It's
been nearly four decades since Eva McLaren began her career at the
PeopleCare long-term health care facility but her enthusiasm for the
job, her colleagues and residents has only grown with each passing
year.
"I had originally intended to be in the secretarial field but
in 1970 I took a basic nurse's aide course," the Jamaican-born McLaren
said.
Now she is the facility's resident care quality assurance coordinator.
"That year, which was two years after PeopleCare opened in
Tavistock, I began there as a nurse's aide. Five years later I received
my qualifications as a registered practical nurse. In '85 I received my
RN diploma from Conestoga (College) and later took some gerontology
courses."
As she talks about her 38 years in Tavistock, it's evident that
her role at PeopleCare is, in her own words, is more of a hobby than
work. It's an all-encompassing passion that finds her walking
throughout the building and chatting with residents and staffers at all
hours of the day or night.
"I just love what I do and it's because of the people, those
who live there and my co-workers," she said. "Ruth and the Schlegel
family (who established the facility), Mary and the Gingerich family
and so many others took me in and made me part of what became my second
family. It's such a long list.
"My colleague Deb Wettlaufer's mom Ruth Kurzatz, who was the
dietician back then, was just wonderful, teaching me about different
aspects of diet. It has been and continues to be a wonderful learning
experience for me here."
Although she says predicting how long she would have stayed on
as an employee was far from her mind back in 1970, she said over time
it was a matter of realizing just how important the people around her
and the community in general had become to her, both professionally and
personally.
"When you get into long-term health care, you learn more about
people and their needs, whether these are intellectual, emotional or
health-related," she said. "What I love is that the whole staff here is
on the same wave length - sharing a common goal, vision and philosophy.
"This is truly a team effort. Through talking and interacting
with residents, you get to love and appreciate them for their
individual qualities. For example, their environmental and social needs
like personal belongings and it's important to develop a relationship
with family members and other visitors. The community in general plays
a vital role in the process."
And there's that special personal attribute she has become known for over the years -- her singing abilities.
"I come from a business-oriented family in Jamaica, a place
where people genuinely care about others," she said. "I always liked to
make a bit of noise and, as my granddad's favourite girl, was seen as a
lovable, bubbly child.
"I've enjoyed humming along with the residents, so I thought
why not sing? So over the years I've sang throughout different stages
of their lives here, right to the time when a funeral service is held.
I'm known for singing 'The Lord is My Sheppard.' I love the feeling
that song is a part of everyone in so many different ways."
Those songs continue to be music to everyone's ears at PeopleCare.
Next week: Part three -- fitness at any age.