WORK WE DO
THE WORK WE DO:
Delaire Gardens Assisted Living
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At Delaire Gardens and Assisted Living in Linden, NJ, 1199ers help patients with many different kinds of issues: some patients stay only for short visits, like joint replacement rehabilitation cases, while others, like residents with Alzheimer’s, are at Delaire for the long term. 1199SEIU represents service and maintenance workers at the institution, like CNA Devin Pittman, who acknowledges a connection to her residents that many people don’t understand. “I love my patients,” says Pittman, “I just love helping them. It’s hard not getting attached and then when they leave us it’s difficult.” 2 1. Restorative CNA Danny Mota often works as a team with fellow Restorative CNA Catherine Bird (shown in photo 8). Mota has been at Delaire for four years.
2. Ruby N. Roman has been a CNA at Delaire for more than 26 years. She became a Restorative CNA a few years ago when there was an opening in the department. She is currently taking delegate training in preparation for becoming a delegate in the future. “I like to communicate with the employees and with the patients,” says Roman. “I like to see improvement and I like to encourage people.”
3. CNA Devin Pittman is the single mom of three kids (ages 14, 10 and 2), but says juggling schedules, homework, bath time and a hectic life doesn’t dampen her love for her work. “I’ve always been a helper. If I don’t have anything I’ll give you my heart, that’s just the way my mother raised me,” she says.
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