American jazz musician Lionel Leo Hampton mused, “Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” The word gratitude derives from the Latin gratia, meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these phrases. It is an appreciation for what we receive, acknowledging the goodness in our lives. In this process, people usually recognize that the source of gratitude lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves – to other people, nature, or a higher power.
In psychology, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It helps humans feel enhanced positive emotions, improve their health, and build strong relationships. People express gratitude in multiple ways; they can apply it to the past, present, and future. At Seasons Retirement Communities, team members who cultivate gratitude feel connected to their Seasons Community and genuinely cared about by their management and coworkers, allowing them to affect positive change in the lives of their residents.
Seasons service team leaders often receive positive cards, letters, and messages from residents and families acknowledging their gratitude to our teams. We call these gifts our ‘Love Notes.’
Below is a selection of some of the most meaningful sentiments in recent Love Notes from families and residents:
“I want to thank you for caring for my dear Mother during her time in Memory Care. Whether you spent a lot of time interacting with her or only a short time, please know that you made a difference in the last four years of her life. She expressed to me many times how she felt content and cared for. I also felt confident in the care she was receiving, and I was grateful to be able to spend time with her, just being her daughter again.” -Seasons Family Member.
“We would like to send you all a very heartfelt thank you for the wonderful care and attention you extended to our Dad while he was a resident at Seasons. As his care needs were changing, your staff adapted their services willingly. We are so grateful he was able to stay throughout the pandemic. Your dedication, help, and kindness to our father and family did not go unnoticed.” -Seasons Family Members.
“I am very grateful for all of your hard work. We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful care you have given Mum over the past three years. She was very happy living at Seasons; it was comforting to know how well she was being looked after, especially during the pandemic. You always made us so welcome. Thank you again to a really great team for your kindness and hard work.” -Seasons Family Member
“I wanted to message you all to share our gratitude for our Mother’s progress since moving to Seasons! We weren’t sure how it would go after our father’s passing. Mom called me today with an upbeat tone in her voice – she was so proud of herself to say that she has joined the exercise class. She is eating more and feels her clothes are fitting better. She is less wobbly when walking. And her overall attitude is much better than it had been in her home. We are all pleasantly surprised. It is such a good feeling after a rough few months. Thank you for all you do!” -Seasons Family Members
“I have a history with Seasons. About 12 years ago, I rented a respite room for 5 1/2 weeks. The friendly Concierge at the front desk set the welcoming atmosphere. I always remembered that first impression. It was a great feeling. The kitchen staff were attentive and efficient. I enjoyed every meal and never missed breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Seeing how the staff interacted with the residents was especially heart-warming. I’m talking about ALL of the staff with ALL of the residents! I witnessed sincerity, patience, and compassion non-stop. How special it was to see seniors treated with such respect. I am one of them now because I have lived here at Seasons as an independent resident for two years. I knew I’d be happy moving in, but I didn’t know I’d be entertained too! The choices are endless, from movies to wine-tasting outings, fun bus trips to socials of every flavour, chocolate milkshakes, and even High Teas! The live entertainment is energizing and an excuse to dress up and dance. What I know for sure is that I really, REALLY appreciate our energetic ‘Fun Manager’ and her enthusiastic team for keeping us, the residents, happy, amused, and out of trouble! I also know that I’m living my best senior years! Thank you, Seasons!” -Seasons Resident
If you know someone you think would be a great fit for Seasons and is looking to make a difference in the lives of others, you can encourage them to apply today by visiting our website and viewing all available job positions. Simply put, it feels great to make an impact in the life of a senior.