b'SENIOR LIVING CARES FUNDNickeisha, pictured here at her desk near the entrance of Madison Village. Her friendly face is one of the first that visitors see when they enter the homeThe Senior Living CaRES Fund: A personal storyBy Rebecca Scott RawnA t Madison Village, a 78-bedThe Senior Living CaRES Fund wasof workers in long-term carelong-term care home in Stoneycreated to honour the extraordinaryhomes and retirement communities Creek, Nickeisha is known as "thededication of those working in theacross Canada. GPS of the home." As an Administrativesenior living sectorindividuals Assistant, her responsibilities go farlike Nickeisha whose passion andNickeisha is an excellent example of beyond paperwork and scheduling; shecommitment to caring for the mostthe people that CaRES was designed is the friendly face residents, familiesvulnerable is nothing short of heroic.to honour, support and uplift. Her and staff see when they need direction,Established in 2020 in response to thejourney to working in long-term care support or reassurance.immense challenges facing the seniorwas inspired by her upbringing and living community during the globala pivotal moment on a bus, where In 2023, Nickeisha received a bursaryCOVID-19 pandemic, CaRES stands she noticed no one offering a seat to from the Senior Living CaRES Fundas an enduring symbol of gratitudean elderly woman. Her dedication to to take courses toward a leadershipand recognition.residents is at the heart of her work. certificate at Mohawk College.She plays a crucial role in the move-in These studies have deepened herCaRES has a continuing mission toprocess, ensuring new residents and understanding of the homes operationsinvest in team members to enable thetheir families feel supported during and fuelled her desire to take on morehighest quality of life for Canadians inwhat can be an emotional transition. responsibilities. She plans to spendsenior living. Since its inception, the her entire career in long-term care,charity has distributed more than Nickeishas warm demeanour makes continuously learning and contributing$3 million in emergency financial aidher a comforting presence for new to the field. and education bursaries to hundredsresidents and their families, who often 54 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2025'