Blog

Dawn Duell in her previous roles at Wake Robin

As spring edges toward summer, we are in graduation season. We want to share a story of one of our own who liked to graduate so much, she did it several times!

Dawn Duell came to Wake Robin fresh out of high school. That was one graduation. She joined us in Dining Services and had a number of different responsibilities over five years. She intended to be part of our next training program for Licensed Nursing Assistants or LNA, but the start date was delayed. She took a brief break to start a family and came back to us in 2015 in the role of Dining Operations Coordinator.  According to Dawn, “I loved my position but my passion and love for nursing never went away.”

She researched what was required to get into a nurse education program and took online classes to take the prerequisite courses. Dawn learned Wake Robin had partnered with the State of Vermont for the Long-Term Care (LTC) Cohort Program, and she was eligible as a Wake Robin employee to be part of it. She won multiple grants and a Wake Robin scholarship to cover her training and then immersed herself in the pursuit of her goal.

Working a full-time day job, followed by evening classes and weekend clinical practicums, plus drive time to and from Randolph, Dawn flourished in the learning of her new career. She came back to Wake Robin as an LNA in our Linden Health Center to get some hands-on experience and also earned her Certified Practical Nurse designation. Another graduation. Shortly after, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse while still working here. Dawn continued her classes, earning the associate’s degree in nursing, generally recognized as Registered Nurse. On May 17 of this year, she was honored at one more graduation in recognition of this milestone.

Dawn says, “I absolutely would not have been able to accomplish this career without the support from the Wake Robin residents. The scholarship fund they contribute to has made a significant impact in my story.” An amazing personal drive led Dawn to a career she had dreamed about, and the support of the Wake Robin community helped her achieve it. Congratulations to our recent graduate!

Dawn with her coworkers at Wake Robin

Residents join together for the weekly Cup of Conversation

You have probably heard of the town-hall style meeting we have each week called Cup of Conversation. Its origin goes back to the beginning of Wake Robin while still under construction, as a means to keep everyone apprised of progress, changes, and updates.

These days, Cup is a forum for the exchange of information, and it is all over the map. We draw about 150 people as the live audience in our Meeting Room and more can join via the livestream camera. Meagan Buckley, CEO/President, presides at the podium with many guests over the course of the one-hour meeting. We get reports from various departments as well as announcements from committees and individual residents. After the meeting, we produce an electronic record known as “Written Cup” that serves as a summary of all that transpired. It’s fascinating to see the variety of issues addressed in one session.

At one recent Cup, details from a number of different sources were shared:

• The annual Pancake Breakfast for staff and residents celebrating the wonderful end result of the maple syrup production season.
• The schedule of maintenance from Environmental Services to service and repair heating and cooling systems in each home. There are 250 homes here.
• Announcement of the first session of the Russian Literature class.
• Part 3 of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Archaeology Series- Underwater Archaeology of Commerce: Steamboat and Canal Boat Wrecks of Lake Champlain.
• Scam of the Week identified by a resident who suspected something wasn’t right about the guy on the phone claiming to be from a prominent bank. The resident did not get fooled and reported the incident to the Vermont Attorney General’s office.
• Sign up for Green Up Day (statewide effort in Vermont to clean up roadside trash).
• An upcoming presentation from the Racial Justice Committee focusing on race and our criminal justice system. The speakers were two professors emerita from UVM.

From pancakes to racial justice…you never know where the next Cup will take you.

Wake Robin President & CEO, Meagan Buckley at the Tag Sale with Resident volunteers.

Saturday, June 7, 9:00 AM. You will want to put that on your calendar, so you don’t miss the next Wake Robin Tag Sale. This popular activity has happened every year since 1995 with only a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It’s the biggest event run by the Wake Robin Residents Association, and it feeds the activity budget for the year.

The Tag Sale is planned out over a whole year with seven collection dates to amass the treasures. This is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to the nth degree. Over 40 volunteers take part in sorting the merchandise, and there are teams of Gleaners and Wranglers to select and move the items. There are 17 leadership positions, team leaders, and even designated cookie-bakers! It’s a well-oiled machine that spreads out over the one third acre site, the Hornbeam garage.

All Hornbeam residents know that they will have to park elsewhere for about a week in preparation for the sale. The floor gets power-washed, and all the merchandise is laid out in 19 departments…furniture, gardening, books, lamps, art, kitchenware, and much more.

On that Saturday morning, shoppers will begin lining up before 7:00 for the 9:00 start. It only runs until 3:00 so get ready for some competitive shopping! We had roughly 1,250 customers last year, and the lucky ones are offered a fresh-baked cookie while in the checkout line. Over half of the items will be sold and the remainder will be given to local charities. It’s a clean finish to a huge undertaking.

A special treat this year for the stars of our Tag Sale (all the residents) will be the screening of a documentary shot at last year’s event. The title? Tag Sale!

Residents work closely with the Shelburne Food Shelf

When people talk to us about why they want to come to Wake Robin, one of the reasons given is that they are looking for a sense of community. Equally important are the facility’s ties to the broader community outside of where they live. As life situations change, many find themselves separated from the life they once led. There can be feelings of isolation.

