When Kate Mullen walks into work at Bridges by EPOCH at Hingham, she says the residents always smile and greet her with a hug. “That you don’t see in the corporate world. The residents don’t have any filters.” Over seven years ago, before Kate began working in assisted living and memory care, she made phone calls all day from a cubicle. Being a social woman from a family of seven, Kate is much happier interacting face-to-face with people all day. “It’s such a breath of fresh air. The residents give so much.”
Three months ago, Kate joined our team as the programming assistant for Sarah Turcotte, our Life Enrichment and Activities Director at Bridges by EPOCH at Hingham. She left her concierge position at an assisted living facility because she says Bridges is top-notch, four miles from her home and allows her to work with residents more directly. She participates in all the activities with residents and even suggests future outings. Kate grew up in nearby Cohasset and attended private school in Hingham, so she uses her local know-how to get the most out of field trips and service outings for residents.
As an artist and former rower, Kate appreciates that her new workplace is next to the harbor and just 25 miles from Boston. She says the convenient location gives residents plenty to do, including many trips to Boston’s impressive museums. Kate believes these trips are essential because they engage the residents’ minds and allow them to expend energy. “It makes them healthier to be brought out into the world, and they’re happy about coming home because they’ve had a full day. It makes them easier to approach and work with.”
In addition to outings, Kate draws on her years of art instruction to teach residents various drawing and painting techniques. Recently, the residents formed a new craft group with Kate’s help. They call themselves the “Knotty Knitters.” “It’s a ball. We knit scarves for the homeless.” The activities team especially focuses on service and charity projects so residents have the opportunity to give back to the community. “Everyone is involved with programming—even our chef who bakes the cookies we take to the soup kitchen—but our director of programming deserves a lot of credit. She’s a pioneer and not afraid to try anything that the residents might find rewarding.”
As a resident of Hingham, Kate often recognizes the families that visit and move their loved one into Bridges by EPOCH at Hingham. She says it comforts them to know one of the staff is their former neighbor. She may have even taught a resident’s grandkid once in a town down the road! We too appreciate Kate’s deep roots in the area and her ability to make everyone feel at home. A mother of two with many hobbies, Kate is a creative nurturer. We are so thankful to have her energy and enthusiasm within our team.
“I brag about my job all the time. The residents get a lot out of what we do, and I probably get ten times as much.”