05/19/2024
Exciting things have been happening at Edna’s Place! After more than 25 years in long term care, including home health, skilled nursing, inpatient, management and more as a therapist AND starting a successful Family Care Home named for my grandmother in 2021, life has a funny way of changing. I celebrated my 50th birthday in January, Billy and I became empty nesters. Adam is playing College Football at East Carolina University, Will is a successful funeral director (locally thank goodness) and Emma is living and working in Charlotte; Billy and I have found after nearly 30 years of marriage that we are enjoying our time traveling and fishing! I felt I was at a crossroads of sorts for a long while and prayed and contemplated what should become of Edna’s Place. I could not imagine someone else running “my” business. I’m a “do it my way or not at all” kind of girl (ask Nicole and the staff). I meticulously analyzed every situation from resident care, activities to paperwork. If you believe in “God things” like I do, you will understand that my prayers were answered in more ways than I can explain. We received a call from our consultant and my Administrator License Preceptor that a friend in Wyoming was interested in opening her own Family Care home in NC. Nicole Davenport, her husband Larry and her daughter, Hailee moved from their home to NC and Nicole began a management position at Edna’s Place. Hailee also joined us as an employee. Nicole suffered through my many character flaws, late night texts and emails, rants about everything from staffing, how to assist with a shower, the “proper” way to file or prepare for a doctor visit. SO much more. I have never once seen her intimidated by a family member, resident OR myself. Caring for a family’s loved one is truly an honor, however it can be one of the most difficult and stressful undertakings one can ever face. It can be brutal at times. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way to please everyone. We give our best effort in every situation and strive to provide a level of care like none other in Randolph County. Nicole handles every situation with grace, gives the best advice, helps me see situations from a different (calmer) perspective and isn’t afraid to tell me I’m wrong. Most of all, Nicole and her family LOVE our residents. She brings to the table a different approach and personality. Much more laid back than I am. Nicole proves to me over and over that she couldn’t have been more perfect and well suited to take Edna’s Place to the next level. In November of 2023 employees and families were notified that Nicole would move forward as the new owner of Edna’s Place in December of 2023. This has been a huge undertaking and everyone has settled in beautifully. Edna’s Place has grown and flourished since then and will continue to do so in the future. It has already far surpassed my dreams. There have been many speculations and questions for me (as well in public), which are understandable. If you have questions, please ask Nicole or myself. We have both contemplated various ways to share this publicly as well as the “right time”. In OUR time. This business is extremely important to me and to my family and this decision wasn’t taken lightly. I am still available as a consultant for Nicole as needed and have filled in when needed as a caregiver and will continue to do so. I still maintain the Edna’s Place FB page for now, as it is connected to my personal page as a business page. More importantly, I have gained a lifelong friend in Nicole, who feels more like family. She IS my family. My prayer is that families, friends and this community support Nicole as owner, as you have me and my family.
