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LETTER: Sunset Manor employee focuses on the positive

Letter writer shares her experiences working at Sunset Manor for the past five years
2022-05-31 keyboard typing pexels-fauxels-3183202
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CollingwoodToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to an article that ran on CollingwoodToday.ca on May 26, titled 'One year later, admissions still halted at Sunset Manor'. 

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l am a recreational therapist and work at Sunset Manor currently and have been employed at Sunset Manor for five years.

However, my memories of Sunset Manor go back to when l was four years old. My mom has worked at Sunset Manor for about 24 years and continues to enjoy her job.

My mother would bring me in to visit the residents when l was a child. I have always had a deep respect for all the work that goes into caring for society's vulnerable for this reason. My sentiments have not wavered. I never realized at the time what a significant part Sunset Manor would play in my life.

I started as a summer student in the program and services department, helping to facilitate programs and meaningful leisure opportunities for those in the latter years of their lives. When l started working at Sunset Manor l could not believe just how much I had lucked out to work in such a meaningful field making a difference in the lives of so many amazing individuals. Not only is my heart filled everyday doing this but being valued by residents, families, and the long-term care home team and management has given me a valuable purpose in life.

I enjoyed my role so greatly l knew in my heart and soul l had found my calling.

I want to share my story to give the community a glimpse into the positive side of what goes truly goes on within the organization. I stand behind Sunset Manor and the wonderful care staff provide our residents with. It can be such a difficult transition for many to entrust a long term care home with taking care of ones most beloved parents, spouses, siblings, and friends.

If ever faced with that incredibly difficult decision l would have no reservations or qualms about entrusting Sunset Manor to care for my most loved family members. This is driven by the superb care and treatment l have seen first-hand by staff towards our residents. The outpouring of support and appreciation we receive from families in my experience is in overwhelming positive however, this rarely makes headlines.

This is what has motivated me to share what it is truly like actively working within Sunset Manor on the frontlines. Navigating through the COVID pandemic has
been especially trying for all those working in the health care sector (hats off to all health care workers). However, the resident’s psychosocial well-being and
physical care of residents has never wavered from being the top priority for Sunset staff.

We are real people with genuine intentions and hearts who strive to enrich the resident’s lives we serve. I see the difference Sunset Manor has made within our resident and the community every day. This past year our resident’s sponsored a family in need within the community at Christmas to provide their children with Christmas presents when they were struggling financially. We have our annual senior’s month occurring in June and the calendars are packed with entertainment for our residents, car shows, socials, and bus trips to keep our residents connected with their communities and engaged in meaningful activities despite health conditions or cognitive decline.

The old adage “find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life" rings true to me everyday working at Sunset Manor. In a world where negative news sometimes flourishes and proliferates our papers and TVs I wanted to share just what a blessing Sunset Manor has been to me and so many individuals’ lives.

I am just one voice however, I hope l can be a positive catalyst to show what the reality is within long term care. We meet our residents as they are along their lives journey and work diligently to fulfil their needs while keeping them safe; and I hope my story can give a glimpse from the frontlines on what it truly means to be a part of amazing home such as Sunset Manor.

I want to extend my love and support to the residents, our community, and all members of our multidisciplinary team. It truly takes a village to run a long-term care home and the people who comprise this one are caring individuals who want to cherish our residents. We work tirelessly to enrich the lives of those we serve: our residents.

I wanted to give my real name and firsthand account in the aim of transparency and showing I am proud to stand behind Sunset Manor.

Natalie Melendez
Collingwood