Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce Visit Arabella Nursing Home in Selma

On Thursday, Arabella's Business Development Director Sarah Averette (left), spoke to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and  Tourism Information about  Arabella Health and Wellness of Selma  and the services it provides to the Selma community. During the talk, Averette was joined by the facility’s administrator, Carolyn Davison (right), and Director of Nursing, Latechia Bell ( middle) . | The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information

By Faith Callens

Special to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information

On Thursday, The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information spent the morning learning about the Arabella Health and Wellness of Selma nursing home and the services it provides to the Selma community.

Arabella’s Business Development Director Sarah Averette spoke to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and several community partners about the different sectors of the nursing home, starting with their inpatient rehab unit.

“So, we basically use this [unit] for our short-term patients who come out and need services after having any type of orthopedic surgeries and we also offer rehab for stoke patients as well,” Averette said. “We also work with cardiac patients, and we offer dialysis transportation if there is a patient that needs short term or long-term rehab, they live out in the community and need transportation.”

Averette said the nursing facility also has a van to help take patients back and forth to dialysis appointments and regular doctor visits as well.

“Because, of course, [patients] are going to have follow up appointments after they have a surgery and when they do, they will come back to Arabella and stay with us,” Averette said. “Usually, we try to get everybody in their own private room back here [in this unit] because it’s kind of like a hotel stay when they come.”

Averette also spoke about the facility’s new and upcoming upgrades to the Chamber, saying that the facility plans to continue renovations, and she said it does not stop at the inpatient rehab unit.

“We are working on getting the whole building renovated,” Averette said. “Whenever Arabella took over, that was their main focus to renovate this facility because a long time ago, this whole back unit used to be rehab facility full of patients when it was Warren Manor.”

 The facility also offers respite stays for family members taking care of hospice patients, according to Averette to provide them with a moment of peace.

“Sometimes people just a need a break from home,” Averette said. “Sometimes they just have to get their minds clear or maybe take a mini break and we offer that respite stay for those caregivers as well. This is mainly focused on short-term stays because our goal is for short-term patients to be able to return back to the community and share their perspective on Arabella and our thorough care. As you know, we offer 24/7 care and we have a rehab unit located on the west wing so it’s good access.”

The last pillar of Averette’s talk with the Chamber consisted of her speaking about the activity department that they have for its residents.

“We have about four ladies who work in the activities department,” Averette said. “The activities’ department help the long-term and short-term patients stay active while they continuously get their care from our rehab department.”

As Averette continued talking, the facility’s administrator Carolyn Davison walked into the facility’s dining room alongside the Director of Nursing Latechia Bell to greet the members of the Chamber and its community partners, welcoming them to Arabella.

At the end of Averette’s talk, she opened the dialogue up for questions and allowed everyone who attended the meeting to tour the facility, showcasing Arabella’s new and improved inpatient rehab rooms.

Averette said if there is anyone interested in a tour of the Arabella Health and Wellness nursing home that they are always open to do a tour.  Residents interested can call 334-874-7425 for more information.