Resident life

No one resides inside room 218 at the Mercy Health and Rehabilitation Center. But every Friday afternoon, there's a line of men and women waiting in the hallway for their chance to visit.

Since opening its doors on Friday, Sept. 8, the We Can Make a Difference Resident Store has offered Mercy's elderly community a shopping experience within the walls of its home. From 2 to 5 p.m. every Friday, residents can browse the store's wide array of items that includes jewelry, clothing, stuffed animals and books. They do not pay for their purchases, but they are limited to four selections every month.

“Sometimes they just like to window-shop too,” said Sandy Mahoski, Mercy's MDS specialist and medical records coordinator. “They all love the jewelry, even the guys.”