When it comes to health care, there are numerous positions in a wide range of areas.  It could be as a personal physician, physical therapist, specialized surgeon and so on.  One of the most imporatant roles in the arena of health care is that of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  Their primary responsibility  is to provide direct daily care to patients/residents.  This inculdes maintaining the patient's/resident's personal hygiene as well as assisting doctors and nurses in diagnostic procedures and treatments.  Their daily interaction enables them to provide  much needed information on the progress of the individual.  Since most doctors cant see a patient/resident everyday, the CNA provides that connection. It also provides a sense of security for the patients themselves, especially residents in a senior living community, be it assisted living or a nursing home.  By having the same person care for them daily, a routine can be established and trust built up.  This can release a lot of the stress that comes from dealing with illness or even just aging.

The importance of CNAs has been recognized for the past 33 years with National Nursing Assistants Week.  This year it is from June10th-17th and nationwide, nursing assistants are being honored by their staff and patients, as well as coming together to learn and discuss ways in which to provide even better care in the future.  Sycamore Village will be recognizing all of their CNAs throughout the year, but would like to mention a couple of them during National Nursing Assistants week:

Wendy Aubuschon has been a CNA for 16 years, the last 4 have been at Sycamore Village.  She is certified not only in CPR but also as a CPR trainer.  She teaches CPR classes for both employees at Sycamore Village and in the general community.  She is a Team Leader, a superivsor and mentor to other CNAs and caregivers at Sycamore Village.  She has also completed the Alzheimer's Certification Program and attends ongoing Alzheimer's education classes. She has even been licensed to drive the Sycamore Village, wheelchair accessible bus and takes residents out for weekly day trips.

Joan Grebeck has been a CNA at Sycamore Village for more than 6 years. Prior to being a CNA, Joan lived in New York City as a fashion designer.  When it was discovered that her mother had Alzheimer's, she relocated to the area to care for her personally. While taking care of her mother, she realized that her calling was to be a caregiver to those with Alzheimer's.  Although Joan's mother, Dorothy has passed away, Joan continues to work as a CNA at Sycmore Village. Joan even submitted a video highlight of her mother's life for a contest being held.  It is viewable on the front page of the website.

There are many more CNAs who deserve to be recognized. Sycamore Village gives out a big "thank you" to those hard working, but most importantly, care giving individuals who spend their days making sure someone else is happy and comfortable.