Andrea MacDonald
Community Leader
Andrea is the eldest of 5 siblings, so growing up, she recognized her role as a caregiver at a young age. Her instinct for helping others intensified as she watched her grandparents fall ill. Assisting with personal care and psychosocial health, Andrea started the path for her career in the Healthcare Field.
As a lifelong learner, she worked a variety of positions initially to jumpstart her experience and continue her education. From Spinal Cord Injuries to palliative care, she began to observe the workings of diverse level's of care.
Acute care opened her eyes to the compassion and empathy required to assist those of all ages. This fast-paced environment secured her belief in holistic care. As a float nurse, she found herself working frequently on the Alternative Level of Care Unit. This was the beginning of years of dementia training, skill development and her love for senior care was born. A highlight of Andrea's career was becoming a Team member of the Victoria Order of Nurses. It is here she encouraged independence and the respect for those that yearn to live in their home for the reminder of their lives.
With her increasing interest in dementia care, Andrea completed her Positive Approach to Care training, Certifying her as a Dementia Educator. The premise of Living in the moment, encouraging self-expression and respecting those living with dementia for where they are was the focus. She has participated in education sessions for families and those living with early onset dementia.
Becoming part of the ExquisiCare Team as Community Leader in 2021, Andrea has made it her goal to make non institutional care available to seniors her focus. Making a home environment available, while exceeding the standard of care has been exciting. It’s the ‘thinking outside the box”. Tasked based care is a thing of the past, and she strives to push the dignity, independence, choice and respect that ExquisiCare stands for.
As Community Leader, Andrea has overall operational accountability for our 3 SW Edmonton locations. She oversees and ensures the high standards of quality care, mentors and engages staff and is the main point of contact for our extended families.
