THOMPSON'S CELEBRATE 40 YEARS RUNNING DEAL NURSING HOME

Billy and Alice Thompson purchased the Deal Nursing Home in Jackson July 1, 1956. They celebrated their 40th anniversary running Deal Nursing Home on Saturday.

The Thompson's decided to couple the anniversary with their annual barbecue.

The celebration brought former workers and family members of former residents together.

There was square dancing, barbecue, and music.

In 1956, the couple purchased the nursing home from Bill Thompson's mother and step father.

Bill said he was trying to make a living and never imagined he would still be running the nursing home 40 years later.

The nursing home had 30 beds at that time. In 1956, the Thompson's added 13 beds. In 1964, they decided more beds were needed and added 32 more.

That brought the number of beds up to 75, which is how many beds the nursing home has today.

Bill said that in 1956 the regulations for a nursing home were printed on one page front and back.

"Regulations have been the biggest change," he said. The regulations have grown in the past 40 years, and now they are printed in a book.

In 1959, Bill enrolled in the SEMO University nursing program. Bill graduated the first male R.N. from SEMO in 1962.

Bill said that the second biggest change over the past 40 years has been the patients weren't as ill then as they are today.

Modern medical technology keeps patients alive longer today. Thompson said that in the past people would die from diseases that today are treatable.

Many of the patients today have multiple illnesses, Thompson said.

He also added that he roughly estimates the average age of the residents have increased from an average of 70-72 in 1956 to about 82 today.

Thompson said that he has received many cards in the past from families thanking the nursing home for the care they gave.

"I'd say the majority of the customers were satisfied with our services," he added.

After 40 years, Bill said he has never looked forward to retirement.

"I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I retired," he said.

The Thompsons have cared for thousands of residents in the past 40 years and Bill said he would keep on, "until I wear out."