In the know.

Nancy, the Life Changer

Her name is Nancy Knutson, our Life Style Director, and she changes the lives of our residents at MRC Crestview/Arbor Oaks, every day. I mean every day, even weekends, as you cannot keep her away from her “people”. During this COVID-19 crisis, she was experiencing her own personal crisis. Her Mother and Father live in North Dakota, in a community, much like Crestview. They are on “lock-down” – to help prevent the spread of this virus. She has not been able to visit with them in months. Her Mother lives independently there, but her Father suffered from Parkinson’s and was residing in the Skilled Nursing wing. As his condition worsened, she felt the guilt that we are all feeling, for not being there with her parents. Unable to cross the state lines in North Dakota to support them, she found joy every day, supporting all of us here at MRC Crestview. Every one of our residents are treated like a Mom and Dad in our community.

Support through distance

As her Father declined in his health, and was placed on Hospice, his wife was finally allowed to enter his room and spend his last few hours holding his hand. Nancy was able to have a final conversation with him, on one of his “good” days, and was able to say good-bye and “I love you”. Can you imagine what that is like, to be able to support so many residents in your job, but not to be able to support your own family?

Active, Moving and Motivated

Nancy is now “Walking Across Texas” with her residents. Putting in miles, virtually every day, along with our residents who are finding this new way of being active, quite enjoyable. She makes everything enjoyable for our lucky group. We have literally changed everything about their daily lives, from glamorous dining to in apartment delivery, from live exercise to zoom classes, from large howdy hours to doorway howdy hours. The creativity has not waivered. It’s always about the people for Nancy and her best assistant, Chaplain Gary Adams. She walks along, keeping our resident family motivated, both spiritually and physically, giving purpose to their lives.

Author: Eva Hutton