Meet Brandie Cox, RN/DNS at Cypress Grove, and resident Diana Fidler.

The two of them have a history that spans decades, and their relationship has come full circle. When Diana came to Cypress Grove in need of nursing and therapy services, she was understandably nervous. However, seeing Brandie Cox’s familiar face came as a huge relief! Diana had been Brandie’s daycare provider when she was a child, and Brandie’s mother was also a nurse, so Diana knew she was in good hands.

“Diana had a safe and fun house and was always finding ways to help us learn and grow,” Brandie said.

“Diana would care for me even if I was sick, and she was an amazing second mom when I needed her. I feel very honored and privileged to be able to pay her back for all the care she gave me. Diana has reminded me why I love doing what I do.”

Meet Chef Mike Beres, Culinary Manager, and Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation Center resident and fellow “chef” Eugene Eakright.

Eugene loves to cook. When he became buddies with Chef Mike they connected in the kitchen. Monthly, these men create a special menu to share with residents, family members and the staff at Valparaiso.Eugene makes the menu suggestion and Mike gladly gets the ingredients and sets up a time for the two chefs to create their masterpieces.

Recently they shared pizza puffs with everyone. Chef Mike made the dough, and Eugene helped with the rest, including delivery throughout the building. Everyone raved about how tasty they were!

We are all grateful for this wonderful partnership, as we get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. We are very thankful for Chef Mike and how he demonstrates our core values daily. He truly makes a difference in our residents’ lives!

Meet Lisa Watkins, MDS Coordinator, and Carl Graveson, resident at Good Samaritan Home & Rehabilitative Center.

They have a special bond that formed gradually over time. Lisa noticed that Carl seemed isolated, so she started taking a little time each day to interact with him to provide him with some companionship. Now that their friendship has grown, Lisa says Carl holds a special place in her heart and Carl says Lisa has the best personality of anyone he’s ever met.

If anyone is ever looking for Carl you can probably find him with Lisa. They talk about many different kinds of things. Lisa helps make sure Carl never runs out of the items he likes to have, such as his sodas and peppermint candies. If he is having a bad day, Lisa is the one that can reassure him everything will be alright. When you see them together Carl has the biggest smile that just warms everyone’s hearts.

Meet Christine Salazar, Clinical Education Coordinator, and Coventry Meadows resident Clifton Bittle.

The two began connecting over their shared love of the outdoors, and now they often spend their time telling stories out in the sun on the beautiful Coventry Meadows grounds. Their love of nature isn’t the only thing they have in common, though. They both hail from Ohio and are huge Buckeye sports fans.

They both love getting new clothes. In fact, Cliff has a t-shirt collection he’s very proud of and is always excited when he gets to add to it. He shares with Christine about the meaning each of the pieces of his collection holds for him. Theirs is a friendship that just fits!

Meet Tammy Wright, Activities Director at Canterbury Nursing & Rehabilitation, and resident Ernestine McCowan.

The two have been care companions since the day Ernestine arrived at Canterbury.

They hit it off immediately by bonding over their religion and the love they share for the same pastor. Ernestine loves to travel, attend Bible study and watch movies, all of which she talks about with Tammy in their daily discussions.

They’re practically like family and can confide in each other whenever needed. Their friendship is truly a beautiful thing to witness.

Meet Michelle German, CNA Concierge/SSD at Springhill Village, and resident Gloria Ballard.

Michelle and Gloria love jewelry and always strive to be fashionable. The two of them got to know each other during National Nursing Home Week when they participated in Springhill Village’s “Wild Wheels” wheelchair parade. Gloria knew she needed to do something to wow the crowd, and Michelle had just the idea. The two of them worked together to decorate Gloria’s wheelchair and have her dress as a fairy, complete with a wand, wings and lots of bling!

Now the two of them share makeup tips, and Michelle helps Gloria accessorize. They have such a close relationship, and Gloria has a simple explanation for why they’ve become such good friends. “It’s always fun to talk about pretty things!”

Meet Kami LaRue, Thrive Coordinator at Rosegate Assisted Living & Garden Homes, and CARE Companion to resident Betty Briggs.

Betty took the idea of starting a Plarning Club to Kami. She loved the idea and helped Betty get the club started. Working together, they are making a difference by improving the lives of homeless people in their community by transforming plastic bags into sleeping mats for those in need.

The process of making Plarn (“plastic yarn”) involves cutting plastic bags into strips, linking them together and rolling them into balls to store until enough is gathered. Much like crocheting with yarn, the Plarn is woven into patterns that will eventually make a sleeping mat. Because of the varied tasks needed to make Plarn, every member of the Rosegate community is welcome to join. From cutting to organizing to rolling, there’s a spot for everyone.

Their club is truly unique and shows how people can come together to help others. Through their initial connection, Betty and Kami are helping to make a difference, and make friends in the community!

Meet Bridget Cowper, Guest Relations Specialist at Brownsburg Meadows Assisted Living, and resident Jesse Storms.

While Bridget and Jesse aren’t related by blood, they have a bond with each other that’s hard to describe as anything other than familial.

Shortly before he moved into Brownsburg Meadows, Jesse’s wife passed away. The move and the loss made for an exceptionally tough adjustment period. However, being familiar with loss herself, Bridget introduced herself and worked to occupy Jesse’s time. In no time, the two of them started to bond over her love of gardening and his stories of the past.

As their connection grew deeper, they came to understand the important roles they played in each other’s lives. Bridget’s parents had already passed, but she considered Jesse to be a parental figure to her all the same. In fact, Bridget asked Jesse to attend her son’s wedding as a stand-in father for her, and he happily accepted. The two of them continue to be inseparable, and they can always be found together enjoying activities and indulging in their love of sweets. Bridget feels very blessed to work at a place where she can enjoy each day with a wonderful person like Jesse, and Jesse is glad to call Brownsburg Meadows Assisted Living his home.

Meet Stephanie Booher, Business Office Manager at Coventry Meadows Assisted Living, and residents Ed and Nila Goshert.

The instant connection started with Stephanie sharing a birthday with Nila and calling each other “Birthday Buddies.” When Ed and Nila transitioned into the Assisted Living from the Garden Home, Ed stated that Stephanie straightened the couple out when they “didn’t know if we were pitching or hitting.”

Stephanie has been such a help to the couple that Nila has Stephanie’s name written down in her Prayer Portal to pray for her each night. Nila also loves to hear Stephanie sing. Nila says she moves her mouth while Stephanie sings to the residents to make other’s think it’s Nila singing. Nila is so touched by Stephanie’s voice that she asked Stephanie to sing at her funeral.

Meet Dee Parish, MDS Coordinator, and resident Martha Brock.

When asked for her words to live by, Brownsburg Meadows resident Martha Brock replied, “Always be yourself and trust in God.” Martha has a special relationship with the MDS Coordinator, Dee Parish. Dee and Martha happen to share the same birthday and they enjoy celebrating together. Dee surprised Martha on her birthday recently by cooking her favorite food: chicken livers.

Dee and Martha also write poems for each other. In addition, while Martha’s grandson was on the Vatican Walk of 5,000 miles, Dee made Martha a book that included information about the stops that Martha’s grandson would be visiting on his journey. Together, they tracked Martha’s grandson online as he completed his journey through Spain.

Dee and Martha share a strong bond that started with a shared birthday, and they are now best of friends.