Caregivers caring for caregivers

By Jan Weeks

When Becki Siemers left her job at La Villa Grande Care Center in Grand Junction for another position at Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Colorado, she didn’t dream she would soon be in the midst of one of the biggest disasters in the state. The licensed nursing home administrator had worked in the Grand Junction area for over 28 years, and in April 2021, she moved to the facility on the Front Range.

On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire swept across 6,000 acres, fueled by drought-dried vegetation and 100 mile-per-hour wind gusts. The Balfour community staff went into emergency mode, relocating residents as they watched the fire race closer. Assisted living residents were evacuated to a facility in Boulder, and those requiring skilled nursing care went to a facility in Arvada.

Fortunately, the Balfour building was spared, and residents and staff were able to return the next day. Both staff and residents were mentally and physically exhausted, and one employee, and several family members of others, lost everything to the fire.

La Villa Grande Administrator Lisa Smith and her staff reached out immediately, sending good wishes and prayers. Then, on March 14, 2022, a representative from La Villa Grande arrived in Louisville

Caregivers

caring for caregivers

LaVilla Grande Care Center helped Boulderarea seniors and staff in wake of Marshall Fire

From our side of the mountain to yours… La Villa Grande Care Center Thank you very much! Staff, Residents and Families!

On December 30, 2021, the residents at Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Colorado had to be quickly evacuated due to a rapidly spreading wildfire in their backyard. La Villa Grande Care Center in Grand Junction reached out immediately but were too far away to offer anything more than supportive thoughts and kind words.

Our luck changed in March, 2022 when the La Villa Grande staff delivered a treasure chest with daily surprises for our residents and staff, including gift cards for an employee that lost her home in the fire.

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to make a surprise delivery for the staff and residents. A large treasure chest contained an envelope with gifts for each day of the week.

On Monday, residents received 100 Crumbl Cookies; on Tuesday, 200 tacos arrived from Taco Bell; Wednesday brought bagels, cream cheese, and coffee; Thursday’s St.

Patrick’s Day full sheet cake was a sweet celebration; and Friday’s treat was Chinese food for the night shift crew.

A special letter and $500 worth of gift cards from Target, Visa and more helped a dishwasher who lost everything in the fire. Cards and letters of encouragement from the La Villa Grande residents cheered up everyone, as did Mardi Gras chocolate gold coins and colorful beads.

“The week was incredible and so healing for my Louisville staff that walked through fire for their residents,” said Siemers. “All health care workers have had a difficult past two years and are weary but the show of kindness from one weary team to another was far more healing than anything I have seen during this pandemic.” ■

THE SHOW OF KINDNESS FROM ONE WEARY TEAM TO ANOTHER WAS FAR MORE HEALING THAN ANYTHING I HAVE SEEN DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

A care package from La Villa Grande Care Center containing $500 worth of gift cards helped a dishwasher who lost everything in the Marshall Fire. Happy National Skilled Nursing Care Week

To all of our dedicated Physicians, Nurses, Certifi ed Nurse Assistants, Dietary Services staff , Activities professionals, Social Services staff , Agility Therapy professionals, Environmental Services Staff , and Administration professionals… Thank you all for your extraordinary work over the past year!

A cake delivered to Balfour Retirement Community by La Villa Grande staff.

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