Around this time of year, we are reminded of all the reasons we have to be thankful, so we thought it was only fitting to share some of the reasons residents and employees at Gardant communities believe this is their season of gratitude.
At Deer Path of Huntley, our affordable assisted living community that serves adults ages 22 to 64 with physical disabilities, we had three residents share reasons they are thankful this year:
“I’m thankful for being here at Deer Path because it’s been a new start for me. Not only am I a help to the Activity Department, but I am thankful I can encourage others. I’m thankful for Sean, my boyfriend (and fellow Deer Path resident). We’re wonderful together. Though we both have physical issues, we work well together as a team. It doesn’t matter if one of us is down; we help one another all the time.” – Nico Smith
“Three things I am thankful for this year are: Deer Path, my sister, Mary, and Michael, my best friend. I came to Deer Path to be able to maintain my independence instead of using all my energy for cleaning house, cooking, and doing laundry. I can now do things I enjoy like participating in activities and volunteering to help others. I also have become much stronger since being here due to having more time for exercise. Deer Path is what you make it, and I am choosing to have fun!” – Kathy Haberkorn
“I am very happy to be at Deer Path because I have made friends. I’m also more independent and can participate in activities. I’m happy to have the CNAs help me. Nobody bullies me or makes fun of me. Three things I’m thankful for this year are: my sister, Jude; my friend, Kathy; and Deer Path.” – Mike Rosanova
John Evans Supportive Living, the senior living community Gardant manages in Pekin, Illinois, shared these testimonials from residents who reflected on reasons they have to be thankful:
“I am thankful for the people, this community and not being alone.” – Cynthia Xanos
“I am thankful I don’t have to cook, for the good care I receive and the people here.” – Rosalie Taylor
“The food is wonderful. The facility is clean, and the people are friendly. I’m thankful for such a great place to live.” – Betty Humberd
The residents and staff from White Oaks at Spring Street, one of our memory care communities in South Elgin, said they are thankful for:
- “White Oaks because I have friends here, the staff is helpful, and the food is good.” – Dale Block
- “my new home because I’m closer to my sisters, and I like the people here; they are very nice.” – Betty Carpenter
- “my job because I get to be a part of the residents’ lives.”- Yadira Mendoza
- “White Oaks at Spring Street. I enjoy many of the activities we do, such as sing-alongs, word challenges, physical activities, shuttle rides and church services.” – Linda Rippy
At Heritage Woods of Manteno, residents and staff said they are thankful for the community and the people who live and work there. They were asked to complete this sentence, “I am thankful for…”
Here are their responses:
- “Working in this community because it feels like a close-knit family. I’m also thankful because I’m able to make residents feel good. “- Kyrstin Loving, CNA
- “Being able to work in a place where I can have close relationships with residents and the other CNAs.” – Jenna Good, CNA
- “Heritage Woods of Manteno because I take great pride in being able to help the residents and make a difference in their lives.” – Sabrina Hawk, CNA
- “my home because of how comfortable I am living here. I love my apartment. I’m thankful for all of the friends I’ve made and the activities that keep me busy.” – Charlene Flamini
- “feeling safe and secure, and having everything I need offered right here.” – Alberta Gearhart
- “the nice staff and all of the activities.” – Betty Isaacson
- “a variety of social activities and my Monday routine of going to breakfast and coming back to a clean apartment.” – Barb Koehn
- “the friends that I have made here, for three hot meals a day, that I am well cared for and safe.” – Edwyna Cowgar
Lynn Potter, a resident at St. Anthony of Lansing, shared this Thanksgiving testimonial:
“St. Anthony provides us with the necessities for a comfortable life. The activities are great and keep us busy. I am thankful for the relationship I have established with staff and friendships built with residents. St. Anthony is still a growing community, so as 2016 ends, our loved ones can be very thankful that we are residents here.”
After a health crisis in 2014, fellow St. Anthony resident MaryAnne Mcintosh knew she could no longer live on her own. She considered living with her children but realized they were both busy with their own lives. Begrudgingly, she moved to Lansing where she recalls throwing herself a major pity party. After her tears dried, she said she decided to take the advice she had given her children for years and open herself up to new experiences. MaryAnne found herself enjoying bingo, card games, Wii Bowling, and by November, she had been elected Resident Council President.
“The people at St. Anthony have become my family. I found myself preferring to stay at my new home during holiday feast times. I don’t have to cook for myself but have the option of fixing meals. My unit is cozy and decorated to my taste. I’m not subject to shoveling snow, cleaning carpets or paying utility bills. I have several special friends in management and foster granddaughters who are CNAs and care for me like they would their own grandmothers. The staff is wonderful and shows respect for our age and physical disabilities. My health has improved dramatically since I moved here. I don’t know what I would do without St. Anthony of Lansing, and I have let my kids and grandkids know that they don’t need to feel guilty because I’m not living with them. I am staying here out of choice. I thank God for St. Anthony and the family I’ve found here.”