Teresian House welcomes help from Pacific isle

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One of the necessary qualifications for working with the elderly is love. The employees at Teresian House, a nursing home run by the Carmelite Sisters in Albany, share this gift with their residents, one another -- and now some workers from Micronesia.

Resurrection Nursing Home in Castleton started this trans-Pacific partnership through a company that brought people from Third World countries to work in healthcare facilities.

Through the same program, Teresian House recently welcomed eight people from Chuuk, one of the four islands that make up Micronesia.

Shortage filled

"The whole Northeast is having difficulty employing nurses' aides," said Carol Mitchell, secretary of the Human Resources Department at Teresian House. "Supply does not meet demand."

"It's hard to convince people that being a nurse's aide is a meaningful profession," said Sister Pauline Brecanier, O. Carm., administrator of Teresian House. "There is just not enough people to work."

Filling that gap are the Micronesians, who will work as certified nurses' aides for two years.

Partnership

Teresian House was "responsible for finding them an adequate place to stay, furnishing their apartments and giving them the basics," said Mrs. Mitchell.

While their profiles said the Micronesians spoke English, "it was not a very strong secondary language," said Mrs. Mitchell. "We encourage them to speak English amongst themselves because that's the only way they can learn."

Teresian House employees, "out of the goodness of their hearts, took it as their own responsibility to make these people feel comfortable," she continued. "We got donations of anything from sheets to pillows to towels to pots and pans -- everything that one would need when living in an apartment."

Assistance

In addition to donating household items, several employees donated their time.

"Some of the employees that live in the area of their apartments have kind of adopted the Micronesians," said Sister Pauline.

Coming from a small country where people either walked or rode in taxis, the Micronesians had to learn how to use the bus line.

"The staff would take them home from work and bring them back," said Sister Pauline.

Linking

The Micronesians were assigned a volunteer employee who introduced them to American culture.

"I took them clothes shopping and bought them some clothes myself," said Stephanie Ballas, supervisor of the dietary department. "They really did not have anything."

She helps two Micronesians that live within a mile from her apartment. "We became friends," she said. "They spent my son's birthday with us."

In addition, employees did not neglect to provide them with spiritual aid. Teresian House gathered Bibles, crosses and other religious items for the Micronesians.

Why they came

Jenna Diamond and Dolores Albert, two of the Micronesians, came to America to experience a different culture. They hope that they will be able to attend a college someday for certification in nursing.

The two agree that it was hard to leave their families and to adjust to English and the climate. This summer in Albany, with temperatures cooler than normal, is unusual for the Micronesians, who come from a country where "it's summer all year," said Miss Diamond.

Problems

While Teresian House is aiming for the program to be a success, problems have cropped up elsewhere. At Resurrection Nursing Home, four people from Micronesia "all disappeared one day," said Administrator Patrick Cucinelli.

Last May, Eden Park nursing home in East Greenbush also welcomed four people from Chuuk. Only one remains. "It was not really a success," said Administrator Don Dalger. "Two had to go back home because of ill health with relatives, and another had an attendance problem and was released."

Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland had better success. They continue to work with nine of ten people that came from Guam last May (one had to return due to family issues). Seven are certified CNAs; the other two have passed the clinical exam but have yet to pass the written exam due to problems in the language.

"The group who came are a very caring and compassionate group of individuals," said Janet Haebler, education specialist at Our Lady of Mercy. "We don't always see that come through our doors!"

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