The Scoop: Dedication to Service
June 21, 2023 | Assisted Living, Kline Galland Staff, Mary Schwartz Summit
People usually recognize her curly hair and distinctive clothes, but they know Naomi Goldick because of her passion for helping people. So naturally she is excited to discuss the expanded care at the Mary Schwartz Summit.
Naomi was recently named Director of Social Work at the Mary Schwartz Summit. Covid left the position deflated and in need of reenergizing, a gap felt by the residents, families, and staff. Naomi was a natural choice after her years as Director of Community Relations (and eventually Marketing) for the organization.
When Naomi moved to the Seattle area about 25 years ago, she settled on Vashon Island. She liked the island and enjoyed working with the senior population at the Vashon Community Care Center. Her master’s in social work and previous experience at a 200-bed Jewish home on the East Coast supported her work and personal mission of caring. She wasn’t interested in a daily shuttle that included ferry lines and delayed sailings. But a friend heard of a need at The Summit and encouraged her to meet with Leta Medina, former Administrator and Director of Marketing (who retired in 2021). Naomi visited The Summit and was so impressed with the Kline Galland community that she decided to try to make a ferry commute work. That was over seven years ago.
Today, Naomi’s days are filled with helping people with the transitions of life: moving into The Summit or into a different program; navigating family dynamics as adult children grow into caring for parents; coping with grief due to changes, whether expected or not. She also works on ways to build team development and improve the overall quality of life for all members in the Summit community. Which leads directly to the new service The Summit is offering.
Naomi is enthusiastic, saying, “I love how Kline Galland and The Summit modifies its programs to meet the needs of the clientele. The residents really do drive the bus here.” In addition to independent living, assisted living, and memory support, the Mary Schwartz Summit location will now offer “assisted living plus (AL+).”
“We realized,“ she explains, “that many times residents will need more than the typical services provided in assisted living.” For example, a higher level of care where two caregivers will need to assist an individual with movement and transfers. “We wanted them to stay in this community, their home, where they enjoy a high quality of life and can be as independent as possible” instead of moving into a nursing home.
The second floor of The Summit, which already has the memory support program, now has residences for those clients who require a little bit more help. AL+ is so new that it hasn’t even been marketed yet, although there are some existing residents already taking advantage of the expanded care. Alongside this growth, the entire community is getting refreshed with new carpeting, painting, and furniture. “It’s about community with a safety net of services,” Naomi explains.
While the “exclusive” story here may be the new AL+ service line, the real “scoop” is the dedication to service that Kline Galland – and most importantly, its employees like Naomi Goldick – embody daily.
