Annette Gunnerson’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of seniors every day, and her success in that regard has now been recognized at a statewide level.
Gunnerson recently received the Activity Professional Award of Excellence from the Minnesota Statewide Activity Professionals organization, setting her apart among more than 800 members statewide.
Following that honor, she was recognized by Annandale Health and Community Services staff and residents during a ceremony at Centennial Villa on Tuesday, Oct. 18, and residents left no doubt about how they feel about Gunnerson.
"We are so lucky to have you, Annette," one of them called out as the group applauded her for her award. "We love you to pieces."
Gunnerson serves as the director of activities for assisted living, independent seniors and the memory care units at the Annandale facility.
"If I can make your lives a little brighter, then I’ve done my job," she told residents during the gathering last week.
Debbie Flygare, director of senior housing for Annandale Health and Community Services, said that Gunnerson has turned the activities program around in her four years on the job, increasing participation in activities by over 150 percent.
"I struggle to find the words to convey Annette’s passion and excellence for her profession," Flygare wrote in a letter that supported Gunnerson’s nomination for the award. "Annette has truly revitalized our activities programming for our seniors."
When she started, Gunnerson said there were some seniors at the facility who rarely left their rooms. She took the initiative to seek them out and get them involved.
"That’s what I want, to make sure that they don’t feel alone and they are included," she said.
History of care
Gunnerson said she has always enjoyed spending time with seniors. When she was a little girl she often spent time baking with seniors who lived down the street. She originally began working at the Annandale Care Center as a housekeeper nearly two decades ago.
"I just knew she could offer more and make a contribution to the seniors, especially those with memory problems or dementia," said Linda Schmitz of Annandale Health and Community Services in her nomination letter. "I saw she had amazing qualities and hired her as an activity assistant."
Gunnerson worked as the activity assistant for about 6.5 years in Annandale, completed coursework to become an activity director, and moved on to director roles in Sartell, Rogers and at New Beginnings.
"I cried when she left," said Schmitz with a laugh.
During that time Gunnerson continued to further her education, receiving training through Alzheimer’s Association and other sources. Schmitz said she knew that there was a need for additional activities for Alzheimer’s and memory care patients in Annandale, and eventually asked Gunnerson if she would be willing to return to where it all began.
Gunnerson agreed, and has been positively influencing lives ever since.
"That’s my love, working with the people in memory care and finding a way into those minds," Gunnerson said.
An example of how she accomplishes that is a regular activity called Travel Minnesota. She’ll get a group together, talk about a destination and routes they can take to get there, and then shows historic photographs of the destination and places along the way from the time period when the seniors were more active and independent.
"They can engage with that. It helps them to recall special memories," Gunnerson said. "We might travel to Grand Marais eight times in a year, but that’s OK because it pulls out different stories each time, things that people remember."
Other activities she has spearheaded include instituting a casino night that includes the local Lions, bringing in the high school jazz band to perform, or bringing students over from the elementary school to read.
There have been grilling parties, a visit from the local brewery to provide samples and discuss beer-making, and more. There are different events and activities every day. One particularly memorable feature was a murder-mystery dinner party during which staff, family members and residents played the roles.
"She has taken the programs in (assisted living and memory care) to a whole new level," said Schmitz. "The tenant surveys are proof of that. What used to be poor to fair ratings have jumped to good and excellent ratings. She’s listened and adapted the programs to their wishes."
An honor
Because Gunnerson serves on the Statewide Activity Professionals board, she knew she had been nominated for the award, but she did not expect to win.
"It was a really neat surprise," she said. "It’s an honor to have won it, but (the seniors) are the ones that make a difference in my life. They’re the ones who matter."