Nicole McGurin has been named director of programming for Alzheimer’s disease at The Village at Elmhurst senior living community in Providence. She will develop and deliver program services, oversee daily operations and supervise training of associates. McGurin most recently established and directed an Alzheimer’s care unit at Pleasant Manor nursing home in Attleboro, Mass. She has a master’s degree in gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
PBN: Is it hard to work with residents?
McGURIN: It’s actually challenging, rewarding and even fun to help people with memory impairments realize their potential and relieve their families of some of the stresses of care giving.
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PBN: What programs do you find to be most successful?
McGURIN: We structure our residents’ days with enjoyable and worthwhile activities based on their interests and lifestyles – this allows residents to maintain their abilities and preserve their identity as long as possible.
PBN: What challenges do you face?
McGURIN: The biggest challenge of working with people with memory loss is also one of the biggest rewards: It is helping families deal with placing a loved one in the care of others.
PBN: What inspires you?
McGURIN: My residents are my greatest inspiration. They have such a tremendous capacity for joy, great sense of humor and wonderful appreciation for the time spent with them.
PBN: What can you bring to residents’ quality of life?
McGURIN: I want to make my residents feel safe and secure in their environment, and I hope to make their lives meaningful and fulfilling through our programming.
