Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1377097
S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 / W O R K F O R M E 27 living facilities shut their doors to guests to protect their residents from the virus, connecting residents with their families through technology, like Facetime became vitally important. As residents lost access to family members, volunteers, entertainers, instructors and ministers from the com- munity, it fell on activities staff to take on these roles too, which meant getting even more creative. "This pandemic, although a struggle at first, quickly became an opportunity to over- come a challenge of how to move forward and to keep our residents safe and thriving," says Amber Wilson, the life enrichment director at the Enclave of Scarborough and senior director of lifestyles for Enclave's operating company, Bridge Senior Living. Wilson and her staff went from provid- ing group activities to having to meet with residents one-on-one. Enclave employees also increased staff appreciation and sup- port efforts during the pandemic, including thank-you lunches and a "Best version of you" 30-day challenge. "To not only say but to show our as- sociates are valued and appreciated was and is still key," she says and credits the leadership of Enclave Executive Director Caitlin Marsanskis, who she says got them through this difficult time. Grosso says nursing facilities across the state have responded to this challeng- ing time by offering staff access to grief counseling, along with state initiatives like providing a warmline for frontline workers, and pastoral/religious advisors. She also says a solid peer mentoring pro- gram has helped nursing home employees who have "had to endure a lot this year. It's important for facilities to make sure staff have a safe place to share their feel- ings," she says. "The pandemic required an all-hands- on-deck approach," says Grosso. "Folks who work in laundry or dietary, anywhere, were really coming together to do what's needed for residents." There is always a need for these key support staff roles, like housekeeping and dietary, she says. Many of these jobs can be done straight out of high school and for people with an interest in a career in healthcare the opportunities to advance are great. "One thing I think long-term care is good at is the career ladder for people who start out and say 'I love this work' and want to stay," says Grosso. She and Austin both note most healthcare companies offer tuition reimbursement programs, and, for graduates of education programs, many hospitals offer incentives like sign-on bonuses and loan forgiveness as part of recruitment and hiring packages. n H e a l t h C a r e Become a Direct Support Professional and Change Lives! Join our Waban team for the summer or year-round! • Try out a new career! • Flexible shifts for all schedules • Work in a safe & team environment • Paid training provided • No experience necessary summer incentive for 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, Maine waban.org facebook.com/wabanprojects A P P L Y N O W : waban.org/careers or 207.324.7955 Folks who work in laundry or dietary, anywhere, were really coming together to do what's needed for residents. — Nadine Grosso Maine Health Care Association