Share My Story: Cheers!
October 7, 2019
We love when our team members share their stories, especially when it shows growth within their career at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. Read about Annette Hart and why she has stayed with us for over four years.
“The reason I started working at Oakwood Heights is because of my mom. For five years I took care of her at my home. One day she just became so ill I could no longer do it. I’d heard good things about the Oakwood Heights community, so we brought her here. I was here all of the time with her. I joked, ‘I should get a job, I’m here so much!’ So, I did. When she passed, there was no reason for me to stay. Except, that I loved my job, my co-workers and mostly my residents. We have our ups and downs, but I love everything about Oakwood Heights. I believe that all of my life, God has prepared me for my job.”
Annette is currently the Dining Services Manager at Oakwood Heights.
“There are so many memories. I’m very outgoing so I love to get out there and just have a good time. Today I ran into a lady outside of the kitchen. She asked where I had been as she noticed I hadn’t been out to talk to anyone lately. I told her that I missed her too, but that I have been busy and working different shifts. That made me realize that the residents enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs. I told her that I will get back into the habit of going out at meals, no matter what I have on my desk. She said that she would hold me to that. It’s kind of like the television show Cheers, when I walk in they all say my name. I love that.”
Like Annette, do you have a story about Presbyterian SeniorCare Network that you would like to share? Share My Story is a fun way for team members, residents, and family members to share their personal experience about a moment with our organization that has touched their heart. To share your story, visit www.srcare.org/moments.
Share My Story: Going Above and Beyond
September 13, 2019
We love when our team members share their stories, especially when it shows the passion of our team towards their work.
Read about Carrie Karns and why she has stayed with us for over three years.
“This past Christmas Eve I was able to adjust the schedule to send one of my team members home early, knowing that she was behind on her Christmas preparations. Since we are a small department, that left me to complete the tasks for the day. After returning from a Walmart run for supplies, I had planned to deliver the mail for the day and start my vacation early. Planning to leave at 2 pm, after several interruptions and last minute things happening, it was quickly 4 pm and I had not delivered the mail yet. I went to the main office to discover several packages and 40+ holiday cards that needed delivered. With a small sigh, I began to separate the mail by neighborhoods and started my delivery. I helped several residents open packages and had nearly all of the cards delivered when I came to the last envelope. It was a larger envelope that I could tell had pictures in it. I asked the resident if she would like me to open it and help her read it. With excitement she said, “Yes, I’ve been expecting something from my brother in California.” Upon opening the envelope, I saw a folded up piece of paper, front and back, typed in small print. It was a “year in review” from her brother’s family. I have to be 100% honest, at this point I looked at my watch…’after 5 pm?!’ was what went through my mind. As I began to read I noticed right away how much this Christmas Eve package meant to her. The letter told of their travels abroad and updates on her grandchildren. There was also a hand written note from her brother. As I read the words, so elegantly written to his beloved sister we both began to tear up. She then asked to read it again herself. I sat 10 minutes before desperately wanting to run for my car to enjoy my own Christmas Eve. I now found myself at a loss for time, not worried about MY plans and what I was late for. As I rushed to make it to Christmas Eve service I thought about how I was called to stay late that night, and how much that resident needed me for those 20 minutes. It’s moments like that which define what we do at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network and I am blessed to share my story.”
Carrie has been working at the Oil City campus for over three years as the Director of Lifestyle Engagement. She has found that one of her favorite parts of her work is building connections with the residents at Oakwood Heights.
She says, “I got very close to a resident on our Gardens neighborhood who was withdrawn and spent most of her days reading in her room or sitting in the corner of the lounge doing a puzzle. I’m not sure how, or why, but I started sitting with her every day. Sometimes it was five minutes, sometimes thirty. If a day went by that I didn’t stop over she would send a team member to check on me and make sure that I was okay. She even said to me one day, “I don’t know how we became friends, but we are.” She passed away about 8 months after we became friends. The pastor who did her service spoke about her love of puzzles and made the statement, “It’s not about the puzzles, it’s about the people.” I couldn’t agree more.”
Carrie said that she enjoys making sure that each residents feels special and appreciated by the team members at Oakwood Heights.
Like Carrie, do you have a story about Presbyterian SeniorCare Network that you would like to share? Share My Story is a fun way for team members, residents, and family members to share their personal experience about a moment with our organization that has touched their heart.
To share your story, visit www.srcare.org/moments.
Love What You Do
August 14, 2019
We love when our team members share their stories, especially when it shows how much their work means to them. Read about David Rearick and why he has stayed with us for over 5 years.
“Was it just answering an ad? Honestly, that’s how it all started. Was it perhaps the best ad I ever responded to? Most definitely! As a steel worker for 30 years, I finally retired and got the opportunity to become a licensed embalmer/funeral director. In truth that is all I ever wanted to do. For many, working with the deceased in not their idea of a dream job, but for me it was an honor to make the person look their very best for the last time. Working closely with families at the worst time of their lives was challenging, but rewarding knowing you had made the entire process just a bit easier for them. Unfortunately, I had no family in the “business” so the decision was made to move in another direction.
I had some knowledge in various maintenance aspects and SeniorCare Network needed a maintenance technician close to my home. While being a tech allows for some resident contact, I always envied the manager having a closer relationship with residents and their families. That is what I would strive for with SeniorCare Network. I was very fortunate that someone took that chance and promoted me to the assistant manager position where I not only learned the manager’s responsibilities, but had the opportunity to interact with the residents too. Now as a manager, resident interaction and satisfaction keep me coming back for more! I have made many new friends all of which have one common goal: to be a part of a resident’s life as they age in place.”
David started his career with us as a maintenance technician for one and a half years and worked his way up to becoming a property manager at Forward Shady apartments in Squirrel Hill.
He has enjoyed his time as a property manager saying, “There have been many rewarding experiences while working here. Speaking one-on-one with a resident who knows they may need more help performing activities of daily living, and seeing their contentment and happiness when reassuring them they can continue living in their apartment. One of my favorite things is that there is a very diverse group of residents at Forward Shady. I learn something every day about Russia, which is where many of the residents are from, or the Jewish religion or the Holocaust. If you take the time to speak to the residents, they will amaze you with every story they relate to their lives.”
Like David, do you have a story about Presbyterian SeniorCare Network that you would like to share? Share My Story is a fun way for team members, residents, and family members to share their personal experience about a moment with our organization that has touched their heart. To share your story, visit www.srcare.org/moments.