Arlene Ragudos, health care aide

Arlene keeps the people she serves at the centre of what she does. She is always willing to help, support and listen to others around her at Holy Cross Manor.

Arlene listens carefully, shows empathy and communicates a sense of hope to her residents, their families and her peers by being present when she interacts with them. What is very important to her is honouring and recognizing the residents’ choices.  She feels that by doing so she is providing them with an avenue for hope and courage.  She demonstrates empathy for them by understanding what they like to do and doing it with them.  She sings songs that they enjoy, she likes to take them for walks and enjoys engaging them in conversation.

She has experienced deep pain herself and she said this helps her understand those around her and exercise more compassion and kindness to help them through life.Arlene recognizes when others are vulnerable and treats them with dignity and kindness by recognizing that everybody is different in culture and traditions.