OHCA's Heroes of Long Term Care program honors individual long-term care employees for their service to residents, the facility, and to their community. Heroes are nominated from long-term care facilities throughout Ohio.

The state’s largest organization representing long-term care facilities has honored a Loudonville, Ohio woman as its February 2013 “Hero of Long-Term Care.”

Jean Snepp, Activity Assistant at Colonial Manor Health Care Center, Loudonville, was selected by the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) as its Hero of Long-Term Care for the month of February 2013.  The organization chooses one long-term care employee each month to honor for their service to long-term caregivers, residents and the community. 

Snepp will be honored at the Association’s 2013 Annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio, and will be featured on the OHCA website (www.ohca.org) during the month of February. 

Linda Snowbarger, Administrator at Colonial Manor, says that Snepp is passionate about serving the facility’s residents and the community.   

“Not only does Jean have the skills and talents necessary to provide meaningful activities for the residents,” said Snowbarger, “she has the natural ability to create an environment conducive to their interests.”

Snepp has worked at Colonial Manor for 4 1/2 years.  In addition to her work at the facility, she is the owner of her own Jewelry company.  Snepp, has had specialized hospice training to serve as a hospice volunteer and as a Hospice Kid Scene Camp Counselor. She is editor of the Hospice newsletter, and volunteers to teach crafts to adults and children in the community.

She also helps residents at Colonial Manor enter their projects in local fairs, where they have won many blue ribbons.

“Jean takes the time to help residents individually depending on their abilities,” said Sue Long, Marketing Director.  “She is always ready to lend a hand to co-workers, and she’s truly a team player.  Her co-workers count on her dependability, as well.”

According to Long, Snepp has brought a  whole new meaning to activities in a nursing facility with her unique and imaginative projects.

“Every facility needs a Jean who is gifted in more ways than one,” said Long.  “She’s a great contributor to the quality of life for the residents of Colonial Manor – that makes her a true Hero of Long Term Care!”

Colonial Manor Health Care Center is a 90-bed skilled nursing facility providing acute care and rehabilitation services, Alzheimer’s and hospice care, and adult day services.  The facility is located at 747 S Mt Vernon Avenue, Loudonville, Ohio, 44842; 419-994-4191.

The Ohio Health Care Association is a non-profit association of more than 800 skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, representing over 50,000 individuals. Many OHCA members also provide a variety of home and community-based services.  OHCA is the largest long-term care association in the state, and the only chartered Ohio affiliate of the American Health Care Association, representing more than 12,000 long-term care facilities nationwide.