Meet Katherine Harris, Hygiene, Sanitation and Laundry team leader at the Centre d’hébergement Denis-Benjamin-Viger. She knows how to rally her team to provide seniors with a healthy living environment.
Ms. Harris, tell us about your start at the Centre d’hébergement Denis-Benjamin-Viger.
“In 2007 I was a young mother and I was looking for a job with a flexible schedule so that I could balance my work and home life. So I was very happy to get a job in housekeeping at the Centre d’hébergement Denis-Benjamin-Viger, which is located close to my home.
There, I quickly discovered that the place is like one big family, which is a feeling that I value a great deal. At the time, I was responsible for a Girl Guide troop, so I would invite the girls to sing for the residents during the Holidays.”
And how did you end up in Hygiene and Sanitation sector?
“After several years as a housekeeping attendant, I was given the role as interim team leader in 2013, before I was appointed to my current role in 2018.
I am always looking for ways to improving our services by taking the lead. I encourage my team members to build a relationship of trust with our residents. Sometimes a word or gesture and a bit of humour is all it takes to bring a little joy into their lives. Cleanliness, both in common and private areas, tends to give us all little microdoses of happiness.”
What are your primary responsibilities?
“Each day, I supervise my team and find solutions to the problems that come up along the way. The work in our sector is constantly evolving. Best practices keep improving, especially since the recent pandemic. So I make sure that my team members get the right training, and that they are aware of the services the CIUSSS makes available to them.”
What did you enjoy most about your work?
“Each day is different, with its own set of challenges, and that stimulates me. I appreciate the opportunity I have to learn about the life stories of our residents. I am very interested in them. And I am very proud of the eight people who are on my team.
And the upcoming move to the new Maison des aînés Denis-Benjamin-Viger is something I am very happy about. A new building, a new approach to care, and improved safety for our residents are all things to look forward to.”
What are the main challenges you face?
“Our residential facility is located in a rather outdated building, and that is certainly a challenge. Just think … we only have two elevators for the entire facility, which is home to 125 residents spread over four floors.
And some of our residents are dealing with dementia. Sometimes, they won’t let people enter their rooms. So you need to have a positive attitude and get to know their life stories, because those stories can help to understand the behaviours. In that sense, the beneficiary attendants are invaluable allies who help us to get our work done.”
I believe you’re an avid recycler.
“Absolutely! I try to reduce our carbon footprint by recycling plastic and cans, for example. Amongst other things I collect adult diaper boxes. Some people have even nicknamed me ‘the box lady.” Each week on the Facebook page Les trésors d’un autre I provide two or three families with moving boxes.
Over the past few years I have also been managing a little thrift shop at the facility. Seniors on tight budgets can come and get adaptive clothing free of charge. When we receive garments that aren’t adaptive, we have a volunteer who makes the needed adjustments.”
Ms. Harris also agreed to tell us a little bit about her personal life.
Can you tell us a little about you and your family?
“I was born in Pierrefonds and I have lived there practically all of my life. My husband Steven and I started dating when we were in high school. We’ve been together for 26 years now, and we’re the happy parents of two daughters, Kayla (20) and Isabelle (17). The eldest is a student who also works part-time at the Centre d’hébergement Denis-Benjamin-Viger as part of my team.”
What are your favourite pastimes?
“I love to travel. We’ve travelled to a number of Caribbean countries, but my favourite spot is Greece. Our family has a Doberman named Odin, and he needs to burn a lot of energy. My husband and I both enjoy taking long ways, sometimes up to 10 km!And I love being in nature, so time spent kayaking at our cottage is a real joy.”
Do you have a hidden talent?
“I don’t know if this is a hidden talent, but I like to cook food from many different cultures, such as Indian food. I love making culinary discoveries. My family and friends are often my testers!”
« Je suis fière d’agir comme paire aidante au sein de notre installation. Bien humblement, j’estime faire preuve d’une écoute attentive et posséder quelques aptitudes en relations humaines », affirme notre sujet-vedette du mois. Sur la photo, on aperçoit, à gauche, Catherine Harris en compagnie de membres de son équipe de préposés à l’entretien ménager et à la buanderie : Rokia Keita, Fernando Castro, Kayla Chiasson et Ada Carvery. Équipiers absents sur la photo : Bjorn Radtke, Jennefer Hernandez, Sébastien Roy et Dylan Dryden.
« Les personnes âgées m’inspirent énormément. Nous pouvons tellement enrichir nos connaissances en les côtoyant. C’est en les écoutant que l’on apprend! », affirme madame Harris.