Stories from the Care Community

  Our memory care residents experienced so much joy planting a salsa garden! The amount of memories it brought back for them was absolutely astounding! They reminisced about planting huge gardens that they survived off of in the past. The men talked about harvesting and climbing trees as kids. These moments remind us of what an important role we play in our seniors’ lives!” 

Brandy S. RN, LNHA
Executive Administrator

  I started in my first facility more than 30 years ago. It’s one of those notions: either you love what you do, or it loves you. My story is a little of both. I’ve met some wonderful patients and families, and have made my career in Long Term Care a wonderful and challenging experience. I have been an LPN for 27 years and an administrator for 21 years. Helping others is my passion and providing care to make their days enriching and satisfying my sincere goal. We try to make life for our patients pleasant and comfortable. Dietary provides alternatives to menus, nursing is top notch and our aides are some of the best in Mayes County. Do what you love and love what you do – that’s my motto!”

Robert C.
Administrator

  I started my tenure with Leisure Care in 2003. The Plant Operations Supervisor at the time was out with double pneumonia and the work orders were piling up. My wife had been the Activities Director there for two months and, like my good wife would do, she volunteered my services. The rest is history!”

Jason K.
Plant Operations Manager

  I was once caring for a gentleman with Alzheimer’s who wanted popcorn on his bad days, so I made sure to always keep some in my office.

One day he would not take the bowl from my hands. Instead, he would take one kernel at a time. I was having a particularly busy day and needed to get back to work, so I asked, ‘Why don’t you take the popcorn?’ With a huge smile on his face he said, ‘Because I’ll forget where I put it!’ and began to laugh. If he could find humor in such a horrible disease, I could find the time to eat a little popcorn with him.

It’s for residents like him that I love what I do.”

Colinda N. RN, LNHA
Executive Director

  I am blessed to do what I love to do every day – to work with and help people, make someone’s day, teach, train and stay hands on to help achieve the mission of Presbyterian Homes and Services: ‘To honor God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of older adults.’ I am in my 13th year with PHS and look forward to each day.”

David M.
Director of Engineering and Environmental Services

  I encourage my maintenance staff to do two important things when entering a resident room: 1. smile and 2. apologize for the inconvenience the resident encountered. By showing empathy and compassion, those two things can make a world of difference for the residents. They’re the reason we do what we do every day, so we always need to put them first.”

Craig N.
Plant Operations Director

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The Magic of Music in Memory Care

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Witness the power of music as a group of Memory Care residents transforms from passive listeners to a joyful choir. This is Dean Solden’s story of compassion in the face of adversity.

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Taking Care to New Heights

Taught about the importance of caring for his elders at an early age, Jim Tarantino strives to build purposeful communities and create lasting memories for his residents.

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