Future health care providers from McHenry High School’s CNA Program showing love to The Courtyard at McHenry’s furry resident!
Applause for the Next Generation of Senior Caregivers
The future of senior care looks bright! The positive outlook is based on the latest crop of local high school students training to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) at ENCORE SENIOR LIVING’S Courtyard at McHenry senior living community.
The Courtyard is collaborating with McHenry Community High School and Northwestern Memorial Hospital to provide future health care professionals with an opportunity to perform their clinical training at the senior living community.
“We are proud to be part of this partnership and offer local teens valuable teaching opportunities while helping bridge the generation gap,” said The Courtyard at McHenry’s Administrator, Christy McFarlane. “The students bring a helping hand to our residents and staff as well as a healthy dose of youthful energy and enthusiasm to our entire community.”
Megan C., CNA, successfully completed her clinicals at The Courtyard at McHenry and learned a lot from the intergenerational experience to help further her career.
CNA Program is a Win-Win
As part of the high school’s Biomedical Science CNA Program, students learn how to support RNs and LPNs and become excellent, hands-on caregivers.
By introducing the next generation of caregivers to the experience of working with older adults at The Courtyard, the hope is that more young people may be inspired to choose careers in senior living. Either way, the present-day, tangible and intangible benefits of the intergenerational experience are a bonus for both the young and old.
Bonding between the teens and seniors inadvertently happens during blood pressure checks, room tidying, shared meals, or the many other roles the CNAs-in-training carry out during their time at The Courtyard.
Over the weeks, friendships blossomed. “The students brought energy, laughter, and fresh perspectives to the residents, while the seniors provided wisdom, patience, and life lessons,” said Jodi Borck, The Courtyard’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
“I thoroughly enjoyed completing my CNA clinicals at The Courtyard,” said Megan C., who is now officially a CNA after finishing the program. “In memory care, I learned to help care for the residents by giving them autonomy, and in assisted living I discovered how caregivers can impact residents’ day-to-day quality of life.”
The experience shaped both generations—the teenagers learned the true meaning of empathy, and the seniors felt valued, sharing their wisdom with eager minds.
To learn more about the Courtyard at McHenry’s CNA training program or the senior living lifestyle, contact Jodi Borck at (815) 385-9840 or [email protected] or visit www.thecourtyardatmchenry.com.
