In Whitehorse, Yukon, there is a continuing care home called Whistle Bend Place which opened in 2018. Different sections of the new building are called “houses.” Ardes manages patient care in what’s called Klukshu House. Every work day she tours the “house” and checks in on every part of care. This is part of her work as a resident care manager with the Government of Yukon's Department of Health and Social Services.
“I have been in continuing care for more than 26 years now. I have few non-front line roles intermittently all throughout the years, which really help me in my current role as well,” she says. Let's meet Ardes at work in Whitehorse and learn about her role.
What makes a good day at work?
A good day means that staff are supported and in a good state to provide and respond to residents’ needs. We want staff to feel inspired and motivated in providing person-centered care, and feel appreciated and valued. When challenges and difficult situations are handled well by the team, there’s always that sense of pride and accomplishment. When we make a difference, it’s a way to get motivated.
How did fellow staff help you feel supported as you began?
What I liked the most when I started, was that there was always staff to welcome you: To mentor, coach and reassure you that it will get better.
Continuing care in the Yukon is rich when it comes to diversity — not only in ethnicity but ways of life, thinking, choices and culture. You won’t feel alone or singled out. We are so diverse and inclusive. We also have great resources that help in new people in adjusting to the Yukon. Yukon has so much to offer, especially if you love the outdoors and it’s easy to connect and build some social life.
What advice might you have for someone considering a career in the Yukon?
Continuing care offers so much. If you want to have a workplace where you can apply your newly gained skills, it’s a very friendly and good place for that.
The support here is plentiful, and we have seen a lot of people who started their careers with us and now have progressed and evolved as professionals. If you want challenges and complex care, continuing care has also some lined up for you and is willing to support skills development. Our pay and benefits support us to have work-life balance.
Plus, the Yukon has varied activities from the arts community to outdoor and adrenaline-pumping activities. Given that we now have access to online shopping and digital entertainment, the absence of big malls is not a problem as it used to be! Though the transition required a bit of effort plus trial and error, I can proudly call the Yukon my home now.
