We have amazing caregivers at our assisted living memory care homes. They provide around-the-clock care for our lovely residents.
As we move into our “new” daily lives, our purpose becomes at the front of all our minds and our daily decisions.
Together, we create special moments for our residents and loving memories for our families.
We are excited to bring the moments back into our residents’ lives and include the families as much as possible in our daily lives. Think back to a year ago with no visitation, every day being fearful with no dependable testing, no vaccines, the unknown was the fear.
Words from an Applewood Our House Care Team Member
When I came to work for Applewood Our House Assisted Living Memory Care Homes last summer, I was so excited to be joining a group of people who truly cared about their residents. I loved the family-like way that the staff behaved and adored our unique memory care residents. However, one thing that broke my heart was that I wouldn’t be getting to make new memories with my residents on outings.
I came in August at the height of the pandemic, and at that moment, getting on the little white bus and going anywhere at all seemed like an impossibility. For me, it was nine months of waiting, hoping, and praying that things would get better.
I lost residents close to my heart, some from COVID and some from health issues. With every passing, a thought would play in my mind: “I wish they could have just made it to our first outing.”
It may have been a year to me, but this year has felt like a decade for our residents. They haven’t left the address they reside at for OVER A YEAR!
It’s no wonder we saw a rise in behavioral issues. I’d have behavioral issues too if I couldn’t leave my house or touch my loved ones!
That all changed on Friday. On Friday, I could only bask in the sheer joy that Yank’s residents had getting on that little white bus. We didn’t even get off at Andy’s to pick up our ice cream, and still, the excitement permeated the air!
I was left on bus duty while others went to pick out the ice cream. Residents were eagerly peering through the windows to see the hills, businesses, and cars around us. They hadn’t seen a Shake Shack or a McDonalds in so long that more than one of them went “oh! I know that place!” excitedly.
Because when you’re feeling a type of joy you haven’t had in a year, even McDonalds can light you up.
Getting on that bus on Friday, I was practically floating. But as I sat down next to my Ruthie and put my seat belt on, I felt the souls of Papa Frank, Sheila, Evelyn, Carrie, Ginny, Edie, Laura, John, and all of our beloved residents who didn’t get this moment weighing on me, in my chest.
Our residents still haven’t calmed down from Friday. They have been more social with each other than I’ve seen since I started at AOH. We have two new burgeoning friendships that began Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. They all slept in on Saturday morning, worn out from the excitement and the sunshine, but once they got up, we were dancing and full of energy. They all wanted to eat lunch in the backyard—so we did! That energy still surrounds them, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed.
I’ve spent a lot of this post talking about myself and my feelings, but I want to highlight how much of a delight it is to work at a company that is pushing for our residents to safely re-enter the community that they live in. I cannot wait until our next outing, and neither can they. 💚 From Our House to yours, we send our love!
So happy that I could help make this happen. Like you, I feel so happy and fulfilled with purpose in my life. Seeing those happy faces full of chocolate was everything for me … we danced, we laughed and enjoyed, and I can’t wait for the next outing.
