Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
JUNE 2021
Ben Resch finds reward, satisfaction in work For the past 14 years, Ben Resch, LPN, has built a career from caring for the residents of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
Art is Ageless winning project way to pass time in quarantine
But none of those years have been like the past year. “I’ve been so impressed with how Presbyterian Manor and Christie (executive director) have handled the COVID crisis,” Ben said. “I’ve felt safer at work than at home or out shopping. That’s a sign of how well PMMA is run in general, and our community in particular. We’ve all pulled together to protect residents.”
COVID Masks was a way for Mary Burchill to pass the time while everything was shut down. The small quilt features notes about significant happenings during the pandemic.
Ben Resch
That commitment to residents’ well-being is central to Resch’s work and part of why he’s remained connected to the Presbyterian Manor family through all these years. “What’s important to me is interacting with the residents, and making them feel at home and connecting with them,” Ben said. “I enjoy hearing their stories and learning from their life experiences.” Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, he worked along with everyone on staff to do all they could to create a comfortable and safe environment in the face of challenges such as restrictions on visitors and changes to normal activities. Now, as those restrictions begin to lift, Ben said it has been joyful to see even a small return to normalcy. “As part of managing the crisis, a huge part of that has been making sure we do everything we can to keep residents as emotionally healthy as possible,” Ben said. “It’s been wonderful seeing families back together. It’s kind of like a reunion. It’s very satisfying when the relatives can finally come see their aunt or uncle. It’s a great thing.” That “reunion” is especially gratifying because over the years Ben feels he’s become part of residents’ families. “Almost all of them feel like family to me,” Ben said. “A side benefit is that I get to know their families. Some things come up where I need to communicate with a resident’s closest relative who is in charge of their care. RESCH – continued on page 3
What began as a small project at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic received special recognition during the recent Art is Ageless competition. “The name of the entry is ‘COVID Masks,’” explained Mary Burchill. “I made it back when the pandemic first started and everything started to close. I had no idea what prompted me to do it. I had begun making masks for a few people and family members. It’s been a year and a half that it’s been sitting here, so I thought I’d enter it in the contest.” “COVID Masks” is composed of 45 mask-like pieces, on which Mary recorded pandemic notes, such as “stay home,” “library closed,” “curbside delivery,” and of course “masking masks.” “It just came together,” Mary said. “I didn’t have any big thought behind it.” MASKS – continued on page 2
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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