Father and son Veterans enjoy a holiday visit together at the Wilmington VA Community Living Center.
Williams Ellsworth Jr. praised staff during his holiday visit with his father Vietnam Veteran Williams Ellsworth Sr. at the Wilmington VA Medical Center’s Community Living Center (CLC), where Ellsworth Sr. resides
“Me seeing my dad helps me, and the staff because everyone can see he is being cared for,” said Ellsworth Jr.
Ellsworth Jr. tries to visit his father often, especially around big holidays and events. During visits, Ellsworth Jr. will take his dad to visit family and during his father’s birthday in August, he took him to an Eagles game. They also enjoy spending quality time together during their visits at the CLC.
The CLC is a VA nursing home that provides short-term and in rare instances long-term care. The mission of the CLC is to restore each Veteran to his or her highest level of well-being. The CLC’s goal is to make each Veteran feel at home and provide Veterans with medical care, skilled nursing, and assist in daily living activities.
“I get excellent care here in the CLC, said Ellsworth Sr. “I love the activities at the CLC and even though I can’t hold a tune, I like being a part of the choir.”
Both Ellsworth’s retired from the U. S. Army. Ellsworth Sr. retired as a sergeant first class and Ellsworth Jr. retired at the rank of Major.
“I joined the military because of my dad,” said Ellsworth Jr. “He did his 20 years and I wanted to do mine. I got my master’s degree due to the foundation I had growing up in the military.”
After following in his dads footsteps, back home, Ellsworth Jr. was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame for his efforts towards preventing Veteran suicide through his nonprofit, “Veterans Counseling Veterans.”
Wilmington VA social worker Chardae Burton and nurse practitioner Patricia Gagnon work closely with Ellsworth Sr. to ensure his needs are met.
“I meet with Veteran Williams quarterly. He stops by my office daily to discuss life, his war stories, and he is very pleasant and has a great sense of humor,” said Burton. “His son is always in contact with me about his dad's well-being.”
“Social worker, Chardae Burton, has been very accommodating when I come to visit,” said Ellsworth Jr. “My father’s nurse, Patricia Gagnon, keeps me informed and plays a role in helping me and my dad’s relationship.”
If you would like to learn more about the VA Community Living Centers visit Community Living Centers (VA Nursing Homes) - Geriatrics and Extended Care