2021

Andrea Longe knows Wake Robin well. She’s worked here for 19 years and started out as a receptionist at the front desk for 3 years. After earning her degree in social work, she moved on to the health services team. Now, as the Recreation Service Coordinator who manages programs for the Linden Health Center, she takes a person-centered approach in implementing ways to inspire and engage residents. Andrea curates the quality and experience of resident engagement, builds out calendar programing, and monitors the psycho-social-spiritual wellness of each resident. “I look at my job as collaborating with residents,” Andrea reflected. “What interests them? What’s something new they want to try? It’s important to really know our community in order to best serve them.”

 Andrea loves her job!

The variety of events ongoing in the Health Center certainly reflect the diverse pursuits of residents. More than half of all Linden residents participate in daily exercises classes, which are offered both in person and through televised routines featured on WRTV, Wake Robins internal channel. Especially during the pandemic, Andrea noted that “fitness has been the most common outlet for residents.” Andrea and her recreation services team found ways to incentive cardio, too. A recent “Walking Challenge” prompted many residents to take part in an expedition in which over 300,000 steps were counted, and the winner was awarded a prize.

While day trips for Linden residents were paused during the pandemic, trips to restaurants, museums, and parks – just among a few examples – are a major part of the Linden experience, and fortunately they can soon resume. All Linden residents are vaccinated, and the first trip will be to the Shelburne Beach for a classic summer barbeque!

It comes down to relationships for Andrea and the rest of the Recreation Services Team. Relationships with fellow staff, residents, and residents’ families. The pandemic was a challenging time when families could not physically visit Linden residents, and Andrea recognizes the deep trust and support she and her team had from resident families. “Our relationships with families really strengthened because they relied on us to take care of their loved ones and we took that as our greatest responsibility.”

He supervises dining servers and welcomes residents to lunch and dinner, but many residents believe Dennis DeSimone, Dining Services Floor Manager, is the primary “cheerer-upper of Wake Robin.” Dennis sees his role in similar terms. “My main job is making sure residents are happy and all their dining needs are met.”

 Dennis brings smiles to residents!

44 years in the restaurant industry, Dennis once owned and operated his own Italian restaurant and pizzeria. He’s worked in every role in the kitchen, from dishwasher, to cook, to server. The thing that makes him love his job is the interaction. He’s often the first point of contact when residents arrive for their meal. He makes sure to say hello and goodbye to everyone, and he personalizes every interaction. Approaching residents with a smile and good humor, Dennis is able to put residents at ease and make them feel included in a social environment.

Dennis plays a major part on the Dining Services team and collaborates well with chefs, servers, and the Director of Dining, Kate Hays. “He brings such great energy to the floor and a real personal touch,” Kate said. “The residents really respond to his cheerful demeanor and how he runs things.”

As he monitors the dining floor, Dennis sees how delighted residents are when eating fresh cooked meals. “I can’t emphasize enough the high quality of our food and the professionalism of our kitchen. Each recipe is prepared by experienced chefs.” Choosing a favorite meal at Wake Robin is hard because there are so many flavorful options, but if he had to pick one it would be the shrimp bake. “The fettucine mixing with the seafood is just unbelievable!”

Like a handful of other residents, Pat and Bill made Wake Robin their new home during the pandemic. They relocated from California and were eager to begin a new chapter of their lives in a quintessential four-season New England setting by Lake Champlain. “We fell in love with the environment,” Bill, a former public defender, said. “Wake Robin is our ideal place to be active both in our cultural pursuits, as well as in our exercise interests like swimming and hiking.”

L to R: Pat and Bill arrived to Wake Robin from California during the pandemic

While still living in California, Pat and Bill enjoyed the support from Wake Robin as they made their transition. The Marketing Team helped them finalize home choices through Zoom and FaceTime, and Wake Robin coordinated travel and lodging plans with them. “I’m so grateful to be here,” Pat, a career social worker, said. “When we arrived at Wake Robin and had to quarantine, we found the kitchen stocked with ‘Welcome Home’ food and gifts. The entire staff made our trip from California to Wake Robin possible because of their stellar communication, care, and dedicated manner to helping us settle in.”

Pat and Bill dove right into the Wake Robin lifestyle. They frequent the new fitness center often and swim laps in the Aquatics Center. They’ve also taken advantage of the one-on-one trainings offered by Wake Robin’s physical therapists. They’ve explored Wake Robin’s four miles of wooded trails, which is a great way to know the campus

Reflecting on the adventure he and Pat took, Bill was clear on how they’re doing at Wake Robin. “We know that this was the best decision we have ever made in coming to live here!”