The beach comes to Mill Pond

Mill Pond Resident Vernon Abbott enjoyed digging his feet into the beach built for him last week at the facility by the "Never Too Late Program" and Horizen Hospice. He shared his sandy beach with his great grandchildren and other family members.

Mill Pond resident Vernon Abbott told staff members at the nursing home how much he missed walking along the beach and sticking his feet in the sand.

So the group put their heads together with Horizon Hospice and Bob Haverstick with the "Never Too Late Program" to create a beach for Abbott.

"His smile was priceless as he watched his three great-granddaughters bury his feet in the sand as they played," said Mill Pond Director of Resident Services Jayne Harwood.

"He had cousins come see him and enjoyed a picnic-style meal with all the trimmings. They even had homemade pineapple shakes," added Harwood.

The in-house beach was created with fans blowing the breeze through palm trees, a running pond with goldfish, sand, ocean sounds and the scent of coconut and pina coladas.

"The sun was hot and we had to wear sunglasses it was so bright. They used an umbrella table to keep the sun out of their faces as they ate," laughed Harwood.

"The sand is as soft as sugar," said Abbott as he sipped his shake and watched his great grandchildren bury his feet in the sand.

Each of his children received a flowering bush to take home to remember the occasion. Mill Pond also plans to provide the family with an album and video of their day at the beach.