RESIDENT'S INPUT

I asked two residents about what makes a good staff.

This past weekend, while doing relief at one of the group homes, I spoke with two residents who are high functioning. One is her own gardian and the other is allowed limited alone time and can take the bus on her own to her destination and back. I asked them what made group home staff good.

One lady mentioned things that had to do with a basic need being met-having her meals being provided for and that they were good. She likes when staff takes her out to eat. She said she had good staff because they do those things.

The other lady liked staff that didn't swear around her. She's a young lady in a home with older ladies. She likes staff who gets her out to do things and meet other people like her and that are her age. She has limited recreation funds and she said her staff couldn't take her places.

As staff, it's our job to meet basic needs in creative ways. It's our job to be creative with limited funds. The residents count on us to do what they cannot on their own.