by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Morgan Waytashek said her heart has found a home in her new position as housing manager of Arlington Place Assisted Living in St. Joseph.
She said after working in various areas of health care, she believes her passion lies in working with the elderly population and assisted-living facilities.
“Through community involvement and a team approach, I am committed to leading Arlington Place toward maximum quality of life for our residents,” Waytashek said. “I thank all involved community members and staff for being part of that team approach.”
Arlington Place in St. Joseph is owned by Partners in Senior Living Options, based out of Royalton.
Waytashek worked as a home-health aide in two of the Partners Senior Living Options assisted-living facilities before graduating from Pierz Healy High School and during college.
When she graduated from high school, she received a scholarship from Partners Senior Living Options to pursue her passion of caring for the older adult population as an occupational therapy assistant practitioner.
During her occupational-therapy studies, she held a direct-support professional position in two group home settings (at Mains’L Services, a company not owned by Partners in Senior Living) where she gained experience in mental health, house scheduling and just simply how to help others feel comfortable in their own home.
Waytashek completed many of her college classes during high school and finished them at Winona State University. She completed her occupational-therapy assistant degree at Anoka Technical College.
After becoming a licensed occupational therapy practitioner, Waytashek traveled the United States for about a year working in multiple health-care settings, such as skilled nursing, transitional care, sub-acute care and home care. Places she worked include Hull, Iowa; Billings, Mont.; Fountain, Colo.; and Eugene, Ore.
She said although traveling the United States for work was an educational experience, her heart was set on an assisted-living environment because of the humor, maintained dignity and integrity between the staff and residents.
Waytashek said she missed being part of a team that uses humor and integrity toward its customers.
She said Partners Senior Living Options, which owns 10 assisted-living facilities in Minnesota, holds those qualities (humor, integrity) as its mission in its buildings and she wanted to be a part of that.
What Waytashek enjoys most about her position is getting to know each resident and each resident’s background. She said there is never a dull moment listening to their stories and words of wisdom.
Even though she is new to her position, she has already learned a great deal about the residents and staff at Arlington Place, which is licensed to provide care for 24 residents, and currently has 18 residents. The facility offers one-level assisted-living options.
For more information about Arlington Place Assisted Living, call 320-363-1313 or visit the website at arlingtonplacemn.com.
Morgan Waytashek, (right) who recently became the new housing manager at Arlington Place Assisted Living in St. Joseph, visits with residents (left to right) Dorene Rennie, Clara Stueve and Jim Gronli.
