Nursing home residents win hearts of millions with new viral TikTok videos
Gainesville Health Care Center residents Linda Klein, left, and Gloria Noah, face off against each other in the “Running with the Times,” game while fellow residents (front left) Nicole Brentise and Allan Piche watch.
All the pretty girls walk like this This group of Gainesville Health Care Center residents and employees are featured in a TikTok video set to the song, “Pretty Girl Walk.” Pictured, from left, front row: Marjorie Fields, Gloria Noah and Opal Ware. Back row: Erica Newsome, Bretlyn Kastning and Inge Twaddle.
Looking for... hot cowboys? GHCC Nursing Director Ashley Thomas, left, and resident Marjorie Fields put together this fun video as an employment advertisement. In the video, after a stern look from Ashley, Marjorie reluctantly turns over her poster to show that they’re actually looking for... new nurses and CNAs.
Bugatti trend GHCC resident Dean Williams participates in the “Bugatti trend” in one video, zooming off the screen in his wheelchair. The video is captioned, “We’re not like regular nursing homes. We’re a cool nursing home.”
Advice for back-to-school Several residents participated in a fun back-to-school video, giving local students advice for the upcoming year. Resident Butch Baxter took a lighthearted approach, saying he’s “21 and counting,” and told the kids they should “play hookie every chance you get.” GHCC Employee Haley Crisp followed with her own advice, “DON’T listen to Butch.”
The residents of Gainesville Health Care Center may have a few more years of wisdom than your average social media influencer, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming overnight TikTok stars.
Their videos are racking up views by the millions, and the residents are loving it.
Now, the community is invited to join in the fun this Thursday at 2:30 p.m., when the residents will give a showing of its most popular video trend “racing with the Times,” a game where they use their feet while seated in a wheelchair to quickly pull in a long length of - you guessed it - pages of the Ozark County Times.
GHCC Nursing Director Ashley Thomas said that she and Registered Nurse Shanna Snelson created the TikTok account as a bright spot for residents and a way for the community to connect with them.
“We were just brainstorming one day about what we could do to bring up morale and get residents and the community more involved in the nursing home,” she said. “Nursing homes are becoming active on TikTok, so we figured why not give it a try.”
After getting approval from GHCC Administrator Sherri Beasley, the pair ran with the new idea.
“We made the TikTok account last Thursday and posted our first video then. We never expected it to blow up like it has. Our first video has 7.2 million views!”
“The residents loved the newspaper activity and were so excited to hear that we put it out for the world to see. They stop us when they see us to ask how many people have seen them on the internet now! It’s really brought a lot of smiles and made them feel seen,” she said.
Both the staff and the residents are embracing their silly side with various videos, and it’s really been a fun way for them to connect in a new way.
Other videos posted to the account include one where Ashley is holding a sign that says “We are looking for...” and then GHCC resident Marjorie Fields is holding another sign that says, “Hot Cowboys,” while smiling wide. Ashley gives her a look, and Marjorie reluctantly turns the sign over to its intended messages “Nurses and CNAs.”
Another video shows some of the women residents with their walkers and wheelchairs walking toward the camera while the song, “Pretty Girls Walk,” plays.
Another video features residents taking part of the “Bugatti trend,” which usually features people sitting on the floor, pretending to drive a car as someone off camera pulls their feet to slide them out of the frame. The GHCC residents use their wheelchairs instead.
“We wanted the world to know nursing homes aren’t some miserable, unhappy prison,” Ashley said. “We wanted them to see that these people are loved and happy and that we have fun.”
Other videos introduce GHCC staff, feature artwork projects at the facility and advice the residents have for local kids heading back to school this year.
“I think it’s really made the residents feel good to know so many people are seeing them and hearing the funny comments. In a sense, it kind of gives them affirmation that they haven’t been forgotten,” Ashley said. “They love the attention, and we’re happy to help them get it.”
To follow along with the GHCC residents on their new social media accounts, visit the “GHCC Nursing Home,” TikTok page or the Gainesville Health Care Center Facebook page. To find out more about GHCC, call the nursing home and rehab center at 417-679-4921.