Northern Nevada State Veterans Home Update – First Resident Is a Woman Veteran, WWII Navy Nurse

By Terri Hendry
(Sparks, NV) – Carol “Connie" McGee grinned as an oversized balloon slowly drifted above and over her wheelchair. She raised her arms, gave a hearty, “ha!” before shocking everyone. Her arms came down with such force, the balloon zoomed across the room catching Activities Director John Young off guard. The bright orange balloon bounced off his face and hit the floor below.

He gave a loud hoot, “Dang,” he said.  The 96-year-old smiled back at him, “Weren’t you ready?”

McGee is among the first of seven residents to call the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks, their home. The balloon game is just one of many activities now becoming part of a new daily routine. McGee’s eyes light up as she slaps the balloon back to Young and talks about her days in the military. She is proud to have served in the U.S. Navy, as a nurse during WWII.

The home began accepting a limited number of residents in mid-June as part of the lengthy accreditation process for a skilled-nursing care facility. Additional residents will be phased-in over the next few months as the home demonstrates to State and federal regulatory agencies its ability to care for the residents.

The 96-bed skilled-nursing care facility offers the highest level of care serving veterans, their spouse and Gold Star parents. Each resident will have their own private room and share a den, living room and kitchen with 15 other residents. The “Town Hall” has a restaurant, coffee bistro, sports bar, therapy gym, barber/beauty shop, general commissary store, as well as parade grounds for military and patriotic ceremonies.

For more information on the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home or admissions, please call Sandi TenBoer at 775-339-4921 or email Sandra.tenboer@nnsvh.com