National Wear Red Day is meant to be a show of support for women’s cardiovascular health, and this year, 80 communities backed by Marquis Health Consulting Services were seeing red — on staff members and resident clothing and around the buildings themselves.
Marquis partners installed red fluorescent red lights at skilled nursing and senior living facilities across seven states in honor of the annual event on Feb. 2. The initiative stemmed from a simple suggestion, according to Ugochi Opara, regional director of strategic development at Marquis.
“It was actually one of my colleagues that had the idea that we should get exterior lights and it went from there and it caught on,” said Opara. “Everybody had a heads up that this was going to take place and there was excitement all around so it was a big deal for everybody.”
Opara says almost 30 of these facilities have taken courses to become American Heart Association certified for heart failure treatment and those numbers will continue to grow. Organizing participation across 80 facilities was no easy task but it all came together perfectly thanks to the enthusiasm of staff and residents.
“There was a lot of effort on behalf of all teams. It was really just overwhelming to see that everybody participated across the board,” said Opara. “We always have a strong commitment to trying to help keep our communities healthy and remind them about how we can support them or what they can do to support themselves in their cardiovascular health.”
While Heart Month may be over, Opara hopes that the momentum continues through the rest of the year. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Sometimes awareness can save lives.
“The goal is if and when we can help, that we’re [there]. We hope to take care of lots of people from newer onset cardiac issues to a higher complexity need for patients that have more significant cardiac needs,” said Opara. “The goal is that we’re here when you need us and the goal of bringing awareness and attention. It is not just for the month, it’s ongoing as is our commitment to ensuring that we help to take care of people with us we can.”
