Shirley and Mack Assisted Living

I have been working as a medication technician and caregiver at Shirley Assisted Living for four years now, and it has been an incredibly positive experience. I truly love caring for our residents. One of the main reasons I’ve stayed here for so long is the high standard of care provided by the rest of the team; working alongside dedicated staff members like Melissa makes a huge difference, and it’s wonderful to be part of an environment where everyone is so committed. As a team, we ensure that Shirley Assisted Living is a safe, clean, and welcoming environment. We place a big focus on social activities to keep our residents engaged. We regularly organize outside outings, like trips to the park, and we also bring visitors into the facility to host activities based specifically on what the residents enjoy doing. Right now, we are busy preparing for our upcoming Fourth of July celebration! We have a great event planned, including a big cookout for the residents and their families, special performances by children, and a variety of arts and crafts—like painting and coloring—led by one of our volunteers. Of course, caregiving also comes with its challenges, such as handling difficult emotional situations like resident depression or aggression. When a resident is struggling, my approach is always to sit down and talk with them to understand the root cause of what they are feeling. Depending on what they need in that moment, I might help them get on a phone call with their family, or put on some music to help shift their mood. If a resident becomes aggressive, I know it’s important to give them space, step back, and re-approach the interaction with a fresh and gentle perspective. It is all about patience and finding the right way to support them.