Newly Created Wellness Navigator Role at Foulk Living

November 17, 2022 | News | Reading Time 3:00 Minutes

This newly created role was designed to enhance communication, encourage engagement, monitor well-being, and maximize resident and family satisfaction.

Mentor, caregiver, special friend and advocate; she’s very much like the official fairy godmother of Foulk Living, using her magical powers to make people smile.

Rose Arkhurst-Mensah is the Wellness Navigator at the Wilmington-based senior living community. This newly created role was designed to enhance communication, encourage engagement, monitor well-being, and maximize resident and family satisfaction. Rose is perfectly suited for the job.

Rose moved to the U.S. from Ghana in 1998 and worked as a CNA for a healthcare system. With the encouragement of some coworkers who witnessed her skills, she decided to study to become an LPN. Rose then worked in memory care for eight years.

“I love working with seniors. They’re loving and fun to be around. They often make you feel like you’re part of their family,” Rose said. “Being with them makes my days go fast.”

Rose, who came to Foulk Living about two months ago, said she learned about the new position from the community’s Executive Director, Leslie Johnson. “She knew me from my last position. The community I was at didn’t have a Director of Nursing, so I took on many of the responsibilities. Leslie, who worked at the sister community, saw me taking care of residents and communicating with family members, doctors and nurses. She knew my abilities,” Rose explained. “She knew that the Wellness Navigator position was going to be launched and that I’d be a good fit.” 

Rose said a favorite part of her job is engaging with the residents. “I participate with them in Zumba, ball drum, and yoga,” she said. Not only is this fun for her, but it also encourages more participation on the part of the residents.

Rose also conducts wellness checks, which she does as friendly, one-on-one visits with residents. “I like to get to know them and see if there’s anything they need,” she said, adding that the residents love the individualized attention. Their family members appreciate it as well. And for residents who don’t have any family, she said, “this is a good way for me to keep them company and see if they need help with anything.”

With Navigator as part of her title, Rose is a point-of-contact and source of assistance for the residents and their families if there are questions or concerns. “Everyone has direct access to her phone, and she is very responsive,” said Leslie.

Rose said she helps the marketing team introduce the community to prospective residents for independent and assisted living. “I’ll also be coordinating a support group for residents, family members, and people in the community who are dealing with dementia,” she said.

As the person granting wishes, ensuring well-being, and making people smile, Rose believes that the Wellness Navigator is a unique and very important role in senior living. “I’m helping to ensure that Foulk Living provides a happy, active and engaged life to all residents,” she said.