Teresa Kocher, LSW – Director of Resident Services, Care Suites of Edina, Walker Methodist

Here’s to all Social Workers during Social Worker month!

Teresa had a picture in her mind of what her career would look like. It was with kids, and that was fine throughout school and training. Then she landed her first job in the Adult Day program at Open Circle in Hopkins.

Teresa quickly got swept up in the good spirit and joy of her new seniors. “I love the relationships with the residents and their families. I’m always learning something new.” She paused a bit and said, “You know how people in senior care commonly have that connection to a special senior in their lives?” Well, it was her grandma that was her special senior growing up that was coming back to life in her mind. “Oh, man could she run circles around us. She was very fit and though she had a good car, she seldom drove.  She preferred walking. And fast.” “We’d say ‘slow down Grandma’. She’d just say ‘Keep up!’”

After Open Circle Teresa spent time at Walker Methodist Minneapolis Long Term Care. Not long after that she made her move to Walker Methodist in Edina. The concept of care suites wasn’t a thing up until that time. As the saying goes ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and there was an under-met need to provide higher levels of care without having to move to a skilled care setting. Their building had a group of apartments centered around a staffing station that they renovated into a yet uncategorized set of ‘care suites’. And the rest as they say…

Social workers do it all!

Like a swiss army knife on a camping trip, if you can only have one person to call when trying to help an individual or groups of people call a social worker.

It is very apparent in Teresa’s voice that she loves helping move things forward. It may be a program or service being offered, a family member’s understanding of a situation, a staff member’s learning a new approach to something, or just brightening a senior’s day.

After asking Teresa to describe her duties I soon realized the visual of her answer was far more the form of a lush family tree than a corporate ‘org’ chart. Communication was the biggest theme. Tasks included: clarifying communication b/w others, teaching, making appointments, arranging transportation, monitoring legislative developments, launching new initiatives, etc.

When the Struthers Parkinson’s Care Network wanted to extend their programming into the senior living arena Teresa was right there helping launch a new partnership for the benefit of all involved. Teresa is clearly proud of what she has been able to be a part of with Walker Methodist. She commented on what a testament it is when family members stay on as volunteers after their loved one has passed.

The positive spirit Teresa brings to her work I would have to describe as that of an Anti Age-ist. She sees the entire value and ability of those she serves.