Trish Baird & Merry Snider - roles of RPN & PSW in senior living, relationships and grief

Episode #16 - A conversation with two people who are the strong threads that bind this quilt of a caring community together.  Celebrating team members at Schlegel Villages during Caregivers' Week we welcome Trish Baird from The Village at University Gates and Merry Snider from The Village of Winston Park.

Trish began as a Personal Support Worker and is currently a Registered Practical Nurse at The Village at University Gates in Waterloo.  'Behind every great nurse, there is a running PSW'.  She shares the differences between an RPN and a PSW, but both rely on each other to fully take care of each resident.

Merry, found her calling to the PSW role working with seniors through her relationship with her great-grandmother.  Learning the history of seniors she cares for allows her to better care for them. "Seniors give me joy, they give me so much comfort" - Merry Snider

A holistic approach to living where every team member is involved.  What is best for the resident, asking; how would you like this done? what would you like today?  what would you like to do today?  Verbal and non-verbal communication, and building a lot of trust with each resident.

Working in senior care: how do you deal with the connections you make and how do you deal with the loss?

Learn about the Dignity Walk that happens across Schlegel Villages when a resident passes away and experienced grief.

Trish & Merry share advice to those interested in starting their career in senior living. 

"We do it for those tiny moments of a nice warm handhold, a smile or a gesture that you take with you." -Trish Baird, RPN

"There's a way and then there's a Schlegel way" -Merry Snider

"You exemplify the culture of Schlegel Villages, where people are important." -Lloyd Hetherington to Merry & Trish

CULTIVATE THE ULTIMATE TEAM MEMBER EXPERIENCE

At Schlegel Villages, we have an amazing culture that stellar team members want to be a part of. We care about our team members as much as we care about our residents. As one family, we learn, grow, and move forward together. We are passionate and find fulfillment in making a difference in people’s lives. Our caring community honours and encourages well-being, and team members are appreciated in personally meaningful ways. Through mentorship, ongoing support, and education we are empowered to go beyond the status quo, and unleash our full potential.
“You can be you while being a part of our family.”

For more information about working at Schlegel Villages visit schlegelvillages.com/opportunities

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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.

It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.

"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel

This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.

#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
 Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
 Learn more about co-host, Lloyd Hetherington
 Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca