COVID-19 doesn’t stop Linda Banks from having a positive and cheerful outlook. More than 20 years ago, Linda started her long-term career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at A.G. Rhodes Wesley Woods, and despite the current challenging times, she’s doing what she’s always done: She’s taking excellent care of residents.
“I love them,” she said.
Linda says it takes patience and compassion to work in this field, and when it comes down to it, “All of that points back to love.”
For much of her career at A.G. Rhodes, Linda has been assigned to care for people living with dementia. While some of her residents aren’t always able to communicate with her, she does everything she can to anticipate their needs.
“I want to make them happy,” she said. “I dance with them and sing with them. And even for those who can’t tell me, I try and make them comfortable.”
While one might assume that Linda’s assignment would be more challenging and stressful during these unprecedented times when activities and programs have been significantly adapted, Administrator Greg Heath says Linda makes the best of every situation.
“Not only does Linda always have a smile, but she reassures her fellow care partners that it will all be ok,” he said. “Her positive and calm nature encourages all of us.”
At the heart of everything she does, Linda puts herself in the residents’ shoes.
“That’s somebody’s life you’re taking care of,” she said. “That’s somebody’s mom, that’s somebody’s sister, that’s somebody’s parent. It may be you one day.”
When asked why Linda got into the long-term care field, she said, “Wanting to serve. That’s how I see myself: A servant. That’s me.”
It most certainly is.
More about Linda:
Linda—a Greenwood, Mississippi native—has a husband and three children and when she’s not working, she enjoys relaxing at home. She was A.G. Rhodes Wesley Woods’ 2017 CNA of the year.
May 2020