Employee Spotlight

Q. How long have you been working for SSCHS?

A. It was three years in March.

Q. Can you describe what a typical work day is like for you?

A. Every day is totally different. You never know what kind of day it's going to be. The residents always come first; to make sure their needs are being addressed. I try to help staff dealing with resident behaviours. For example, I'm just putting a newsletter together for the residents. It has a Bingo card inside with a number for each day. At the end of the month there will be a prize. I also organized a photo shoot for the residents for tomorrow. I try to keep them engaged and happy, and make sure there is a change of routine for them. I like to organize activities that get them out with other people, laughing and enjoying themselves.

Q. Who do you interact with the most at work?

A. The residents and the Activation department. We like doing things together for the residents. We like bouncing ideas off each other. They help me with bringing ideas together and vice versa.

Q. How would your co-workers describe you?

A. I'm notorious for being jumpy, I scream whenever someone shows up in my space unannounced. *Laughs. They try to scare me on purpose now. I like to have fun and laugh, and apparently I have a very loud laugh. My co-workers would probably say that I really love the residents too.

Q. What's the best part about your job and working for SSCHS?

A. I like that I have the freedom to be creative in my work. I love being creative. They let me run with my ideas. I can express some of myself in the job.

I like working for SSCHS because it feels like a big family. We all know each other. The residents are like our family for real. The staff here know the residents. There's a lot of connection. It's a special place.

Q. What is one part of your job that might surprise people?

A. I deal with behaviours in residents and part of my job is to figure out what the need is because sometimes people can't communicate with words. Part of it is also educating staff. An example of a behaviour is a resident who refuses baths. I would work with this person and maybe learn that they don't like to be told when to do it so I'll give them a part in the decision making. On bath day, I make a contract and tell the person that it's their bath day. I ask what time they want to take their bath and ask them to sign the contract. I come back at that time and the person doesn't get upset because they got to decide. They had some control. A behaviour could be loneliness or tearfulness too. They're not bad things, they're communications of a need.

Q. What made you decide to get into this field of work?

A. I've always had an interest in helping people. I started out as an RPN, but when this position came open, it piqued my interest because I also have a diploma in social services. A big part of it is also that I had a severely disabled child for 25 years. It opens your heart in a whole different way. I see him in all the residents. I definitely have a soft spot for them.

Q. What are some of your interests outside of work?

A. I love crafts, all kinds of crafts. I love genealogy. I've been researching my family for over 30 years. I also love plants, especially lavender.