Being at home with a virus for now two days is miserable. I miss my WindSong family so very much. So what to with that longing. Work my friends, work. Look at some pictures, send some emails, blog and read one of Dr. Camps books.
Reflecting on myself and my work family it makes me realize how lucky I am. Memory Care definitely changed the course of my life in so many ways. Let me tell you my story and why “I am on a mission”.
My story begins early spring of 2016. Chatting with a friend who at the time was doing in home care for seniors I told her I needed something different to do when I was not selling houses. Two weeks later I met Lee. Lee and her family hired me to help Lee with her household, personal and shopping needs. Lee and I became fast friends and confidants. Within a year it became evident that Lee was on a new journey with Dementia. It had worsened. I followed Lee at the request of her family into a Memory Care facility. Within weeks I knew that this was were I belonged. Starting as a resident care giver and moving into the Activity Director position felt even more right.
Lee taught me to love in a completely different way than I had ever experienced. She shared her thoughts, her concerns, her family and most of all herself with me. She never judged anyone and never understood why people shied away from her. She was honest with me about how she wanted to be cared for and what she did and did not like. She truly was my friend and changed my life forever. She passed almost a year ago and I still miss the conversations we used to have. Thank you Lee for everything you did for me and for teaching me about Dementia.
Now in late 2018 here I am working in a community that allows me to make a difference instead of just going with the flow. We are a community that is thriving and always changing. Our community is run on people centered care. At WindSong we strive to have a resident structured and resident run community. Working with the Montessori class room model makes such a difference in how we all view Memory Care. As Life Enrichment Coordinator in the community I get to spend so much wonderful time with the residents and also their families. This is the most rewarding thing that I have ever done and yes “I am on a mission”.
My mission is to change the way the world sees people with Dementia of all forms. We are humans who have lived wonderful successful lives and have so much left to teach and share. I am not sure if I want so badly for the way people see Dementia for myself or for a family member but I will see it change. We are in the midst of a quite revolution and I am going to be a part of it. Yes I am passionate yes I cry sometimes yes I am afraid sometimes but I am always filled with the most unconditional love I have ever had. So yes I will stick with my mission and yes I will do everything in my power to make a difference.
WindSong at Northridge
Life Enrichment Coordinator
Nancy