Life is Worth Living
Do you ever wish something was different in your life? Do you ever try to change your circumstances if at all possible to make something different happen?
Here at North Shore Living circumstances are what they are, but there’s always hope. Residents are living here because something has happened in their lives that has brought them here such as a stroke, dementia or physical limitations. Our residents still enjoy their days doing what they are able to do that they enjoy. Residents are grateful to have kind caring staff to take care of them. Our residents are like family to us. Residents that don’t have family nearby or don’t have family at all are often adopted by staff. A resident may need new clothes, hair products or even have their hair curled, it’s staff to the rescue. Staff at North Shore Living go the extra mile to care for our residents. Often times when I am walking past rooms a resident is getting their legs rubs, their hair curled or simply listened to.
I have spent five of the last ten years working at North Shore Living as an Activity Assistant. I was promoted to Activity Director in 2020. Being an Activity Director is what I was created for. I have loved this job immensely. I have loved my coworkers, my staff, my volunteers and most importantly the residents. I was working when Covid-19 hit and had to figure out how to manage Bingo by playing from their rooms using phones with staff to get the Bingo ball numbers reiterated. We played games using our own set of dice and other activities socially distanced. When family members wanted to visit with residents and couldn’t come in to our facility we started window visits and scheduled FaceTime. Christmas was a real bummer with the residents having to stay in their rooms. Santa still visited them with gifts provided by staff, family and volunteers.
It Has Been a Joy
It has been a joy spending time at North Shore Living, but due to a health condition I do not feel I can do my job to the best North Shore Health needs me to do so I am sadly hanging up my badge. Friday, July 5th will be my last day of work for the time being. I want to thank everyone at North Shore Health and thank my friends who no longer work here for your love towards me and the residents. Thank you Hilja and Marice for stepping in when I haven’t been able to. Thank you to leadership, nursing staff and HUC’s for your excellent assistance in getting residents to activities. Thank you Kimber for stepping in on a moment’s notice. Thank you so much to all our wonderful volunteers. I can’t thank you enough for all the quality, kindness and joy you bring to the residents and staff. We couldn’t do this without you.
There is hope and I hope to be able to return to work in the future. Miss Molly also wants to say thank you for all the pets and hugs she’s been given over the years. This is Carrie Framsted’ s last month of work as she will be reretiring.t I want to thank her for being my right hand woman for the past year plus.
Residents are still enjoying Bingo, drinking coffee and are thankful to be able to go out on the patio on the few days it doesn’t rain. Char Anderson celebrated her birthday and we have gained a few new friends lately.
Remember “Old Age Ain’t For Sissies”, there’s always hope and stop by to share some time, coffee and love with our residents. Thank you all so much for reading my articles and telling me good job when you have seen me. That has meant a lot. Until next time. Peace Out. Lisa A Bloomquist signing off.