Keeping house and bringing out smiles

Stacie Beach began with the SKLD team in Heartland of West Bloomfield in 2014. She now works at SKLD Whitehall as a housekeeper where she does her best to bring smiles and happiness wherever she goes. 

Stacie started out in the kitchen, but three years later transferred into housekeeping. She says, “I wanted to interact with the residents more. When I came into housekeeping, it was so much more my style because I am able to interact with residents, get to chat with them and make them smile every day.”

Maintaining a positive space

As a housekeeper, Stacie is responsible for helping to maintain the positive atmosphere of SKLD Whitehall. She says, “It’s not just a job, coming into work and punching a clock. When I walk through those doors, I am walking into the residents’ homes.”

To try to make their homes as comfortable as possible, Stacie says, “I keep the rooms clean and do as much as I can to help the aides and nurses--whether it’s picking up trays to take to the kitchen or helping to answer calls.” 

Stacie works throughout the building and says, “The residents love when I come to their hallway. It makes my day to see them smile when I come around the corner and they are constantly asking me when I’ll be back to their hallway.” 

Bringing out smiles among skilled nursing residents

Stacie contributes greatly to the SKLD staff. Stacie says, “I’m a real team player. If there’s anything I can do to help, I do it, and I take pride in my work. I try my hardest to go above and beyond. My work is complete when I can help someone that needs a little extra.” 

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Stacie says, “I love working with my co-workers. I really believe that teamwork makes the dream work. And treat the residents how I’d want to be treated.” 

The pandemic has brought challenges to both staff and residents, but Stacie tries to keep a positive outlook. She says, “As much as possible I try to be one-on-one with the residents and have a chit-chat. They appreciate having someone listen to their concerns, especially if they are having a bad day. I love to put a smile on their faces.”

Stacie recalls a time when she made an impact on a resident. She says, “There is a resident who is often grumpy. One day, he called me into his room and when I went in he wanted to play a song for me. He played the song, ‘ Happy People’ by Little Big Town and wanted me to hear it because he said that when he sees me working and cleaning, he sees my smile and knows I’m happy and that makes him feel happy. This brought tears to my eyes instantly. It’s amazing that even though the residents can’t see our smiles through our masks, they know we are smiling from our eyes.” 

Stacie says she has learned many lessons from her work. “Show them compassion. Think if you were in their shoes and couldn’t see or talk to your family every day. You can be the sunshine they need that day,” says Stacie.