McGregor talks life at Abor Village

For Mrs Ella McGregor, working with senior citizens is a passion to which nothing else can compare.

Mrs McGregor is the manager at Bedfordview’s Abor Village, a home for the aged.

She joined the home in November 2014 as a nursing manager and was appointed manager in June this year.

The NEWS caught up with Mrs McGregor to find out what makes her tick.

“I enjoy working for the senior citizens. This is their home and we are all just here to make sure they are comfortable and happy. I am here to do just that,” she said.

Mrs McGregor was born and raised in a farm in Upington and completed her studies in, among others, general nursing, midwifery, psychiatric health and admin in Bloemfontein.

She started her career at a Springs hospital.

Mrs McGregor said although she always enjoyed working with the elderly from when she was a youngster, nursing was her passion.

“I helped with the building of Netcare Linmed Hospital in Benoni. I was involved from the development to buying equipment and even deciding which curtains to buy for the hospital. I was a nursing manager for a long time and finally decided in 2014 that I wanted to slow down and change paths,” said Mrs McGregor.

She said she loves how the residents at the village take initiative and pride in the home.

“They are involved in the running of the home and come up with initiatives and suggestions to make the home better. This ranges from concerts to outings. We have two hair salons on the premises, both of which are always full because our ladies love to look good,” said Mrs McGregor.

She said no day is the same at the village.

“One day I come to work to find six residents waiting to speak to me at my office. Some other days I arrive to find an ambulance outside picking up a resident, or have to attend to a resident who collapsed in the hall. You can plan all you want, but days just unfold as they are meant to, and that is one of the reasons I love what I do,” she said.

Mrs McGregor said hers is a 24-hour job.

“When a resident dies, it is a sad moment for us all because the staff gets attached to them from when they first arrive. With the blessing of the concerned families, when we attend the funerals, we also go with the staff members closest to the diseased,” said Mrs McGregor.

She said when a resident is in their last moments, they are not left alone. “There will always be someone with them who will hold their hand and let them know how loved they are. Even after they have passed, we make sure they look good and have their dignity even in death,” said Mrs McGregor.

In the next five years, she said her mission is to make sure that residents continue to enjoy their time at Abor.

“To do that, I also need to ensure that staff is happy and make sure they also enjoy their time here,” said Mrs McGregor.