When you ask Angelina Prah what she loves most about working at Suncrest retirement community here in South Surrey, her answer is instant, and heartfelt.
“It’s the people. It’s like a family, and in fact, now my daughter is working there too!” says Angelina, whose daughter Jennifer is currently a visitor co-ordinator since welcoming a new baby; down the road, she hopes to put her training as a rehab assistant to work for the residents.
Of course, as Housekeeping Manager, it doesn’t hurt that Angelina also thoroughly enjoys cleaning, and creating spaces Suncrest’s residents love to call ‘home.’ But it really is the connections Angelina’s built that fuel her passion for her work – including seven years at Suncrest and 23 years before that at its sister-residence, Belvedere in Coquitlam.
Both are locally owned by a family right here in the Lower Mainland – key to the family-first approach that both residents and team members enjoy.
“The Suncrest owners really care,” says Angelina, who started as a cook before moving into housekeeping and now manages the department. “They have compassion for seniors and when you walk in to that environment, you know they love what they do. And together, we make sure the residents are happy.
“I just want to help,” adds Angelina. “It’s a calling and I feel so connected to the residents and the staff.”
Both Angelina and co-worker Courtney Brooks have been at Suncrest since its 2017 opening. Today, Suncrest offers both the thoughtfully designed Independent / Assisted Living building and the adjacent Care Centre.
Courtney, Receptionist and Visitor Coordinator, was keen to work with seniors after transitioning from a lengthy career at Shaughnessy Hospital. “I’ve been around older people all my life and with our aging population, I wanted to learn more and work in senior care,” she says. “We have to be there for our older adults – we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them.”
At Suncrest, she appreciates the opportunity to build lasting connections with both residents and their families.
“I just love hearing our residents’ life stories. From war stories to stories about their families, I learn so much,” Courtney reflects.
While she enjoys the diversity in her work and that every day is different, the real draw comes back to the relationships.
“To me, they’re family, plain and simple.”
Find Suncrest at 2567 King George Blvd. in South Surrey or visit online at belvederebc.com/suncrest-community, call 604-542-6200 ext.112, or find them on Facebook.
READ MORE: Local roots: Community is at the heart of South Surrey retirement residence