Nely Ramos, health care aide

Having their needs met makes residents happier. When health care aide, Nely Ramos, shows up to work, she arrives with a purpose. She cares for each of her residents’ physical and emotional needs with love and kindness. She does every task earnestly and gently. Nely’s day is not complete without entertaining or providing some activity for her residents. She finds time in her day to walk and talk with residents.

Residents living with dementia may be unable to express their needs verbally and sometimes they may express themselves in aggression or agitation. Nely never takes this behaviour personally. She will ask them what they might want “Mary, would you like to go to the bathroom?” She will sit with them if that is what they need. She might sing with them or go through an old yearbook or photo album.

Nely starts and ends her shifts with a kind touch, hug, smile or song; whatever it takes to brighten up someone’s day. She communicates with residents with patience and attentiveness.

She shares her kindness with staff too. She tries to learn one word from each person’s native language so she can greet them with it.