There’s no place like home- celebrating National Assisted Living Week

Meet Sandra Brown, Activity Coordinator at McGregor Assisted Living!

As a child, Sandra always wanted to be around the adults while the other children were playing games.  Even at a young age she enjoyed the company of her elders.

“If I can make a difference in just one person’s day, it’s all worth it!” 

Sandra worked as a nursing home activity coordinator for fifteen years in Louisiana.  She wanted to move somewhere to experience another place. She began looking at Ohio. Her husband told her to pick a location and he’d try to make it happen, even though he didn’t like the snow.  They saved their money and in October 2019 they moved to Cleveland.

Having made the move, she found herself at home and bored. She began looking for activity-related jobs on ‘Indeed’ that would be close to her home.  Lo’ and behold, McGregor popped up!  It was her husband who completed the online application much to her surprise and in November 2019, she began her role at McGregor!  Sandra puts her faith in the Lord and is a firm believer in Proverbs 3, 5, 6. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  She shared that “Lean not on your own understanding” means that God knows the way and we don’t. At times we can’t figure things out on our own and have no answers.  She reflects on this every morning.

The best part of her job?  Sandra shared that encouraging residents to come out of their apartment to an activity and getting them connected to others who reside in the Assisted Living Community.  She says she takes her responsibility seriously to make everyone feel at home and part of our McGregor family.

Sandra says, “I never considered myself funny, but my BFF calls me all the time to make her laugh.” “She says I have a way with words.”  She said her friends call her Mrs. Claus because she tries to do nice things for people year-round.  She likes thrift store shopping. She loves to dance –even when we have entertainment for the residents, she twirling!  “It’s good exercise,” she exclaimed.

She admits there is no place like home. She’s a real homebody at heart.  Sometimes enjoying the peace that living by herself brings allows her to collect her thoughts and enjoy some quiet time. She also likes going to church!

Sandra enjoys her children and grandchildren and loves spending time with them whenever possible. They live in Texas, Michigan, and Louisiana.  There are seven grandchildren…and one on the way!  “Life is good,” she said.

Sandra finished by saying, “I try to look for light…something positive in all things.”  That must be why she is always smiling!

Thank you for all you do, Sandra!