A recent article in iAdvance Senior Care, an online magazine, featured interviews with three senior care facility CEOs, including Wake Robin’s Meagan Buckley. While there are differences among the facilities, there are common threads for the foundations of success. The bonds between residents, staff, leadership and the community beyond, create a nurturing environment essential for daily operations.

Many residents have previously supported their communities before moving here. “They have always wanted to be engaged and now is a time in their life where they can give more time and wisdom to the greater community – ultimately providing profound meaning,” according to Meagan.

All three executives recognized the value of connecting with the outside world to further build relationships. Meagan gave the Wake Robin Tag Sale as an example of a long-term event (over 30 years!) that provides an opportunity to draw community attendees. Last year’s tag sale brought almost 1,000 shoppers to our campus to interact with our residents and score some great deals!

Outside of our campus, some residents supported the Pierson library campaign, they sit on Shelburne’s finance committee, and volunteer at the food shelf and schools. Some residents even hold the title of Justice of the Peace.

Staying active and staying connected… These community partnerships enrich the lives of everyone involved.

Residents work together to create window inserts to use towards a community project.

What an appropriate time of year to tell you about efforts to conserve heat!

Wake Robin is well known as an environmentally focused community. We are a member of SSAFE (Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment) and there is a resident-run group  called the Climate Change Task Force. Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle are actions we take every day. It’s not surprising that some of our residents got involved with Window Dressers, a non-profit based in the Northeast that has a simple, inexpensive answer to keeping warmth inside the house.

Window Dressers began in Rockland, Maine with an insulation project at the Universalist Church. It worked so well that it quickly spread to other places. These are custom-sized pine frames wrapped in two layers of tightly sealed, clear plastic film and finished with a compressible foam gasket to function as interior storm windows. They fit inside the window frame without the use of fasteners. They are easily installed and removed.

That explains what they are, but how do they get built? This is where the volunteer labor comes in and how Wake Robin residents jumped in with both feet. The Window Dresser model depends on Community Builds to make the inserts in one marathon session to meet all the orders placed. Judy R. heads up the effort at Wake Robin and she went to a Build in Middlebury along with residents Jim W. and Maggie H. to learn how to do it. They set up their own Community Build in the Shelburne Town Hall and another 15 Wake Robin residents joined in for the workday last October. They made nearly 200 inserts!

Neighbors helping neighbors to save energy and reduce heating costs; a simple way of spreading warmth.

In our recent print version of our newsletter, there was a message from Meagan Buckley, Wake Robin’s president and CEO. It’s a message that bears repeating.

I was deeply moved recently by a resident’s story that beautifully highlighted the impact of a fellow community member who had passed away. It was a powerful reminder of the legacies we each leave behind—legacies that may not always be widely known but are profoundly felt by those who have experienced them.

In that moment, I was struck by the richness of our community’s storytelling and memory archiving. These shared stories allow the essence of individuals to live on, inspiring others and shaping the heart of our community. Every resident and staff member at Wake Robin contributes in meaningful ways, leaving impressions that resonate throughout our lives, sometimes in ways we might not immediately recognize.

Our staff play a crucial role in this as well. The care, dedication, and passion they bring to their work leave lasting impressions on the lives of our residents. Whether through a compassionate gesture, a supportive word, or the consistent effort to make each day a little brighter, our staff create legacies that are just as impactful. Their influence is woven into the daily lives of those they serve, often leaving behind memories and connections that endure long after a task is completed, or a shift ends.

Whether through a kind word, a lasting friendship, or a physical contribution that enhances our environment, each of us has the power to leave a lasting legacy. As we move forward, let’s make it a priority to keep this tradition alive. By sharing our stories, we not only honor those who have touched our lives but also ensure that their influence continues to grow and inspire others. Together, we can nurture a community where each legacy, no matter how small, is cherished and celebrated.

In this holiday season and with the arrival of a new year, I encourage each of you to take time for rest, reflection, and celebration with loved ones. Whether you’re enjoying the company of family or connecting with friends, please take a moment to embrace the joy and warmth that the season brings. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season, filled with peace, love, and happiness. May the new year bring you health and contentment.

Wake Robin Board Member, Art Wright, Wake Robin President & CEO, Meagan Buckley, Wake Robin Board Member, John Maitland.

Meagan Buckley

Wake Robin President & CEO

“We’re Green, we’re Grey, and we’re NOT going away!” That’s the motto for the 15 chapters of Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment…SSAFE. Wake Robin is one of those chapters and last month, we hosted two officers of the national organization.

Michelle Goodwin, CEO, and Joel Brady, Chair of the Board of Directors, were our guests for a couple of days. They came to give a presentation to the residents and spent some time walking around meeting people, sharing meals in our dining room, and exchanging ideas with our own Climate Action Task Force. All are interested in learning from each other how we can best work together to address climate change.

SSAFE started at Kendal at Hanover and has added 14 more communities since 2020. They said the key word in the name of the group is “Acting.” The movement is growing quickly and they are about to embark on creating a five-year strategic plan. On the website is a Resource Hub offering templates, ideas for funding, case stories, videos, recommended reading and viewing, and a newsletter. One chapter at a time, the goal is to achieve carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions by 2050.

