Certified Nursing Assistants Give Care and Friendship

“They just touched a spot in my heart,” says Teresa Brents, as she reminisces about her 40 years working at an EverTrue Life Plan Community.

When she first joined, she never dreamed that the next four decades of her life would be fulfilled through her work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

“I had no experience with older adults. I went to college for two years to be a K-3 teacher,” she recalls. “I applied at EverTrue, and I never left.”

EverTrue trained her as a CNA, and she discovered a whole new world. “The residents were great, and I really liked the community,” she says. As a CNA, Teresa provided vital support to both residents and nurses by giving hands-on care.

A CNA performs a variety of tasks to provide care and support to meet residents’ daily needs and support other healthcare professionals. Duties include:

• Resident care and support: Assisting with personal care and support.
• Vital signs: Recording blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and other vital signs.
• Daily activities: Helping with meals, eating, and hydration.
• Resident information: Knowing residents’ life story.
• Transportation: Helping residents move from different areas of their community.
• Medical support: Performing basic medical tasks.
• Record keeping: Updating electronic health records.
• Communication: Engaging with residents in conversation by listening, using touch by holding their hand or giving them a hug.
• Resident safety: Ensuring residents are safe and residents are monitored for illness or infection.
• Emotional support: Providing friendship and emotional support to residents and their families.

CNAs work as part of a healthcare team, under the supervision of licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses.

“I really like to be hands-on with the residents. I want to spend most of my time with them,” explains Teresa. “The residents are a lot of fun. You never know what they’re going to say or do,” she says. “They need somebody. We all need somebody. Once you gain their trust and they believe in you, they light up when they see you.”

During her four decades with EverTrue, her friendships with residents and their families have made a big imprint on her life. “When I first started, I had a resident who was 99 years old who drew. He sat out in the front and drew a picture of the main entrance and wrote on it, ‘To my dearest Teresa,’ and signed it. I have it framed at my house now,” she said.

Teresa has no plans to leave any time soon. “I just love coming to work to be with these residents and give them the care they need. And lots of friendships. It feels good knowing I can give that to residents and their families,” says Teresa. “I’ve cried and laughed with the residents. I’ve cried and laughed with the families. They know you and trust you.”