Windsor Elms Village focuses on student support

Windsor Elms Village (WEV) continues to foster a commitment to meet the emerging needs of all long-term care residents. Staffing is essential to care and its demand is being felt across the province.

By turning to students across a wide range of educational standpoints, WEV has tapped into a valuable resource to meet these needs. They provide a new and youth-filled perspective to inner workings.

Many of the students have far-reaching backgrounds and various levels of education. Students are eager to build upon their portfolio, especially those who are actively trying to better their resumes within health care and social science fields.

“[WEV] allowed me to dip my toes in different environments. You can always fall right back into the work routine even if you had to take time off for exams or life ... The Elms were always accommodating and flexible,” said Kim, 28,

CAA position studying for her LPN.

However, these are not the only kind of roles which are available.

Some are prior volunteers now in an employee role, while others are new to WEV.

“I go to Avon View High School and I am in Grade 12. I didn’t know a whole lot

[about the Elms] even being a local from Falmouth ... I would even come up and visit the Elms way back with my elementary school, doing crafts and stuff, but it didn’t really give me an actual understanding of what the Elms means to people until being here this summer. I think being here has allowed me to learn a lot, ” said Jack, 17, in a recreational position.

“Being able to build friendships with residents and get a smile or little laugh here and there in times like these makes all the difference,” added Becca, 18, a volunteer to the recreational position.

From high school students, future undergraduates, to even studying to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), WEV is eager to find a placement in which they will excel.

Feedback from student-based staff has been unequivocally positive. All who volunteered to be interviewed spoke very highly of the positive and unique work environment, commenting on the teamoriented support networks that were always made available to them.

It’s pivotal to work safely and efficiently, especially in these unprecedented times of COVID-19. The residences are vulnerable: 82 per cent of Canada’s COVID-19 deaths have been in long-term care. WEV has not had a single case as of print deadline.

“There was a lot of hard work and it [COVID-19] was really hard to adapt to. It definitely made it harder for us to work normally. It was difficult at first, but I think after a couple of months of living with constant changes, everyone got used to having things changing almost every day,” said Kim, 28, CAA position studying for her LPN.

Beyond all of these factors, the most valuable thing that benefited from supporting students at WEV is the newfound passions being fostered here.

“I was always interested in nursing and after spending some time here I definitely can see myself looking more into programs,” Ryan, 20, recreation, said.