GFHC 2017 Summer Caregiver Appreciation Day
When we decided to create our home care agency almost 6 years ago we had one guiding rule that helped us focus our attention when making important decisions every day. One rule. “Do whatever it takes to make each client happy and safe at every shift we work”. That rule still drives every decision we make.
And so it follows that in order to abide by our #1 rule, we must show our caregivers how much we value their contribution to our goal of being the best home care agency in west Michigan. This much I know is true; happy caregivers provide home care services above and beyond the expectations of our clients. Therefore, we aspire to having the happiest caregivers in west Michigan!
One example of how we nurture our staff is our annual Summer Caregiver Appreciation Day. This year we did something kind of wild! At least that is what many caregivers said. We rented out the zip lines at Cannonsburg Ski Area so our caregivers could fly down the ski hill, 200 feet in the air, at 30 miles per hour.
Yes, a few had to be talked into getting into the harness and putting on the helmet. At least one intrepid zipper asked to be pushed off the platform because she just could not take the first step! Then she grinned the whole way down. And when she got the harness and helmet off, she said emphatically “that was really a blast…but I will never do that again”! She said it with an enthusiastic smile and a sense of pride that she overcame the initial fear of taking that quite literal leap (push!) of faith!
Some folks who had to be talked into zipping the first time, then hiked back up the hill for a second trip for the unanticipated thrill of the ride. We had a ball at this event, and it showed on the dozens of smiling faces as we then lined up to hit the Taco Bar we provided for dinner. And the smiles continued as the Taco Bar was loaded with shredded pork and Mahi Mahi, accompanied by beans, rice, guacamole, cheese, pico de gallo, green and red salsas, on corn and/or flour tortillas. Oh, and let’s not forget the special drink of the night, Pineapple Margaritas!
We love our caregivers. I wonder what we will come up with next summer?!!
Pictured L to R: Jane Carpenter, Tracy Payne, Erin Elliott, April Wells, Marion Gauthier, Kathy Drake
- What Your Senior Needs When Going to the Hospital - April 17, 2024
- 5 Things to Calm Your Senior Parent with Alzheimer’s - April 10, 2024
- Tips and Tricks for Helping Seniors With Spring Cleaning - April 3, 2024