\n<\/p>\n
In the world of caregiving, the journey often begins with a mix of emotions. For Morris Commesor, a certified nursing assistant at the Glenn in Minnetonka, Minnesota, every day showcases the highs and lows of helping seniors live with dignity.<\/p>\n
Morris has spent 13 years working in memory care, assisting residents with dementia\u2014an illness that affects their thinking and memory. His role is to help them through everyday tasks, from getting dressed in the morning to settling them in at night. However, not every resident is eager to accept help. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tough job, but I approach it with a positive mindset,\u201d Morris explained. He recalls one 90-year-old resident who would insist he leave whenever he arrived to assist her. Patience played a big role as he returned to gently encourage her to switch from casual wear to a lovely dress. \u201cEvery day is special,\u201d he would remind her, and she often told her children, \u201cIt\u2019s him. He helped me. He\u2019s a nice guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morris also works part-time at SilverCreek on Main, reflecting the increasing demand for caregivers. The nursing home industry lost a significant percentage of its workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and is still grappling with high turnover rates and burnout among Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). As the baby boomer population ages, the need for caregivers is more critical than ever. In Minnesota alone, the number of individuals aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2075, leading to thousands of new assisted living positions.<\/p>\n
Originally from Sierra Leone, Morris emigrated to the U.S. in 2007 and was recognized as Caregiver of the Year in 2017 for his exceptional compassion and dedication. \u201cHe treats every resident as if they are family,\u201d said a representative from LeadingAge Minnesota, highlighting his ability to connect with residents and their families during challenging times.<\/p>\n
Morris shared a glimpse into his day-to-day responsibilities. He starts work early, checking on residents to ensure their safety and providing assistance with laundry, meals, and personal care. He also engages residents with activities like exercise, movies, and music, often bringing smiles to their faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust seeing them happy makes my day,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I help someone, it\u2019s fulfilling to see them smile back at me. It reminds me how important this work is.\u201d<\/p>\n
He reflects on the challenges of the job with empathy. \u201cIt can be tough at times, but I remind myself that one day, I may need help too. So, we must support one another.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morris also shares practical advice for dealing with residents who might be resistant to help. He encourages his coworkers to focus on individuals who are ready to engage. \u201cIf somebody isn\u2019t willing to accept help, it\u2019s okay to step away and assist someone else,\u201d he noted. This approach not only fosters a positive environment but also allows them to return when the resistant resident is more open to assistance.<\/p>\n
His experiences as a caregiver have even inspired him to lead a healthier lifestyle. \u201cBefore this job, I wasn\u2019t into exercising, but seeing seniors be active changed my perspective on health,\u201d Morris shared.<\/p>\n
For those thinking about a career in nursing assistance, Morris has encouraging words: \u201cIt\u2019s a rewarding field. If you love helping people, this is a great place to be. It\u2019s not just about the paycheck; it\u2019s about making a real difference in someone\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A Day in the Life of a Caring Nursing Assistant In the world of caregiving, the journey often begins with a mix of emotions. For Morris Commesor, a certified nursing assistant at the Glenn in Minnetonka, Minnesota, every day showcases the highs and lows of helping seniors live with dignity. Morris has spent 13 years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20640,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[1990,25929],"class_list":["post-20639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-news","tag-health","tag-unlicensed-assistive-personnel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20639\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}