Representative Susan Gifford visited the Tremont Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Wareham on Tuesday, May 14, bearing a proclamation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives in honor of nurses.

Her visit commemorated National Skilled Nursing Care Week, which runs from Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18.

Residents and staff gathered in a common area at the care center to celebrate nurses.

“We’re all getting older, and we’re gonna need help at some point in our lives,” said Gifford.

She said several of her relatives spent time in nursing homes, including her mother, who passed away a year ago.

“I have the utmost appreciation for the people who care so much for that they do, and they really make a difference in people’s lives.”

“Thank you for all the work you all do,” Gifford added.

Tremont administrator Scott Nickerson said he was “very proud” of all the work that was done at the facility.

“The CNAs and nurses are very dedicated,” Nickerson said. “It’s been very hard since COVID, because a lot of people kind of backed off… we were really suffering in staff.”

Nickerson said he hopes a lot more people go into nursing.