Ellen will tell you that her life has been a winding road, filled with many great adventures along the way. Her path has included teaching English as a second language in Japan, Spain, Taiwan, and Chile and working as a licensed massage therapist in New Mexico and Hawaii. Most recently, she moved back to Wisconsin to care for her mother, who has Alzheimer’s and now lives at The Cottages, Cedar Community’s memory care.
Upon her return to Wisconsin, Ellen found a rewarding opportunity at Cedar Community. Unlike her previous employment where income could be unpredictable, her current position offers a consistent paycheck and full-time hours and benefits. “I do appreciate the hourly wage, and I don’t lose anything if people cancel or don’t show up,” says Ellen. Another perk is paid time off. “In my previous life, I not only had to save for a vacation, but I had to save for the time off work so I could pay my bills.”
Ellen’s role at Cedar Community is very rewarding and fulfilling. She serves residents in all levels of care, and her services are also available to team members seeking much-needed self-care. The role provides a good work-life balance, plus Ellen gets to be close to her mom. “I love that I can soothe people’s aches and pains and be a part of their wellness journey.”
Despite receiving offers from other spas, Ellen values the support she receives from her team at Cedar Community, where she feels like her own boss. She appreciates the flexibility to create her client schedule, set her hours, and be paid for the time she is on campus. Ellen finds joy in her interactions with residents and team members. “Everyone is like a friend, and it just feels like a warm and fuzzy place.” The sense of camaraderie and community makes her role fulfilling and reinforces her belief that she is right where she is meant to be.
