Merja Siikaluoma’s career in the care sector is second to none. She has worked as a nurse, deaconess, district nurse, director of an assisted living facility and regional manager.
She has a diverse educational background – a master’s degree, a Specialist Vocational Qualification in Leadership, studies in pedagogy and gerontology, life coaching, logotherapy and art therapy. Her studies reflect her passion for care work.
In 2021, Merja took on a new challenge once more when she became the head of Esperi Care’s Nursing Home Ainola. She did not settle for simply doing her work, as she has a calling to share her lifelong knowledge through the master-apprentice approach.
Leader of the entire work community – inclusive, inspiring, human
Merja’s professional leadership is evident in daily work. She provides individual support for staff development, guides team leaders in their studies towards a Further Vocational Qualification in First-Level Management and a higher degree, and brings the latest research data and digital innovations to the work community.
Merja’s leadership has also helped overcome difficulties.
– When the number of nursing staff was reduced, we didn’t freeze and wallow. Instead, we adjusted our roles and schedules using the Lean method. The result was an even more functional everyday life.
The work community particularly praises Merja for her cheerful humour, calmness and ethical support.
– Merja has directed our nursing home with exceptional steadiness and warmth. She doesn’t just lead, she educates us as nurses and leaders, say team leaders Anu Tolonen and Jaana Juusola.
Resident orientation at the heart of everything
Nursing Home Ainola also focuses on the quality of life of older persons.
In the care of older persons, we always have this one golden rule: treat the client as you would want yourself or a loved one to be treated.
This attitude has paid off – in 2022, Ainola ranked at the top of nursing homes in a resident satisfaction survey conducted by the National Institute for Health and Welfare.
While working for her previous employers, Merja organised nature-based Green Care activities, such as bringing the natural environment to elderly persons, arranging for visits by a therapy sheep, and hatching eggs into chicks.
Retirement plans and a tribute to Merja’s career
Next spring, Merja plans to retire. This year’s recognition award is a fitting and timely tribute to a long career that has impacted countless colleagues, nurses and older people – as well as the activities of Tehy, in which Merja has been involved for decades at an organisational level. Merja has been a member of the Board of Tehy’s Administrative Division for over 20 years. She has also held various positions of trust in the Finnish Nurses Association over the decades, including serving on the association’s board and council.
– If I had buried my knowledge at home, it would have been a disservice to myself as well, said Merja when she started her current job.
Since 2002, the La Carita Foundation has been presenting recognition awards to teams and distinguished leaders for their excellent work with elderly people. The award presented today is the twelfth recognition award to a manager of care for the elderly. It was presented in conjunction with Tehy’s ‘Good Care for Older People’ training day. The award was presented for the first time in 2011.
The La Carita Foundation seeks to promote the wellbeing of elderly and older persons in Finland. Contact person for the La Carita Foundation: [email protected]
Further information: Merja Siikaluoma, tel. +358 50 438 2237, [email protected]