Seniors - Age-wise: Retirement - What retirement?

And we recently told you about the new group of seniors who are opting for encore careers that give back to their communities. But suppose you never left your job when you reached retirement age because you enjoyed it so much? And suppose your employer was delighted with your decision? And suppose you already had a job that gave back to the community?

Many of you know that the Wesley Health Care Center on Lawrence Street has been in Saratoga Springs for a long time, in fact over thirty years. But we bet only a few of you know that several of the CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistant) have each worked there for over twenty years, one for more than thirty!

We recently had the privilege of meeting three extraordinary women, all of whom are past retirement age and all of whom have worked at the Wesley Health Care Center for many years.

One is a “proud seventy–four” and another started her second career at sixty-one some twenty years ago. “I was surprised when they hired me,” she said. Still another had planned to stay for two years and has been at Wesley for twenty.

The day we interviewed them happened to be Halloween. As we walked to an elevator with Lorrie Schilling, Director of Marketing, we sensed the warm, friendly atmosphere at the Center.

There were enough authentic-looking witches at the reception desk and popping out of nearby offices to make up a coven, and we soon encountered a pair of Ethel and Lucy lookalikes complete with vintage aprons and wire hair curlers. Pumpkins and pots with dubious looking contents graced the countertops. Then down the hall came a costumed young woman pushing a delighted resident in her wheelchair as they passed a “French chef” with a floury face.

When we met the three “non-retired” CNAs we found they just reinforced the welcoming, caring atmosphere we sensed from the time we entered the Center. All three, Barbara Loeffler, Florence Harrison and Marion Dzierzek, are past what our society normally considers “retirement age.” They each came to Wesley for very different reasons, but have stayed for the same ones: they love their job, their supervisor, the residents in Light Care Geriatrics, and the residents’ families.

Although they came from different backgrounds – a farmer’s wife, an Avon product maker and a homemaker – all three took their training on site and then fit right in to working with residents who have physical problems that are not medically intense and who can manage many of their daily needs themselves.

As they talked we could sense the passion they bring to the job, even after years at Wesley. Of course, they have had to keep up their skills. They must take a six hour refresher course two times a year and be recertified by the State of New York every two years to keep their licenses.

Don’t let anyone tell you that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. As one said, “I don’t feel eighty. I keep active. You just get up and go do what must be done.” Added another, “Everybody I know is sorry they retired.”

We sat with this lively trio in the residents’ Tea Room, a space available for family meetings or meals. That is just one service provided to their residents by the Center along with a Sunday hymn sing, religious services on premises and use of an outdoor patio. Trips to a beauty parlor or shopping can be arranged. Patients’ relatives can even stay overnight if their family member is ill or they have traveled a long way to visit. The staff works enthusiastically to bring enrichment to the residents, planning stimulating activities on and off site.

Other services offered at Wesley Health Care Center include dental services, dietary services, occupational therapy, pharmacy services, physical therapy, physician services, social work services and much more. For more detailed information, visit their Web site at www.wesleyhealth.com

But we are sure nothing is better for the residents than the positive attitudes of their caring staff. Speaking of her older CNAs, Barbara Falkenberg, Assistant Director of Nursing says, “They bring a wealth of experience to their jobs. We at Wesley appreciate longevity. People tend to work here for a very long time. It’s a great place to work, friendly and we have a shared mission.”

When we asked the three long-time CNAs how they stayed so enthusiastic about their work Barbara said, looking at the other two women, “After all, love is the word isn’t it?”