Homemade Cards at Doolittle

After receiving hand-made cards for their birthdays, anniversaries and the holidays, the residents at Doolittle Home in Foxboro had a radical idea – they wanted to learn to make their own cards. Proving that you are never too old to learn, these 80 and 90 year olds have been great students and are enjoying creating their own special hand-made greeting cards.

Trustee Lynne Sarikas has been sending cards for several years but now she has become the leader of the card-making classes at Doolittle Home. The response from the residents has been enthusiastic. The first session saw nine residents actively participating and the second session had a total of eleven. Anticipation is already building for the next session.

Using rubber stamps and various colors of ink, the residents create their own unique cards. They have great deliberations over who is special enough to receive one of their special cards. The residents proudly display their creations to the staff and their visitors. As one resident stated, “It is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.” Yet another noted, “I never thought I’d be doing something like this and I just love it.”

According to Lynne, “They are naturals – they quickly picked up the basic concepts and actually enjoy making their own cards unique.” While originally concerned that tying ribbons on the cards might be too much for the residents, they are quick to lend a finger to their helpers if they can’t do the tying themselves and they love the finishing touches. Depending on vision and manual dexterity some need a little more guidance than others but all participate enthusiastically.

The residents have quickly learned to put a design on the back of their cards as their own personal “Hallmark” symbol. Lynne also repeatedly assures them that “stamping is a forgiving art – there is a reason paper has two sides.”

In order to provide attentive assistance, Lynne had assistance from Marge Authelet, Jane Grady, Helen Rochelle and Joanne Pratt. Joanne is also a trustee at Doolittle Home and Marge is a former trustee.

Danielle Kelly

Danielle Kelly may still be a senior in high school but she clearly knows what she wants to do with her life and is well on the road to achieving her goals. Couple her focus with the Doolittle Home’s commitment to promoting from within and supporting staff development and it is perfect match.

Danielle started at Doolittle Home about a year and a half ago as a dietary aide but knew she ultimately wanted to be a nurse. After hearing about the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program from a friend, Danielle started the program in September. She successfully completed her three months of classes and her one month clinical requirement at Life Care in Attleboro. Danielle graduated from the CNA program and recently passed the Red Cross test.

Danielle will continue working at Doolittle Home but will now be working for Christine Kent, Director of Nursing as a CNA. Danielle is thrilled to begin her nursing experience in a facility she knows with residents she knows and loves. She will monitor eating, showers and bathroom visits while assisting as needed. She particularly looks forward to pampering the residents a bit by helping with their hair and nails. Knowing the residents already will help her focus on their personal preferences.

Danielle is currently a senior at Foxboro High School, looking forward to graduation in June. She hopes to attend UMass Boston to major in nursing and is finding the waiting game difficult.

Danielle explained, “I love Doolittle Home. My training in other facilities highlights how special this place really is and the unique level of personal care we deliver here. I’m so excited to be working in the best home.”

Danielle also serves as a hospice volunteer. While it is very difficult, she knows it makes a difference for the patients and their families and it makes a difference for her too. She has met many interesting people and treasures the memorable stories she has heard. According to Danielle, “Doing this work changes me as well. The patients and their families probably don’t realize how much they help me too.”

We are proud to have special people like Danielle on our Doolittle Home staff.