With 17 senior care facilities closing in 2023 in South Dakota, finding a quality elderly care facility can be challenging. The Lake Andes Senior Living facility is changing an aspect of how they care for their residents and that is through their daily activities and adventures. Since March of 2023, the Lake Andes Senior Living facility has had a new Activities Director, Debbie White. In her short 5 months there, Debbie has brought about new and creative activities to be enjoyed and experienced by the residents.

The Lake Andes Senior Living facility currently has 40 residents with room for up to 43. All residents have an opportunity to be a part of the resident council. Debbie is the head of this council. It is an opportunity for residents to have an open table talk about their likes and dislikes, bring up ideas, and let Debbie know what would make their experience better. That is a lot of different needs and interests to take into consideration when planning activities. Debbie must always be ready to come up with creative ideas on the spot as needed depending on individual residents and group needs for the situation and or the day. She tries to boost the residents’ morale by planning numerous activities throughout the day that will appeal to different needs. Joking with and spending time with residents when she can see they need extra attention or just to talk also helps.

Debbie would really like to see more involvement from the community. The facility is always looking for volunteers to help with arts and crafts, BINGO or just talking with residents. She is working with the Andes Central school to collaborate on events. September 6th was National Read A Book Day where they had JAG students come into the facility and read with the residents. Upcoming activities and events include scenic ride-alongs, grandparents day coloring contests, watching local (Andes Central, Marty and Wagner) sporting events on YouTube, resident picture day, men’s/women’s club, and a birthday newsletter.

Another aspect of Debbie’s position is that she has care conferences (quarterly or annually) with the residents’ families or power of attorneys. These conferences include discussing concerns about medications, weight, activities, etc. That is why Debbie tracks everything she does every day. She tracks who she talks to, concerns of residents, participation, etc. so that she can give her best to her residents and their families.

Debbie is currently starting her training as a certified nursing assistant (cna) so that she will be able to plan even more activities with the residents. She became interested in this type of work because she had worked with preschool previously and it reminded her of that. Debbie finds her work very rewarding and enjoys being able to hear the life stories of her residents. When not working, Debbie enjoys kayaking, stress-relief coloring, reading, spending time with family and playing with their family dogs. Debbie is married to Marty White, and they have two sons, Lucas and Martel. The family has two dogs, Beau and Cleo.

Congratulations on your new position and thank you for creating an enjoyable atmosphere and experience for your residents.