This Never Gets Old: A Staff Perspective.
This never gets old. It’s a thought that may have popped into your consciousness while in the midst of doing something you love. You suddenly look up, take a deep breath, recognize the beauty of the moment, and feel a warm wave of perspective and gratitude wash over you.
Here at Edenwald, we recently embraced that feeling with a new marketing tagline, “This never gets old.” It accurately reflects the quest for lifelong learning and personal growth that our residents and staff embrace every day. Some of our staff members recently shared their thoughts on what keeps daily life at Edenwald so vibrant and rewarding, and what—for them—never gets old.
More than just a job.
When Edenwald President and CEO Mark Beggs was in college, he had an experience that would shape his professional destiny. “I was living in a group home with three elderly gentlemen. I was our home manager, and we planned our lives together. We made menus, shopped, cooked, and cleaned. They went off to work; I went off to class. It was the day-to-day experience of sharing with others that I loved,” he says. “Planning and working together to create a meaningful life. It’s why I do what I do 38 years later. This never gets old.”
Edenwald residents come from a wide variety of backgrounds and bring a wealth of experiences to our community. They can teach us myriad lessons, and one of our nurses, Aira Bautista-O’Donnell, relishes that. “I have always gravitated towards older people; I think it is because of my grandfather, who loved storytelling. In my years as a nurse, I have treasured sitting and hearing stories from the residents’ past and visions of life during their time. Creating real relationships by sitting and sharing stories is one of the things that fills my heart as a nurse. This never gets old.”
Alan Reynolds, our director of culinary services, spent most of his career working in hotels, resorts, and conference centers. It’s only been in the last 10 years that he has found a home in senior living. The difference is palpable. “Instead of customers, in senior living, we have residents or friends. I have had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and friendships with so many residents,” he says.
Alan also credits his time working with seniors for helping him succeed in a role he wasn’t expecting, as a caregiver to his aging parents. “My engagement with seniors has taught me compassion and patience, and brought me happiness over the last 10 years, and now I can express that with my parents. My time in senior living has truly been a blessing.” For Alan, this never gets old.
Making a difference in someone’s life can be profoundly rewarding. Edenwald director of nursing Lori Wolford has worked in healthcare for over 30 years, mostly in senior living communities. “Knowing that the work that I am doing could have a positive impact on others is more rewarding than I can ever express,” she says. “I love coming to work every day and building relationships with the residents and their families. This never gets old.”
“I began working in aging services right out of high school as a GNA [Geriatric Nurse Assistant],” Lisha Galloway, our vice president of resident services and IHE programming, says. “While I initially dreamed of pursuing a career as an RN [Resident Nurse], the path I took led me to other opportunities within this field. Along the way, I have gained experience in various areas, from nursing and programming to earning a degree in social work and stepping into leadership. From the people I work with to those I serve, my journey proves that this never gets old.”
The Edenwald evolution continues.
As stimulating as life at Edenwald is today, our planned expansion onto the campus of our next-door neighbor, Goucher College, will make for even more unique experiences in the future. At the physical center of the initiative will be three towers with 127 spacious, contemporary residences, but the true heart of the venture will be our evolution into a college-enriched senior living community, the first of its kind in the state. Edenwald residents will have unprecedented access to intergenerational educational and cultural opportunities, including auditing college classes, attending lectures, using the campus library, and even taking study abroad trips.
What never gets old for you?
As you can see in these reflections from our staff members, determining what never gets old is a very personal matter. Different aspects of Edenwald living will appeal to different individuals. All the more reason why it makes sense to schedule a visit to Edenwald and discover what never gets old for you. Call 410-339-6263 today.
