CALA News & Views | Issue 46 | Relationships

News and Views recently asked these 2022 Award recipients to find out what tips they can offer to others. Here is what these impressive individuals had to say. News and Views: What tips do you have for building a relationship with the residents you serve? Jennifer: Be present. Taking time daily to engage with your residents is of the utmost importance to creating good, trusting relationships. Make sure those engagements are personal by listening and sharing. Geraldine: Over the years I have seen the importance of building a

relationship with the residents that I serve. In order to build these relationships, I found that talking to the residents and understanding their background and preferences helps. Really listening to the residents and not just being there for the tasks helps as well. Maria: The most important is taking the time to get to know them one-on-one, and building that special relationship. Also, having a true passion for the work that you do, appreciating everything that the residents have contributed to all of us in the society when they were younger and continue doing. Listening to their needs and continue making their dreams come true. Treating them with respect and dignity. News and Views: What have you learned in your time as a senior living employee about the importance of relationships? Jennifer: Having started as a caregiver almost 15 years ago, I’ve learned that while this is my work, I am in my resident’s home and the relationships I have with them are as important as that of their families. Residents need to be able to trust me and know that I am an advocate for them as much as I work in their community.

Geraldine: Relationships with the residents are very important because it puts residents at ease when you are providing care. It decreases any anxiety that they may have, which makes them more comfortable to receive care or help from you. Maria: Having the residents’ trust, having the residents feel like they belong to a family, and making them feel that they are truly at home. News and Views: What is your personal philosophy of care? Maria: Having the residents feel independent and having their freedom of choice. Assisting residents while maintaining their dignity and privacy. News and Views: What advice do you give to new employees? Jennifer: Create a positive kindness bubble. I tell and show my employees daily that I live surrounded by that bubble. And I find that bubbles tend to envelope those around me [and] that it touches and creates a positive environment that I am much happier to work and live in. Geraldine: My advice to new employees is to talk to the residents to understand their wants and needs. Learning how to do the tasks is only part of the job. If the residents are not comfortable with you, the residents may refuse service or may make the task that you are trying to complete more difficult. Maria: To have respect, compassion, kindness and to give 100 percent. To treat our residents as they would like to be treated. Life is a boomerang. Everything comes back. News and Views: How do you get co-workers involved in bigger projects over and above the daily service and care? Maria: Building trust is very important. You have to be a respectful, honest, and a supportive manager. Give them individual attention, listen to their needs, and recognize them when they have done something good. Share with them positive feedback to motivate them. Show them appreciation all the time.

CALA NEWS & VIEWS I ISSUE 46 | APRIL 2023

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