From the Blog: Resident inspires nurse’s work with Alzheimer’s patients
Mother figures play a crucial role in shaping us and providing guidance, support and love to help us grow. Whether they are biological mothers or grandmothers or women who have taken on a nurturing role in our lives, all leave an indelible mark on who we are.
Kelly Manko, Director of Nursing at Kingwood Healthcare Center, considers herself blessed to have several strong women who have positively influenced her life and career. However, one woman, in particular, played a unique role in inspiring her to work with Alzheimer’s patients – a woman who she wasn’t biologically related to but lovingly called “Grandma.”
In her 22 years as a nurse at Kingwood, Kelly has worked with many residents with Alzheimer’s Disease. When she met Grandma more than a decade ago, she didn’t realize the lasting impact it would have on her career and her heart.
Grandma would often sit near the windowsill of Kingwood Healthcare Center and cry, thinking of her late husband whom she believed was buried outside the window. One evening, Kelly vividly remembers Grandma crying, and as she was walking down the hall, she stopped and hugged her. She immediately thought, “God, why do you let things like this happen? Why don’t you do something about it?” This thought was followed by lyrics from a familiar song.
“In Matthew West’s song, ‘Do Something,’ he reminds us that God did do something; he created us, so it’s up to us to go and do something about it,'” Kelly said. “I then walked her to my office to sit while I worked.”
From that point forward, Grandma would refer to Kelly as her girl, kid or daughter. The two became attached. Occasionally, the facility would call Kelly to come in during the night because Grandma felt afraid. Once she saw Kelly, she would instantly show a sense of relief.
Kelly and Grandma enjoyed many memories together, including pedicures, shopping, shooting BB guns, taking horse lessons, watching movies, and celebrating birthdays. The two became integral parts of each other’s families.
“She made me realize so much that Alzheimer’s residents need to be approached with a different level of love, patience and understanding that I realized my heart could provide; therefore, I hold a huge spot in my heart for such residents, with Grandma being a huge impact on my why,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s interest in nursing, and more specifically, long-term care, began at an early age. When she was eight years old, she visited a nursing home with her church youth group to participate in an adopt-a-grandparent activity. “I really enjoyed it and decided to start coming in to volunteer,” Kelly said. “I spent the majority of my years from that point forward in the facility every spare minute that I had.”
Her mother and biological grandmother, whom she calls “mom-mom,” supported her choice to pursue nursing school. “My mom and my mom-mom always encouraged me to follow my dreams and never let anything stand in the way,” Kelly said. “On days that I felt like giving up and quitting nursing school, they would push me and make sure that I knew this was a normal feeling to have.”
The facility where she volunteered happens to be the same one she has spent her entire career so far.
Grandma passed away in 2017, and while the two were only close for about five years, like her mom and mom-mom, Grandma was an inspiration to her. “She made an impression on my mind and heart, and didn’t even realize it due to her Alzheimer’s,” Kelly said. “These three women have had a huge impact on my career choice, my passion and my life in general. I have been blessed.”
