A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Colleen Ramos

A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Colleen Ramos

Caring for the elderly is a position that isn’t right for everyone, but for Colleen Ramos, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Rittenhouse Village in Portage, it’s a wonderful job. Upholding Rittenhouse’s vow to provide superior care is at the top of her list of priorities each and every day when she comes to work.

Ramos was born in East Chicago, and eventually settled down in Portage. She chose Portage because she truly enjoys the area and was able to create a nice life for herself and her family there.

“I like the area, we were able to buy a house with a nice part of land” Ramos said.

The choice to join the staff at Rittenhouse was an easy one, once she’d done some research. Ramos wasn’t willing to work just anywhere, instead, she chose to research facilities to find one she believed would be a good fit for her.

“I checked different areas once I got my license and visited facilities to see which place I liked the best, and Rittenhouse stuck out to me,” said Ramos. “The residents were happy and getting along. I felt at home.”

Ramos felt at home enough to submit an application and accept a job at Rittenhouse. Taking care of others for the day may be difficult at times, but it’s a job Ramos finds reward in. The opportunity to interact with residents and get to know them on a more personal level provides a chance to forge great relationships with those she cares for.

“I enjoy taking care of the residents. I like the interaction I have with them and they’re a lot of fun. They can be ornery at times too,” said Ramos.

Outside of work, Ramos enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. A mother to seven children, she has many grandchildren ranging from those whom are very young in age to those making their way into adulthood. She enjoys visiting her children who have scattered across the country as they’ve gotten older.

The farthest she’s travelled to visit family is Hawaii, a state she says isn’t much different than Puerto Rico, but still beautiful and a pleasure to visit all the same.

“I had a son stationed in Hawaii, so I had the opportunity to go out there. It was a nice visit.” said Ramos.

She also enjoys attending the parades and festivals in the Northwest Indiana area because it allows her to see the community coming together. It also provides a chance for her to spend time with family, including her many grandchildren.

“We go to the fourth of July parades and festivals that they have in town every year. I missed this past year, though,” said Ramos.

Having a large family of her own, Ramos understands the importance of taking care of others’ family members. Working in Senior care is often a difficult job, but being at Rittenhouse often feels like home for residents and staff alike. Ramos truly enjoys the residents, the interaction she has with them, and the general atmosphere of the senior living community.