My Ministry at Bell Tower Residence
By S. Mary Anne Rose
In 1962 I read a book about apartheid. It changed me personally and motivated me to work for any type of justice, and to help people improve their lives. So let me tell you about my ministry here at Bell Tower Residence.
I joined the staff of Bell Tower in 1991 and ever since that time I have worked to provide quality care for our seniors who live here. Initially my ministry was two-fold—providing one-on-one nursing care to our residents, and working with our CNAs, providing them with the training and support they needed in giving direct care to the residents. S. Anita Hirt assisted me whenever I needed extra help. Life at Bell Tower was much simpler then.
Over the years many changes have occurred. State regulations governing assisted living facilities were revised. Even the assisted living industry developed as people achieved a greater awareness of this alternative living option. We added another nurse to our staff to assist me in providing for the personal and medical needs of our residents.
(L-r.) Jodi DeBroix, S. Mary Anne, Lynn Erickson
After we completed our large addition and renovation project in 2006, we experienced tremendous changes in the operation of Bell Tower. Our residents now had more space and our facility was divided into five neighborhoods. Many residents moved to Bell Tower needing a higher level of care than we initially experienced. These two changes dictated the need for additional staff. Now, as the Director of Resident Services, I hired additional nurses, CNAs, housekeeping staff, as well as additional staff for dietary, activities and maintenance. We had grown beyond our wildest imaginings and so had my responsibilities!
(L-r.) S. Mary Anne, Tammy Bruss and Paula Molitor
As a nurse, I often drew on my prior experience as a home care nurse. In that ministry I learned to be very creative in solving problems, I developed my ability to teach others skills that could be used in the care of loved ones, and I became very comfortable with caring for those who were dying. Now that I am providing less one-on-one nursing care and having less contact with residents and their families I have experienced a great loss. However, in management I still am able to make a difference in the lives of our residents. I continue to identify ways to improve the cares and services provided to them, I have greater awareness of their financial challenges and try to find ways to lessen the financial burden of medical expenses, and look for ways we can address their physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual changes.
S. Mary Anne and Margery Klammer
Our elders at Bell Tower have been sages for me as I really deal with my own aging process. They have taught me to ask myself – What do I need? What is essential in my life? What is important and what can I let go of? Most of all I have learned to live the moment, as that is all we can really be sure we have.
(L-r.) Jackie Suwyn, S. Helen Huss, S. Mary Anne