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Trillium Villa PSW finds a 'family' among residents
Aleena Joy says her bond with residents highlights the compassion and connection that make her job special
11/24/2025
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Deron Hamel
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Trillium Villa PSW Aleena Joy says the residents she works with are like family.
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Aleena Joy, a personal support worker (PSW) at Trillium Villa Nursing Home, says she's had many meaningful experiences during her 18 months working at the Sarnia long-term care community, but the one that stands out most is her connection with a resident named Ray.
Ray is a quiet gentleman, but he will always say, “hey, what's up” when he sees Aleena, the PSW tells S&R Today.
Aleena used to assist Ray at mealtimes, and this is how the two made a connection.
As a new Canadian, Aleena says she hasn't been home in 2 1/2 years, so the residents at Trillium Villa have largely become her Canadian family, she says.
But Ray stands out, she adds.
“Ray is special because he smiles all the time, he has a special spot where he sits near the front,” Aleena says. “I will always ask him, 'Ray, are you my best friend?' and he nods a lot saying, 'yes.' ”
Every night before she goes home, Aleena visits the residents, many of whom give her hugs before she leaves. When she finishes work early, she spends time doing one-to-one visits with residents.
Another benefit to working at Trillium Villa, Aleena says, is the supportive management team the home has. Whenever team members need help, management is there, she says.
“They are really supportive,” Aleena says. “Every single manager here has helped me in a different way, whether it's to help me be a better PSW or to figure out something in my personal life, I am lucky to have had their help.”
Asked what advice she has for people considering a career as a PSW, Aleena says they should not see the work “as just a job,” but rather as a place to build meaningful relationships with others.
Compassion and empathy, she says, are the top attributes people can bring to the table.
“Understand what your residents are going through; think about how they are feeling,” Aleena says. “When you understand where they are coming from, you start to feel like they are family, and it's always nice that when you come into work you are greeted by residents saying hi or hugging you and saying I missed you.”
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