Staff

“Using our personal gifts to be of service to others is the fullest expression of our lives”

Michelle & Christine

Michelle (Left) & Christine (Right) sharing their musical gifts with the Lodge

Serenity Lodge is dedicated to employing people who believe in the model of providing quality care to the seniors we provide a home to. We put considerable effort into finding employees that possess an attitude of genuine caring and empathy for those we are privileged to care for. We, as a team tap into our humanity when we put ourselves in another’s shoes and truly are concerned for their welfare. We -each shift they work. True humanity grows as we serve others. There is no “they” only “us” in our attitude that together our team is creating something none of us could do on our own.

We search for personalities that show a positive and cheerful outlook. Even serene workplaces can bring challenges at times. Respect is an attitude of honoring ourselves and others. We care for each others dignity. We show respect in the courtesy of our words, our body language and in our tone of voices.

Our work can be very rewarding but can have its challenges as well. Our team uses our training and the support of each other, to do our best to embrace challenges with confidence and optimism. We are very grateful to have a team that is reliable and dependable.

 

All staff on Serenity Lodge’s caregiving team take advantage of annual professional enrichment opportunities offered. We look for all opportunities to improve our team skills. All staff take part in their renewal of all mandatory courses, and more. Examples of such would be:

  • Emergency First aid
  • Fire and Life Safety
  • Medication Awareness
  • Non Violence Crisis Intervention

  • Alzheimer and Dementia courses
  • “You First” program
  • “The Working Mind”
  • Infection Prevention and Control

 

An introduction to Serenity Lodge’s present staff

 


Christine MacAskill

Christine MacAskill

Christine is the Owner/Administrator as well as past RCA at Serenity Lodge. Christine is a 1976 graduate of NSTC in Truro. Christine believes in self improvement. Since Sept. 2001, she has taken many opportunities to attend available training courses over the years. Christine is an idealist who believes we all can find purposefulness in our service to others. She believes in seeing the virtues in others and has diligently lead the team with an attitude of enthusiasm and a desire for the team to practise good self care. She has developed a mission statement that she believes is successful because each teach member helps to create something no one of us can do on our own! Christine has loved playing the guitar in the Lodge’s recreation program.

Karen Shaw

Karen Shaw

Karen is Serenity Lodge’s Site Manager / Care planner/ Bookkeeper and is one of our Residential Care Assistants- Karen joined Serenity Lodge’s team in 2007. A graduate of NSTC and MSVU, Karen’s dedicated caring and compassionate personality has enabled her to excel in her work on our team. Karen leads our team by the example of acknowledging and using our personal virtues in unity as a team. We all appreciate what she does in her leadership role of Serenity Lodge’s team.

Holly Gill

Holly Gill

Holly joined Serenity Lodge’s team also in 2007. A NSCC graduate of their Geriatric Recreational Therapist program, Holly has brought her personable style of enthusiasm to our residents and team in many joyfilled programs, in our daily recreation time slots! Holly’s loving sincerity and dedication to each of the residents, she cares for is so evident. Through her commitment to further studies and her willingness to try new work experience at Serenity Lodge, Holly has earned the designation as a Residential Care Assistant, as well. Holly has lots of flexibility and commitment to our residents and team, that we all appreciate.

Dana Little

Dana Little

Dana joined Serenity Lodge’s team in 2013. Dana graduated from a diploma program at St. Joseph in Halifax. Dana brought valuable work experience from a previous job at Halifax Nursing Home. Dana’s work experience, and her commitment of taking advantage of courses offered to her, brought her to the opportunity as well to qualify for the designation as a Residential Care Assistant. With training in working day and night shifts, we all truly appreciate the level of flexibility Dana adds to our team. Dana’s attitude of tenderness and love is very evident as she works with our residents on her permanent night shifts. Serenity Lodge’s team and our residents have been gifted with Dana’s creative thoughtful efforts, from her now famous delicious baked goods to crafts that shine forth her creative talents! As Serenity Lodge’s HS supervisor, Dana’s orderliness helps the whole team know where they can count on finding things when needed.

Jaclyn Ordinelli

Jaclyn originally joined Serenity Lodge’s team in 2012, as a new graduate of Eastern College’s Continuing Care Assistant program. The birth of her beautiful twins, and a geographical move soon after, lead her in new directions. We were blessed to welcome Jaclyn and her three daughters back to living locally and her rejoining our team of Staff in 2018. Jaclyn’s training and work experience is adding her diligent approach to all she does for our team. Jaclyn is a responsible team player, whose initiative, flexibility and helpfulness are so appreciated.

Sherrianne Thompson

Sherrianne Thompson

Sherrianne joined Serenity Lodge’s team just after graduating from Success College’s Continuing Care Assistant program. This cheerful young lady has brought much joy to Serenity Lodge’s residents and team. She is a compassionate soul who genuinely looks for ways to be helpful. She excels in noticing what needs to get done and taking the initiative to do what she can, to be part of that need. Her flexibility and humour is noticed and appreciated by residents and the team!