“We are so proud of all our residents and their constant accomplishments,” Shihada said. “We knew this photo of Mr. James would be a perfect way to show how renewal truly happens here at The Bristol.”

Second place went to Palm Garden of Largo, with the photo, “Love for Amos,” taken by Annie Johnson, the center’s life enrichment director. In the photo, the lovely Edith is enjoying quality time with the center’s monthly visitor and wonder horse Amos. Johnson knew she had to capture the moment after Edith could barely contain her excitement when Amos walked in.

“I took this photograph to capture the elated emotions Edith had when she initially saw Amos,” Johnson recalled. “For me, this picture represents how much love both Edith and Amos have to share with others.”

Third place went to The Rehabilitation Center at Jupiter Gardens for the photo, “Lighting the Menorah,” taken by Justin Lavian, the center’s director of concierge services and assistant administrator.

This photo shows Frances, a beloved resident and center entrepreneur, lighting a menorah in the center’s community area. Frances is known for the beautiful beads she sells to raise money for supplies in the center’s activity center. “The light on her face was brighter than the menorah itself,” said Lavian, who works to ensure that the center’s residents are fully satisfied with their stay. “You could just tell she was reliving a very dear part of her childhood.”

The annual photo contest is open to photographers who live, work, or volunteer in an FHCA member care center or who work with an FHCA associate member. Winning photographers receive a $50 Visa gift card. Submissions depict daily life in a care center, including health-related services, activities, and events.

The winning photos will be displayed during the FHCA Annual Conference & Trade Show, July 15-19, 2018 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla. To view all the entries from FHCA’s 2018 Photo Contest, click here.

The Broadway mega-smash Hamilton concludes by asking, “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” For those of us who care for others at Florida’s skilled nursing care centers, the answer is clear — the story is told by our cherished residents, whose lives span history from surviving the Great Depression to texting with their grand kids. As our Florida Health Care Association members celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week, we are all reminded that it is the unique life stories, perspectives, and experiences of our residents and the commitment of our outstanding health care professionals that make Florida a national leader in quality long term care.

This profession like no other, simultaneously offering caregivers both a history lesson and a course in tolerance and compassion. The diverse backgrounds, cultures, and views of those who come together to live under the same roof — often in the same room — highlight just how much wisdom and knowledge we can gain by caring for our elders. Florida’s skilled nursing care centers, often referred to as nursing homes, care for over 70,000 seniors and people with disabilities. Each of them has a unique story to tell. In St. Petersburg, one resident’s tale relates the love story that began through an act of heroism, while another resident in Milton is about an earlier life as a master trombone, trumpet, and saxophone player. There is no end to these sagas as they are recounted in the community area of a skilled nursing care center.

FHCA encourages you to stop in and visit one of Florida’s many skilled nursing care centers this week to celebrate the life stories of these residents. While you’re there be sure to thank a caregiver – over 250,000 strong – who are dedicated to making sure these residents are cared for with compassion, dignity and respect. Worlds apart can be brought closer together through the simple sharing of memories.

Submissions are now being accepted for FHCA’s Long Term Care Photo Contest, an annual program designed to capture the special moments of long term caregiving through    photography.  Amateur photographers who live, work   or   volunteer   in   an   FHCA member skilled nursing  center  or  assisted  living  facility  are  invited  to submit  photographs  capturing  the daily  life,  activities  and  loving  care  between residents, families and staff.

Photos should depict some aspect of daily life in your care center. Choose from several themes when submitting your photo – activities and events, holidays, health-related services or portraits. For example, you may want to show residents interacting with staff or participating in activities, therapy or special events. You can showcase any aspect of long term care, from medical professionals to recreational entertainment to support services like housekeeping and dietary. Submissions are due to FHCA by February 28, 2017.

A selection committee will narrow down the top finalists, after which the public will have an opportunity to vote for the winners via the FHCA Facebook page. The center’s photo earning the most Facebook votes will be selected as the Overall Winner and receive a cash prize of $500. Overall second and third place winners will also be chosen based on the Facebook vote, with those top-three centers having an opportunity to use the cash prizes toward a center-wide pizza party, ice cream social or other social event for residents and staff. In addition, the winning photos and narratives will be featured during the FHCA 2018 Annual Conference & Trade Show, which takes place July 15-19 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood.

Learn more about the Long Term Care Photo  Contest  and  submit  your entries here.