There are many roles in the health care system.  All of them serve a purpose, be it diagnostics and treatments or recoveries of illnesses and injuries.  From June 10th-17th, the country honors nursing assistants through National Nursing Assistants Week.  CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants) are crucial to the care of patients at home or in a hospital and play an even more important role to residents of senior living communities.

Whether someone is living permanently in a senior community or temporarily for short-term rehabilitation, it is the responsibilty of the CNA to care for them on a daily basis. This may include bathing, toileting and feeding.  It could also mean that they help keep their rooms and apartments sanitized. CNAs are also there to assist the residents in transportation.  This could range from lifting a residet into a wheelchair to assisting them into a bus or car for daily trips and outings.

Another role of the CNA is assisting doctors and nurses in the medical treatments of residents.  Once a doctor or nurse has diagnosed an illness or injury, the CNA is able to help monitor the patient on a daily basis.  They can perform such duties as adjusting cathatars or cleaning out wounds.  They also chart the day to day progress of a patient/resident.  This provides invaluable information for the attending doctor or nurse.  Since most doctors can't make daily visits to all of their patients, the CNA can communicate in any chnages in a resident and pass that information on to their physician.

By working so closely and personally with the residents, relationships naturally develop.  Having the same caregivers everyday provides a sense of security to the residents and to their families as well. A loved one can talk to the CNA directly and get the information they want about daily routines and overall health.  Maple Ridge Care Centre would like to thank all of their on-staff CNAs. As it is National Nursing Assistants Week, it seems fitting to start here:

Cynthia Shelby has been at Maple Ridge Care Centre for 4 years. She lives in Lincoln with her husband and has 7 children and 1 grandchild.  At 13 Cynthia realized she liked helping the elderly and after taking care of her nanny and grandma, decided to become a CNA.  When asked about what she likes about her job, Cynthia said "I enjoy the stories the residents tell of their experiences and I love making them feel at home. It's a wonderful enviroment."

Denise Shook has worked at Maple Ridge Care Centre for 2 years.   She attened Lincoln Community High School and has been married for 20 years and has 2 daughters.  Denise obtained her certification through Lincoln Technical Education Center (LTEC).  At first she said she wasnt sure what she wanted to do, but after completing her second     clinical at Maple Ridge, she knew for sure what she wanted to do and where.  Denise says she enjoys working at Maple Ridge because of the positive and fun atmosphere. Denise says "I love talking to the residents and hearing about their lives. One resident in particular tells the funniest stories and she always makes me laugh."

Erin Albertson has worked at Maple Ridge for 8 years.  A graduate of Lincoln Community High School, she been married for 2 years and has 2 children. When she was asked about what she loves most of being a CNA, Erin said "A lot of my residents inspire me and make me laugh. We grow close to each other and I feel like we are all family."