Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Carol Gordon’s devotion, attention and care for residents of The Village at Willow Crossings are the products of a life spent caregiving.
As a child, she spent time forming connections with the older adults in her community, especially her own family members. Gordon provided care for her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and those skills prepared her for her work at The Village at Willow Crossings.
She has a knack for bonding with residents, and that ability has made her a model caregiver and a true friend, colleagues said. She talks with residents daily and always is searching for new ways to provide care.
Gordon often sings hymns, plays games and even gives scalp massages to residents, doing anything in her power to offer comfort and support, according to colleagues. She has a unique ability that allows her to understand each resident’s care needs, they added, saying that she is particularly gifted in caring for individuals living with memory loss and are nonverbal or near the end of life.
“She sees herself as each resident’s granddaughter, treating them with love and respect,” one colleague said. “No matter how busy her day, she always makes time to sit, talk, sing or do fun things with each resident.”
Gordon’s colleagues also noted her talent for providing peaceful transitions. She knows when each of her residents is about to pass, they said, and she sings special hymns to impart peace and relaxation.
More information about Gordon:
- She has been known to form instant connections with residents, especially those who have a hard time speaking.
- She often helps residents with hair care. She has broken out the blow dryer and curlers on more than one occasion.
- Staff members at The Village at Willow Crossings know Carol as a singer; she frequently sings hymns with residents to provide comfort.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.
