Resident Assistant Terry Dutkovich Serves The Birches Community with a Smile

As a resident assistant for The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, Terry Dutkovich thrives on making Birches residents smile.

“I just go to work hoping that I can make somebody’s day and that I can be part of that resident’s pleasure and happiness,” said Dutkovich.

It is Dutkovich’s dedication and passion for helping Birches residents that earned her the Hearts and Hands Award from the Life Services Network, which is reserved for individuals who go above and beyond the normal responsibilities of their job to offer person-centered care in the eldercare industry.

Dutkovich works in Encore, The Birches’ memory care neighborhood, where she assists residents with their daily activities. Dutkovich’s supervisor, Director of Encore and Memory Care Services Jackie Raschke, is extremely grateful to have such a dedicated associate on her team.

“She comes to work every day with a smile on her face and a mission to make today the best day for the residents.”

And just as much as The Birches and Jackie Raschke are grateful to have Dutkovich on their team, Dutkovich insists that the feeling is mutual. She loves the warm environment at The Birches and thoroughly enjoys working with the residents and her fellow associates.

“I like the residents that live there, and I like the people that I work with. Coming to work is a pleasure. The Birches is a special place because it’s not like any other place that I’ve been. I come to work happy. I might be tired when I leave and a little sore, but I truly have found a place that makes me happy,” said Dutkovich.

Dutkovich says she is particularly grateful to work with Jackie Raschke who is always supportive, positive, and open to new ideas.

“I enjoy working with Jackie Raschke because she does not have ‘no’ in her vocabulary. She never says ‘no’ or ‘I don’t know if that’s a good idea.’ She’s always encouraging,” said Dutkovich.

Dutkovich also appreciates The Birches’ unique perspective on aging as demonstrated through its Masterpiece Living program.  Based on a decade-long MacArthur Foundation study on aging, Masterpiece Living asserts that healthy aging is more dependent on lifestyle choices than genetics.

According to the Masterpiece Living philosophy, staying active and engaged physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually can help you remain happy and healthy until the end of your life. Dutkovich says this program has revolutionized her view on assisted living and aging.

In her free time, Dutkovich enjoys gardening and being outdoors. She works in her own garden, is a member of the Garden Club of Downers Grove, and volunteers at the Gregg House Gardens in Westmont.

“I like working in the yard, and I like being outside. I like being outside more than I do inside,” said Dutkovich.

Dutkovich also brings her love of gardening to her work at The Birches, where she enjoys coordinating gardening crafts and projects for Birches residents. Last year, she coordinated a project where residents and their family members made garden stepping stones, and, for National Gardening Week last June, she helped residents put together potted plant arrangements. Both the stepping stones and the potted plants were placed in the Encore garden for residents to enjoy and share.

This June marks Dutkovich’s three year anniversary at The Birches, and she still feels fortunate every day to work somewhere so welcoming, supportive, and appreciative of her unique gifts. Although she remains humble about her contributions to The Birches, she is very grateful that her hard work and dedication has been recognized through the Life Services Network’s Hearts and Hands Award.

“It’s a wonderful feeling at this time in my life to actually have someone recognize me and say I’m doing a good job. Who doesn’t want that?” said Dutkovich.