Caregiver: Vian L.
Employer: Aspen House
Location: Loveland, CO
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Inspiration for This Nomination:
Vian is exceptional at what she does. Each night on the overnight shift, she cares for men who are cognitively impaired. She does what she does with care and compassion and extreme patience. She takes delight in the conversations and hugs and moments of joy that she brings to the residents. She is well respected by the residents, their families, and her co-workers.
Caregiver's Best Skills and Attributes:
Vian has many strengths and excellent skills but her extreme willingness to be flexible has served her—and the residents—the most. She works well as a team with others of all ages and backgrounds—her co-workers know they can rely on her for help in any situation. That teamwork lends itself to the best care possible for the residents. She is positive and upbeat and caring.
Feedback About This Caregiver:
Vian has many strengths and excellent skills but her extreme willingness to be flexible has served her—and the residents—the most. She works well as a team with others of all ages and backgrounds—her co-workers know they can rely on her for help in any situation. That teamwork lends itself to the best care possible for the residents. She is positive and upbeat and caring.
What Others Have Learned From This Caregiver:
We have all observed and learned from Vian how to be focused on person centered care and her willingness try anything to ensure the comfort and exceptional care of the residents. It is not uncommon for her to prepare a midnight snack (or full meal) at 1:00 am for a resident who cannot sleep—or to get the coffee and toast ready for the 3:00 am chat with another resident.
More About This Caregiver:
Vian works the overnight shift in a memory care long term care community where all of the residents are cognitively impaired. One wouldn’t ordinarily think that the overnight shift is one where the care partners have opportunities to engage with or develop relationships with the residents but in this community, it is quite the opposite. At any given time, there are at least 3 residents awake and being engaged. When a resident is unsettled and unable to sleep during the night, Vian invites him to relax on the living room recliner where she can tend to his needs and hopefully lull him back to sleep. When sleep doesn’t work, she finds an activity that is of interest to that man.
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Read More Stories | Find Memory Care | Hire This Company: Aspen HouseEvery time she works, Vian goes the extra mile. She makes sure everyone is cared for and makes sure they are all well fed. For whatever reason, the men all seem to be awake and hungry when Vian is around. She heats up a whole meal for them and sits with them in the middle of the night to make sure they get fed and are all relaxed. All of us who work with her just really love her sense of humor and the way she will help anyone at any time.
Working with Vian is a pleasure. Her bright smile lights up any room. She communicates and cares for people with dementia with ease.When a resident is unable to sleep, Vian can be found engaging them in a variety of activities. It is obvious to anyone that knows Vian that she loves what she does!
Vian is truly a caring, gentle caregiver. I have worked with Vian in another community prior to her coming to Aspen House. While she has always been a fantastic caregiver, she has truly found her calling working with folks with dementia/Alzheimer's.
Vian is a fantastic care partner. She works extremely hard to care for the residents. Even though she works on the overnight shift, Vian works diligently to get to know the residents through speaking with her coworkers and reading about the residents life. When a resident wakes up, Vian happily assists him or her (and knows how to approach with person-centered care). Vian has been known to make meals in the middle of the night for hungry residents, and completing puzzles with residents who are still awake.
Vian has been a CNA for over 10 years. She has the strength and compassion a job like this requires. I met Vian in 2004 when she cared for my mother in law. She always had a smile and did the little things that make the biggest difference.
Vian is always giving 110% even when she doesn't have it in her. She is the most kind and caring individual that anyone could ever meet. Her heart is in her job. She loves working with people.
Vian is wonderful and so caring and kind.