Do a little for residents, get back a lot, says Kentwood employee
Wednesday September 12, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Sometimes it’s the little things employees in long-term care homes do for residents that make a big difference, says Karen Dance.

Dance, who works in the housekeeping department at Kentwood Park, recalls an incident where a resident had flowers in her room which were dying. So Dance clipped off the ends and put fresh water in the flower pot.

“Two minutes of my time and she was just ever so grateful for that,” she tells the OMNIway.

Another time a resident asked Dance to tidy up her closet and help her separate her clothes. In a long-term care home closet space can be very important to residents, she notes. Dance helped the resident, who was very happy for her help.

Dance has spent 15 years working in the long-term care sector, 10 of which have been at Kentwood Park.

Before taking a career in long-term care, she worked at a knitting shop in Picton. Her boss at the shop, Janice Powell, was also an employee at Picton Manor, a long-term care home.

Powell also worked at Kentwood Park, and when a job opportunity arose at Kentwood, she encouraged Dance to apply, which she did.

The rest is history.

Dance says she only has one regret about working in the long-term care sector.

“I wish I would have started in long-term care when I was 20 years old, because I love it,” she says.

The aspect Dance says she enjoys most about working in long-term care is the close relationships she forms with residents.

Whether they are having a good day or a bad day, residents will confide in Dance, who always makes a point of going above and beyond the call of duty to help them.

“That’s the No. 1 thing; you get really close to these people,” she says, adding that working at Kentwood Park is like working in a home where everyone is family.

Linda Sheppard, Kentwood’s life enrichment co-ordinator, says Dance is a valued employee at the home, adding she’s a favourite with residents and staff.

“She’s very gentle and very approachable,” says Sheppard. “You’re never going to get anything but an open, smiling demeanor from this lady . . . Her gentleness is her strength (because) residents always know how she’s going to respond.”