Life changed for many as COVID-19 spread across the globe. If you lived or worked in a long-term care facility, changes to your daily routine and activities magnified. One nursing home activity director recognized how stressful these changes were to the residents, so she stepped up to give them more one-on-one time and make life more manageable. When help was needed in different areas of her facility, she helped out where needed and today she is easing residents back into their daily routines. That is why SDAHO has selected Adriana Boyd, the Activity Assistant with Avantara Arrowhead in Rapid City as this week’s healthcare Hero.
Those who work alongside Adriana say she has always given every resident her time and attention daily, so they know they are not forgotten about. “Adriana showers them with the love their families are wanting to give them but are unable to at this moment.” – Tammy Hall, Avantara Arrowhead Nursing Home, Rapid City, SD
In 2013, Adriana moved to the United States from Bucharest, Romania. “South Dakota feels like my second home, with the beautiful Black Hills, lakes and abundance of wildlife.” Adriana has always had a passion to help people and make a difference in their life. Working in healthcare in South Dakota has allowed her to do that. “The personalized care and special focus to ensure residents feel they are cared for like family is what I appreciate about healthcare in South Dakota.”
When COVID-19 reached the Black Hills, Adriana found herself working long days and was pulled in many different directions. “She has been pulled to the floor to be a CNA and Med Aid. She has worked tirelessly moving residents from their rooms to isolation rooms and back”. – Tammy Hall, Avantara Arrowhead Nursing Home, Rapid City, SD. Adriana says it was a stressful time and everyone did what they needed to do to help out, even stepping up to do different jobs. “We have learned we can concur anything as a team and provide more personalized care for our residents.” Adriana says adapting to a different normal has been hard, but they are all doing whatever it takes so that the residents feel safe and happy and that is so important. Her coworkers say even when it was bleak, Adriana never stopped giving it her all. “Adriana was even doing one on one with residents every day and listening to the residents when they need someone to talk to.” – Tammy Hall, Avantara Arrowhead Nursing Home, Rapid City SD. Before, during, or after the pandemic, Adriana says it is important that she is there for the residents. “When they need comfort, joy, smiles, tears, hugs and seeing them happy during troubling times is very important to me.”
The residents at Avantara Arrowhead nursing home are now able to participate in group activities. Adriana’s colleagues say she is there everyday making sure they are engaged, happy and interacting. “She’s there every day taking residents to and from activities, coming up with fun new activities and has a smile on her face every day!” Tammy Hall, Avantara Arrowhead Nursing Home, Rapid City SD
Adriana knows the pandemic is not over yet but is focused on helping residents enjoy life again. “When I am able to reach a resident break through a wall and make them passionate about life again, that is rewarding to me.”
When asked how she feels about being nominated a healthcare hero, “ I feel honored to have been chosen for doing a job that I love. I feel everyone on the front line is being a Hero and I am proud to be part of that team.”
Adriana Boyd, thank you for all you and congratulations on being SDAHO’s healthcare hero.
If you know someone that is a healthcare hero and would like to nominate them, visit us online and nominate them today. https://sdaho.org/heroes/
