How do you maintain morale when transitioning to life in a nursing home?

The answer is person-centered care! There is a stigma that moving into a nursing home means life is over — that isn’t the case! We get to know our residents as individuals; we learn what motivates them, what brings them joy and focus on what they can still do. We then cater our activities to our residents’ interests. Life Enrichment views care holistically, and we help our residents find a purpose in our community — some have lived here for ten or more years!

Mary Breight
Life Enrichment & Volunteer Coordinator

Having a trusted expert to turn to when finding quality care for loved ones is essential. Mary Breight, the life enrichment and volunteer coordinator at The Bluffs has a deep-rooted passion for this field as her interest was inspired by personal experiences. “My grandmother battled dementia, and my mom was diagnosed with dementia almost a decade ago,” she says. “I wanted to help restore dignity in geriatrics, help others when they need it the most and be a smiling face people could always count on.” Breight makes sure to always focus on treating the whole individual, rather than just their diagnosis. “Health care is not one-size-fits-all,” she explains. “Get to know your residents! There are so many diverse backgrounds and so much to learn!”Getting to know the residents is one of the most rewarding parts of Breight’s job. She says it’s all about “the relationships you build! I have met some of the best people and continually learn from our residents every day.” She wants people to know that there should never be shame when moving yourself or a loved one into a nursing home – her own mom moved to The Bluffs in 2022. “It’s okay to need help!” The goal is to “help residents maintain their lives and thrive. Life doesn’t have to end the second you move into a nursing home – we’re here to have some fun too!