Misericordia's First Core Value: The Quality of Life
by Linda Buchalo
This article begins an in-depth exploration of each of the core values that make up the Misericordia Community of Believers. Today we focus on the first core value: Quality of Life.
The Community of Believers document summarizes this core value as follows: We value excellence and strive for it in all we do. Each of our residents is a valued person and deserves a worthwhile, quality life. Our staff creates and maintains a professional workplace, which benefits them and provides the residents with a positive environment in which to live. We are committed to this goal.
The mission of Misericordia is to provide the highest possible quality of life for its residents. While many residential facilities answer to the guidelines set by local and federal governments, Misericordia goes a step further to provide a lifestyle that is an extension of each resident’s family home. We gather as one big family, supporting each other in this effort to provide the best possible care for our family members. Each person is treated with dignity and respect. Residents participate in programs both on and off campus and live and work under the auspices of compassionate attentive staff, who provide support services based on individual needs.
Throughout the campus, in every building, there is evidence of the attention to detail and excellent services. Indeed, visitors to the campus often remark on the wide variety of programs and the beautiful campus and facilities.
Residents … Work/life balance is what we seek for ourselves, and Misericordia has done a great job of providing this balance for our family members. Residents have a five-day workweek, whether in outside employment, campus-based employment, or vocational programs. Evenings and weekends are filled with a variety of activities, suited to each person’s needs and abilities. Swimming, fitness, team sports programs, bowling, Special Olympics, singing, concerts, dances, theme parties, and community outings are regular activities. Staying active and interacting with friends certainly makes for a fulfilling life. In addition, residents have quality time with family members, and this is one of the hallmarks of Misericordia.
Kindness abounds at Misericordia and is an expectation that residents quickly learn. The kindness that exudes throughout the campus is one of the contributing factors to the wonderful quality of life at Misericordia. Residents treat each other and staff with respect, making for a generally happy atmosphere.
Staff … Misericordia is known for its high-quality staff, who strive to treat residents and their families with the utmost respect. Staff work with each resident at that individual’s level to ensure the best quality of life. They are keenly aware of residents’ personal needs and of their safety, constantly adjusting to support changing needs. Misericordia is not a one size fits all place—each individual receives services and care tailored to that individual person.
Staff work hard to maintain clean, safe, joyful, and homelike living areas. And based on their own talents, staff provide a wide variety of experiences to the residents, whether engaging them in music, games, cooking, exercise, and so much more.
Families … Parents and guardians actively participate in the planning of programs for their family members. They attend meetings and staffings, and new family members receive the resources they need to begin their Misericordia journey. Families oversee the care of their family members and support staff in this most important task of providing a high quality of life for all Misericordia residents. Indeed, new families quickly become an integral part of the greater Misericordia family and become familiar with Misericordia programs and services.
Misericordia considers itself an extension of family life for each resident, rather than an alternative or a replacement. And the family members who visit and volunteer on campus certainly add to the quality of life. A parent might coach a sports event, assist in the fitness center, or work alongside a resident server in the Greenhouse Inn. Activities such as these contribute to a good life for Mis residents by delivering a variety of experiences, offering support, and providing companionship.
Organization … Misericordia is committed to a continuum of care for its residents and is constantly looking for new ways to serve them. This includes modernization of existing facilities as well as adding new residential areas and services. In the last ten years, Misericordia has extended housing to meet the needs of the aging population, opened a dental clinic, a hair salon, and added new opportunities in the vocational and social arenas. Wellness activities have been an important focus at Misericordia, with newly hired dieticians, plans to expand the fitness center, and on-campus medical services.
Leadership reaches out to people in the greater community to bring their talents to Misericordia as volunteers and friends. The organization is committed to providing a home where residents can work, live, and thrive, and where they can pursue a fulfilling and meaningful life, engaged in various social activities. Leadership also communicates with families through regular meetings, newsletters, and email, to keep families informed.
To its great credit, Misericordia has been incredibly successful in engaging its stakeholders to expect, promote, support, and work to achieve and maintain a truly wonderful life for all who are a part of this great place. Residents are genuinely happy to live here, parents feel blessed, and the number of staff and leadership who have stayed the course is a testament to the quality of life.
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