Senior Living (memory/assisted)
Psu Capstone Project
ERIKA GONZALEZ TISCARENO(She/Her/Hers)
I've always been a caregiver. From taking care of my sick great-grandmother who died from a stroke to taking care of 50 residents and serving them their daily meals on the weekends. There is something special in being able to care for our elders and give back to those who have lived a long beautiful life and have gained wisdom through their life lessons. I worked for 5 years as a server at The Springs At Wilsonville. This is my journey taking in the perspective out of work and spending one on one time with them through this global pandemic. |
IF OPPORTUNITY DOESN'T COME KNOCKING, BUILD A DOOR
caring for local seniors
The springs at wilsonville
Link: https://youtu.be/HFziDT3Mm4Y
The springs living Goals
- A mission to help people live well with dignity and purpose
- Offer facilities in Oregon and Montana that provide you with the freedom to thrive
- Offer support for everyday life, opportunities to develop friendships, and a safe, caring community
- Focus on supporting individuals in all aspects of life so they can focus on everything that is important to them
- Provide social, physical, and intellectual programs to choose from
- Every day visits with your friends and family - including the grandkids and great-grandkids
historyThe Springs was founded by CEO Fee Stubblefield. This establishment started in 1996 with one goal in mind: quality for our own family. Fee was on a personal quest to find a great place for his grandmother to live comfortably with dignity, and where her family would feel welcome. Today, The Springs Living is headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon, and owns and operates multiple senior living communities across Oregon and Montana.
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@Thespringliving.com
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What does the springs at wilsonville offer? |
Why help your local elders? |
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@Thespringliving.com
@Surpassinglife.com
Importance of Dementia-Alzheimer
Most residents I dealt with in this facility dealt with some form or in the process of the development of Alzheimer disease. This is the the most common type of dementia. This process is when the brain no longer functions properly. Alzheimer’s causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. In the early stage, dementia symptoms may be minimal, but as the disease causes more damage to the brain, symptoms worsen. The rate at which the disease progresses is different for everyone, but on average, people with Alzheimer’s live for eight years after symptoms begin
@Inkermanmedical.com
My reason
This is my Great-Grandma Loretto. She was a huge influence is what made me a caregiver in life. She survived 3 strokes and raised more than half of my family alone. During her last couple of days on earth I promised her I would take care of her till she made it to heaven and told her I would do the same with my grandma Amelia and my mother.
May she rest in peace. 1920-2006
May she rest in peace. 1920-2006
I have also worked at this retirement home from my senior year of high school in 2017 until 2022 when I left to have my baby boy and graduate from PSU. I worked in the kitchen as a server on the weekends. Working here has aloud me to build relationships, make connections, and learn how to manage elders in their time of transition.
@Pinterest
Plan of action
Some of the unmet needs in this facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic is that the residents have been under quarantine for many months and have not had any socialization but the daily med-techs and caregivers. With the new socially distance activities it gives me the opportunity to spend time with them one on one on my breaks and really get to know them personally instead of just feeding them their daily meals.
Through my experience with this local community I planned to exercise the 4 University Studies goals:
Ethics/ Agency/Community: Within the springs living values I planned to use my actions with the elderly and take this experience to learn on the effect it has on not only my community but personally to every single resident
Diversity/Equity/Social Justice: Seek relationships and learn different point of views from each individual
Communication: Be a unified voice, be a good listener, and most of all take away from this experience through shared values
Critical thinking: Learn to ask questions and find ways to help my residents feel less alone
Through my experience with this local community I planned to exercise the 4 University Studies goals:
Ethics/ Agency/Community: Within the springs living values I planned to use my actions with the elderly and take this experience to learn on the effect it has on not only my community but personally to every single resident
Diversity/Equity/Social Justice: Seek relationships and learn different point of views from each individual
Communication: Be a unified voice, be a good listener, and most of all take away from this experience through shared values
Critical thinking: Learn to ask questions and find ways to help my residents feel less alone
@Theosborn.org
Activities
Some of the activities that I helped out with in my community included:
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@ "The Springs At Wilsonville" Facebook Page
Reflection
Taking the time to have simple conversations, a 15 minute walk picking up their favorite flowers, serving them their favorite flavor of ice cream, or even walking them to hear music on a Saturday afternoon, has helped the residents feel the love of someone caring about them. Its easy to feel isolated in a home where you are under supervision all the time. Building relationships with elders that feel lost and depressed was very rewarding because I got to see the smile on their faces. One things I would have done differently is starting sooner, but because I was pregnant the time had to be limited. This experience has drawn me to working with the community even more closely. When I come back, I will have a degree in communication that will hopefully help me get a position in the management team.
@Pinterest