Wearing Many Different Hats at The Springs at Monarch Landing
You're likely to find her brewing a cup of tea for a chat with a resident, leading a brain fitness game, giving a manicure or serving up wine for happy hour. Maria Nardulli, the life enrichment manager of The Springs at Monarch Landing is the embodiment of each staff member's ability to successfully wear many different hats in order to best serve the residents.
The Springs at Monarch Landing offers memory support assisted living, rehabilitation, respite and healthcare options. The community, which opened its doors in 2014, is carefully designed to feel like home, with welcoming common living and dining areas, and private suites with full bathrooms for all residents. The Springs' commitment to resident-centered care is supported by the community's encouragement of staff to embrace the different responsibilities and opportunities that come their way.
"We have embraced a model, which relies on our staff functioning in different roles and pitching in where needed in order to accommodate residents' unique needs and preferences," said Renee Garvin, executive director of Monarch Landing. "This approach is more holistic and resident-centered than a more traditional medical model. We cross-train staff, and in doing so we are breaking down hierarchical barriers and eliminating a 'that's not my job' mentality. This permits us to respond to residents more promptly and seamlessly. This also allows the staff to spend more time with individual residents and build strong relationships."
In her official role in life enrichment, Nardulli, who has a degree in therapeutic recreation, is responsible for planning, structuring and offering activities for residents of The Springs. In doing so she said, her objective is to provide "pure daily enjoyment, increase self-esteem, self-awareness and socialization." Nardulli began her career working with children, adolescents and young adults in a behavioral health center. She said in shifting to working with seniors, she most loves their "wisdom and knowledge. The best part of my job is when a resident is able to recall an event in their lives and you can see the joy in their faces when they share their stories. I love to bring happiness and joy to our residents."
Nardulli said that she relishes the opportunity to develop strong bonds with each resident. "I really get to spend time on an individual basis with the residents, and learn about their lives, and about their likes and dislikes. I can then structure activities around what they enjoy. My bringing them joy, brings me great joy," she said.
Monarch Landing is a continuing care retirement community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named "one of America's best places to live and retire" by Modern Maturity, and "the best city for early retirement" by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing offers independent living, promoting a vibrant life style for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers assisted living memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or www.TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.