Cheryl has worked at Forest Hills of DC for two years in the housekeeping department. She believes that making meaningful resident connections is the best part of her work because you, “get to fall in love with them.” Each day she gets to know each resident a little better and have meaningful conversations with them. She previously worked at Ascension Living Carroll Manor for 22 years. Before working in healthcare, she worked at hotels. “I love doing housekeeping. I really do,” she says.
Monica works with Cheryl and has been the director of environmental services and laundry at Forest Hills for two-and-a-half years. She has been working in the environmental services field for 24 years and in senior living for eight years. For her, the best part of working at Forest Hills is also the residents. She has a passion for serving older adults because she has always been close to her grandparents. “One thing that is so precious about working with older adults is that you realize what is really important in life,” she says. “It doesn’t matter how famous or rich you are, it’s the way you make people feel, that is your legacy and what is important.”
Future RN
Lea is Monica’s daughter. She is 17 years old and has worked at Forest Hills for one year. She loves working with the residents and doing activities with them. After she graduates from high school, she plans to take a certified nursing assistant course at Forest Hills. She plans to eventually become a registered nurse. Her favorite subject in school is art. “I love doing what I do,” she says. “I love the residents, and I love my boss. I love being around old people.”
To read all the resident and staff stories captured as part of our AARP funded public art initiative, “See Me, Hear Me: The Art of Living,” funded by AARP and in partnership with Marvin Bowser Photography, Art Against Ageism and Tenleytown Main Street, visit our digital exhibit here.
Cheryl
Monica
Lea
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