Meet Pat
Executive Director
The executive director, Pat, along with our friendly and professional staff, strives to create positive, stimulating ways for residents to continue living life with meaning and purpose. We are a friendly family where we treat residents like real people with real life stories.
Our community is a great story that includes heartwarming chapters and incredibly unique characters all in a wonderful setting. Here is Pat's story:
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
I have been a Licensed Nursing Facility Administrator since May of 1995 and a Certified Aging Services Professional through the University of North Texas since 2001.
What do you like best about your job?
I love the residents and getting to know them.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
Spending time with my family and friends is at the top of the list. I also enjoy reading and movies (no scary ones!) and four wheeling with my husband.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Noah – I would love to talk to him about how he truly knew he was to build the ark and how he handled the ridicule of his neighbors. It would be fun to hear of all the adventures they had with the animals on that ark!
What’s your favorite movie and why?
Any Christmas movie – I love the feel good happy movies.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
Rhubarb Pie – I grew up in Ohio and it would grow wild. I have many fond memories of watching and helping my mother bake her wonderful rhubarb pie. You can’t find this in Louisiana!
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
So many have faced numerous adversities during their lives and yet they smile and greet each day with a positive attitude. This reminds me daily that no matter what troubles I may be facing they have faced worse and survived.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
Mr. George was 100 years old and walked the long halls of our CCRC on a daily basis. He was best known for his kind smile and words of encouragement to everyone along the walk. Even though he had many medical issues, he never complained. He loved the news and would often stop by and visit with me about the current events and compare it to days past. On 9/11 he walked up to me and gave me a hug and said five simple words, “It’s a sad, sad day”. He never spoke about 9/11 to me or to anyone that I know of after that and several months later he went to be with the Lord. His family said they noticed a change in him after 9/11 – a little spark went out that day as our country changed forever. Mr. George truly was empathetic with others and reminded me daily that we need to care more for others than ourselves.
How do you honor your residents at your community?
By respecting them as individuals and listening to them. The greatest way to honor them is to treat them each and every day with the dignity and respect they deserve. Teaching the staff that we have the honor it is to work for and with them in their home is of upmost importance.
Tell us about a resident with a remarkable life story.
Mrs. Jerry moved into our community after suffering a stroke. She had led a life filled with troubles, divorce, death of a child, and now a major stroke. She no longer had use of one of her arms and hands and walked with a definite limp. After the stroke, her children moved her in with them and even though she loved them dearly decided she needed a place of her own. Mrs. Jerry had many reasons to curl up and feel sorry for herself, but instead she decided she was going to make lemonade out of lemons. She had always enjoyed crafts of any type and decided even with one good arm she would do what she could. She began painting and decorating wood bird houses, pressing flowers and framing them and making gifts of all types for others. Soon she was being invited to other communities to show residents how you can still do things even when you are limited with the use of one arm. Mrs. Jerry made a decision that she would not shrivel up and die but decided to live and blossom.
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
Mrs. Ida lived in the country – miles away from her nearest neighbor. All of her children had passed away over the years and she was alone with only one elderly sister who lived with her children in another state. Everyday Mrs. Ida would take care of her home and make the trek into town to get her groceries for the day. One week the owner of the small store realized they had not seen Mrs. Ida for three days and after finding out where she lived went to check on her. She was ill and 911 was called. She came to us from the hospital and at first had many reservations that we were “too fancy” as she was “just plain country folk”. We reassured her everyone would love her and she would fit right in and enjoy living with us. After a couple of months, Mrs. Ida came into my office and told me how happy she was and how much she enjoyed living here. I asked her what the one thing she enjoyed the most was and she said “well, I honestly have never been much of a social person, living in the country away from people and all. But now, I found out I LOVE parties!” She went on to tell me how lonely she was in her home but she had grown to just accept that is how her life was and how she would live out her days. She was so thankful for the opportunity to live in a place where the staff truly cared for her and took care of her needs and she loved knowing she would never be lonely again.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
So many of them are raising grandchildren or caring for elderly parents in their home. No matter how tired they are when they come through the doors they get renewed and give our residents the best care and treat all with such kindness never letting the burdens of their daily life interfere with their work.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
By getting to know each employee and something about them, finding out what they enjoy when they are away from work, and talking to them about their interests and taking time with them throughout the week.
Tell us about an employee who embodies one of our core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, professionalism or teamwork. Cedric, our director of food services, is truly someone that embodies not only one of our core values, but all of them. He is one of the most caring individuals I have ever met. Not only does he listen to the residents, the families and his co-workers, but he truly tries to meet their needs. Cedric leads his team by example on a daily basis; he is truly a team player, willing to help out whenever he is needed. Never once have I heard Cedric say an unkind word about anyone or have a negative attitude. He is a great asset to our Horizon Bay family.