Country Meadows is blessed to have the best co-workers in the field of assisted living. Yes, we know we are biased.
While we celebrate our co-workers year round, September is our chosen time to host events to honor and recognize long-term co-workers celebrating milestone service anniversaries in assisted living. Our senior communities have many success stories to share as many co-workers have moved up the ladder to positions with increasing responsibility.
At just 16 years of age, Garrett Kistler started working as a dishwasher at Country Meadows. He quickly was promoted to dining associate and then to Independent Living Director. He discovered he enjoyed forming relationships with residents in assisted living and other care levels.
“Whenever I had time, I would sit down and talk with residents. During downtime, I’d go visit with them and talk about their lives and get to know them more,” says Kistler as he explains why he chose to work in senior communities. “Over the years I’ve developed a unique relationship with almost every resident.”
Today, almost 14 years later, Kistler serves in a leadership role as a Marketing Director. “Country Meadows is a family company and they go above and beyond for the residents,” he says, adding, “It’s a great company to work for, and they really give you the tools necessary to carry out your job.”
Associate Director of Nursing Kerri Bernard wanted to be a nurse serving older adults at assisted living communities since she was a teenager. She says she found her true calling at Country Meadows. “This is more than a job to me. I really truly do love working with the older generation and look forward to coming to work. It’s not just a job to me.”
Many co-workers report the number one perk to working in assisted living is getting to know the residents. One person shares, “The residents stole my heart. They make you feel so loved!” Another says, “Health care is a difficult field but the residents, company and co-workers make it all worth it.”
Country Meadows offers several levels of care within assisted living and personal care. Our senior living facilities support residents who need some help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and medication management. Some of our residents’ favorite amenities include:
- Chef-prepared meals
- Caring staff on duty 24/7
- Activities, entertainment and outings
- Scheduled transportation
- Fitness center managed by a fitness professional
- Spiritual life opportunities
- Housekeeping and linen services
Residents and their families routinely share their appreciation for Country Meadows’ amazing staff members in assisted living. One family member shares, “Having a loved one who can no longer care for themselves is difficult. Finding a place that they can call home is a blessing. I can’t thank [the co-workers] enough for doing all the things for Mom that we couldn’t, and best of all treating her like family. I heard her say, ‘I love you’ to many of the caregivers. It takes a special kind of person to work in an [assisted living] facility, and you have found them!”
“Country Meadows is more like cruise ship living than an elder care facility. And, above and beyond this delightful environment, the staff are the kindest, most patient, loving and caring people you could ever hope to meet,” says another family member.
As part of assisted living and personal care, Country Meadows offers specialized services for residents who require memory support in both secured and non-secured settings through its Connections programs. Co-workers provide personalized support to match each individual resident’s needs while addressing emotional issues such as frustration, anxiety and loneliness. Residents enjoy the same robust calendar of activities and entertainment as in other areas of assisted living, as well as fitness opportunities and spiritual life programs.
For those assisted living residents who may not require memory support but do need more help than is traditionally provided in personal care, the Pathways Restorative Care program can address those needs. Custom plans might include Physical, Occupational and/or Speech therapy, fitness programs and specialized approaches to accomplish daily tasks.
Country Meadows has nine locations in Pennsylvania and one campus location in Frederick, Maryland. Often referred to as one of the best senior communities in the area, we offer a wide range of services to serve a variety of resident needs. The services within our independent living communities include restorative care, rehabilitation, personal care and assisted living, memory support and independent living. If you or a loved one are beginning the retirement planning journey and would like more information about assisted living care in our communities, please contact us today. Our co-workers can provide details on the services we offer, help you to schedule a tour of our independent living communities and answer any other questions you might have.
Country Meadows
