By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer

Many companies frown on relatives working together. However, at Ashley Glen, the numerous mother-daughter teams on staff “complement the family atmosphere we have,” said Elaine Gaillard, marketing director for the assisted-living and memory-impaired community in Peachtree City.

Until recently, the assisted-living and Alzheimer's center had five mother-daughter teams. Currently, they “only” have three mother-daughter teams. With a staff of 31, the “teams” comprise close to 20 percent of the staff.

Managing director Diane Newton noted, “It's not so much that we encourage them; we ask our employees to think who would be good to work with them, who they would like to work with. The mothers referred their daughters.”

Caregiver Wanda Forts has worked at Ashley Glen for five months. Her daughter, Amanda Hendry, also a caregiver, joined her three months ago.

Amanda, 16 and a student at Newnan Christian School, works part-time at the center. She and her mother often work the same shift and have the same days off.

In talking about her work at Ashley Glen, Wanda said, “I love it. It's therapy for me.”

Asked why she chose to work with her mother, Amanda Hendry said, “I'd always come visit my mom, bring her dinner. I thought it would be neat to work here, to help the residents.”

Not only do the two work together, but they play together. “We do lots of things together,” noted Amanda. “We go shopping, go out to eat. We're best friends.”

Caregiver Aisha Rex has worked with her mother at the Center for a little over one year. Her mother, supervisor Gloria Rex, has been with Ashley Glen “for over two years, since before they opened,” she said.

Gloria and Aisha enjoy each other's company away from work also. “We go to movies, school functions. We're very close,” Gloria said in discussing her relationship with her daughter.

“It's nice to be working together,” she continued. “It's good to be helping her, teaching her at work. This is her first job.”

Aisha is a senior at Starr's Mill High School. When asked why she chose to work at Ashley Glen, she said, “I have always loved working with people, helping people.”

Ivory Fanning says, “It's wonderful to work here. I love the residents.” She quipped, “I must enjoy working here since I drive an hour in each direction every day.”

Ivory lives near Columbus, Georgia and has two children: Kevonta, 4 months, and Aquavious, 1 year.

She also enjoys working with her mother, Sherry Fanning. “I like working with my Mom. It's neat.” Ivory submitted her mother as an “Ashley Glen All-Star” for Mother's Day. Her submission read, “There isn't a better mother I could work with and love as I do my mother.”

Ivory said she decided to give working at Ashley Glen a try because, “My mother has worked here for over a year. She was always telling me how much she liked it, so I thought I'd give it a try.”

Ivory has been with Ashley Glen for 3 months. She intends to go to college in the fall to make her goal of becoming a delivery room nurse a reality.

Ivory's mother, Sherry, says, “Working with my daughter at Ashley Glen is just like working together at home.”

Like the other mother-daughter teams, the pair also spend time together away from work. “We go out, go to movies, arcades, go swimming. We're real close.”

Sherry encouraged her daughter to try working at the Center. “I see her being like I am. She likes people, she's happy all the time. I thought she'd make a good nurse or caregiver.”

Asked why she chose to work at Ashley Glen as a caregiver, Sherry replied, “I've been seeing about older people all of my life. I like helping and encouraging people.”

Sherry and Ivory will be going to dinner together on Mother's Day. They'll see a play at the Fox Theater also.

Caregiver's assist residents at Ashley Glen with bathing, grooming, dressing and other daily chores. Per Newton, “A lot of residents have physical challenges, the caregivers do as much as possible to encourage independence.” They also work to instill a desire in residents to “do as much as they possibly can” through kind works, laughter and support.

Ashley Glen has 46 one- and two-bedroom suites, 24-hour staffing, restaurant style dining, a beauty and barber shop and housekeeping and laundry services. Eighteen suites are exclusively dedicated to Alzheimer's and memory-impaired residents. For more information regarding Ashley Glen, contact Elaine Gaillard at 770-631-0205.

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