CONGRATULATIONS Patty Smith, CNA, for being named
The Caregiver’s Voice Caregiver of the Month of January!
Patty is the fourth caregiver to be recognized as The Caregiver’s Voice (TCV) Caregiver of the Month (CotM) and the first in 2011. TCV is proud to recognize a Certified Nursing Assistant; one representing the many who perform heroic deeds that often go unrecognized. Patty’s story, written by her administrator, serves as an inspiration for caregivers and administrators. (Ed.)
Patty Smith, CNA, a gives of herself at Heritage Woods
Patty Smith, CNA, is TCV’s Caregiver of the Month of January 2011
Patty Smith has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for Heritage Woods since 2003. She devotes each day to the residents of this community; however, she frequently gives them much of herself after hours and days off.
- She fixes several ladies’ hair.
- She makes sure the ladies have on clean clothes and makeup before they leave the community and for special occasions.
- She irons, sews on buttons, and hems slacks.
- She even makes trips to Wal-Mart, Sav-A-Lot, and Dollar General for the residents after her scheduled shift.
- On her days off, she’s returned; for example, with homemade cinnamon rolls for the residents during a party.
- Every holiday, Patty hangs items on residents’ doorways. If a resident does not have an item to hang, Patty brings one from home.
- Each Christmas, she decorates residents’ trees. If residents celebrate but don’t have a tree, she brings in one for them.
- She has baked sugar cookies and a squash pie for a resident to take to a holiday gathering.
Patty’s devotion to the residents is endless, so I wrote this song about her below.
(Lyrics by Deborah M. Artis, Administrator of Heritage Woods,
for her CNA, Patty Smith, to be sung to Here Comes Santa Claus)
Here comes Patty Smith, here comes Patty Smith,
Right down Heritage Woods Lane–
With a smile on her face and her sewing kit,
Heading straight for the resident’s place.
Putting buttons on shirts and hemming slacks,
Looking for something to do.
Grabs the ironing board and extension cord-
To which resident, who knows who?
CNA, Patty Smith of Heritage Woods in Flora, Illinois ironing with resident, Marie Hawkins, “supervising”
Here comes Patty Smith, here comes Patty Smith,
Right down Heritage Woods Hall–
With her very own money, trips to WalMart and SavALot
You’d think she’s the one on call.
Hanging wreaths on their doors on the holidays–
Lighting their Christmas trees–
Baking cinnamon rolls and a huge squash pie–
And ev-en sugar cookies!
Here comes Patty Smith, here comes Patty Smith,
Right down Heritage Woods Lane–
She doesn’t just come to work, but loves the residents–
You see? It’s very plain!
Just ask the residents and you will hear–
“It’s Patty Smith we love…
She cares about us, spends her time with us…
Always going beyond and above!”
Nomination by Deborah M. Artis, Administrator
Heritage Woods
Flora, IL
Two of TCV Caregiver of the Month selection committee members wrote:
We often take for granted the workers in nursing homes, assisted living communities, or board and care homes for doing the job they were hired to do. Patty clearly shows her devotion to the residents of Heritage Woods by going beyond her job description.
She fits the ‘above and beyond’ description because she comes in after hours and on days off to do residents’ hair; plus baking and decorating for the holidays. Also, how many people have an appreciation song written about them?
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Congrats Patti on much deserved recognition.
As a family caregiver, I believe you will find a lot of family and professional caregivers donating time and services, offering genuine concern, even when out doing errands (i.e., their/our free time when respite caregiver is on duty). An already overloaded caregiver will, without thinking, rush across the street to bring magazines and fresh bananas to the 95-year-old widow across the street.
Ironically, I realized that this giving to OTHERS was the most important thing I could do for MYSELF (8.5 years and counting as sole caregiver for Mother with Alzheimer’s). Because the day-in day-out caregiving, especially in a family situation, is so taken for granted (good deeds even fought off), we can get genuine and enthusiastic thanks from such a simple deed….and apply this concept “Yes, I am being kind and deserve a few thanks” to the endless hours of drudgery.
I am most of all happy for you that the residents and the staff are outgoing in their appreciation of your service. This other level of recognition, having anthem in your honor and now “caregiver of the month,” is also important to bolster your spirits and let you know you are an example to strive for.
Oh, one of the good deeds I do when out and about is this…you often see someone sitting at little table collecting donations outside on the sidewalk in the elements. I offer to buy them a hot latte or coffee. I try to carry extra gloves in the car, and offer to them if they look cold. Since they are in GIVE mode already, they are thrilled to be recognized and treated. The gals (wo)manning the Salvation Army pot (who actually looked like they could fill the pot with cash themselves), were so thrilled to be offered a hot drink. Half the time I take them up on it.
Thank you Carol, TCV’s Family Caregiver of the Month (CotM) of November for taking time to write and share encouragement with our professional CotM, Patty Smith, CNA.