Michelle and Joel heard about Wake Robin’s environmental stewardship activities and explored possible collaborative efforts. In their presentation they described some of the work of the various chapters and why they chose to create this organization comprised of retirement communities. They said the members of senior communities are perfect sources for leadership to push the agenda. They have experience, they have resources, and they have time to devote to this work.

They liked what they heard here so much that they have invited resident Sarah M. to give a presentation to the SSAFE General Committee. Sarah’s topic is “The Epic Tale of Reuse and Repurpose at Wake Robin” or what is better known as “The Tag Sale.”

For more information: ssafe.org

Operating a health center means you must be licensed and that involves a review every year. These surveys are unannounced. You are under review the moment the survey team comes to your door. Wake Robin recently got some very good news from one of our state regulators. This report comes to us from Heather Filonow, Director of Health & Resident Services.

The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, & Independent Living, Survey & Certification Team arrived at the Linden Health Center the morning of Monday, October 7th to begin the annual re-licensure process. The focus of this survey was our skilled and long-term care neighborhoods (Cedar and Juniper). The survey team was on-site for three full days. The highest rating you can get is “no deficiencies” and Heather was proud to tell us “We had a deficiency-free survey!”

The survey looked at medical records of current and discharged residents back to August of 2023. They interviewed numerous residents and family members about the care and services we provide. They reviewed our policies and procedures and asked the staff questions. They observed our daily operations – care, meals, activities, housekeeping, therapy, responses to pendants, our engagement with residents, our infection practices in action and more – and they determined that Wake Robin is in compliance with all of the State and Federal regulations to which we are accountable.

Closing thoughts from Heather: “Excellent quality outcomes in our Health Center are not the result of one person or one department. Excellent quality outcomes are the result of everyone working together and supporting one another with the shared goal of providing high quality and compassionate care, with respect and dignity, to the residents that have entrusted us with their care. The Linden Health Center staff make this happen every hour of every day.”

For the uninitiated, we start with a definition: Fairy Gardens—also called enchanted gardens—are minuscule plots that include live plants, tiny statues, and other accessories such as furniture, fountains, or swings. They’re constructed indoors or out from items you already own, purchased from a store, or things you find: pine cones, sticks, stones, miniature decorations. Maybe pumpkins!

In a small plot of soil next to the entrance to the Hornbeam building, you will find Wake Robin’s newest sitework…our very own Fairy Garden. The garden’s creator, Sue G., worked her way up to this fantasy project through her lifelong interest in gardening.

Through two previous house moves, Sue said she missed the greenspaces she had cultivated over the years and left behind. Coming to Wake Robin, she quickly volunteered to work as a helper with our landscape crew. Her tasks included weeding and dead-heading gardens around Hornbeam; then she thought she might try something more whimsical.

Sue had made a small Fairy Garden in a pot when she lived in Maine, and that gave her the idea to transform a larger area at her new home into something fun. She adopted a space that was mostly mulch and adapted it for a more playful use. She transplanted some items from overgrown areas and added a few Fairy touches such as doors, fencing, flagstones, and small figures.

At first, Sue wondered if other residents and staff would appreciate her effort or even approve of it. Then she found other people making little additions to her Fairy Garden…another small plant, three ceramic dogs, personal touches that added up to group participation. Residents from Maple have made the trek up the hill to Hornbeam to see for themselves. Sue says the “unintended celebrity” surprised her.

If you are looking for inspiration to start your own Fairy Garden, Sue is happy to consult. She’ll even sign an autograph!

Tasia leading a meditation session with residents

Simply put, an Occupational Therapist spends time with individuals to find out what they usually do in their day-to-day life and identifies challenges they face. Then they help to find ways to overcome those challenges.

The University of Vermont recently started an Occupational Therapy (OT) training program and Wake Robin is part of their field study component. Tasia Benham, M.S. OTR/L, C-MLD, is their instructor while they are with us. So far, we have had three UVM students do their Wake Robin rounds and there will be one more this winter and another in the spring. One OT student did her 3-month rotation here. Another OT student did her 2-week observational fieldwork with us and requested a return to do her Capstone research, a kind of final thesis.

To support the wellbeing of our residents, Wake Robin offers Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. These are standard offerings in many retirement communities contributing to a holistic approach to healthcare. They differ in their purposes with OT focused on fine motor movements, hygiene tasks, or improving cognitive abilities. PT is designed to help people perform tasks independently and reduce their risk of falling. A Speech-Language Pathologist can help with speech problems and communication disorders, as well as assessing difficulties with eating and swallowing.

Tasia says the UVM program is a welcome opportunity. She herself had to find a school outside of Vermont as there were no OT training programs in the state at that time. She is now certified as a field-work educator contributing to the professional standards established by UVM in their doctorate-level OT program. She says over her years of work she finds Wake Robin to be the most client-centered approach she has ever experienced. Tasia is part of a team of six full-time therapists at Wake Robin who all share the same approach to their work: we provide health services to our residents and are always aware that “we are in their home.”