Kansas City, MO — Bickford of Marion’s Family Advocate Megan Falat was recently honored as one of three nominees for 2023 Family Advocate of the year at the company’s annual Pearl Ceremony in Kansas City. As part of the annual awards ceremony, Bickford headquarters sent a video crew to capture Marion’s residents and resident family members talking about the impact she’s had on them, and why she deserves the recognition. Here’s what they had to say. Congratulations, Megan! We’re proud to have you on our team.

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Elena Lightheart: Megan is an angel. You can’t see her wings, but she’s an angel through and through. She got me and my mother through some of the most difficult times while my mother lived here. My mother had severe dementia and Megan was always there. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone. Megan should be family advocate of the year because nobody could do it better than her. She makes everybody feel special and loved. When my mother passed in in May, I left my mother’s belongings that she couldn’t use anymore and Megan took three of her sweaters and she made mittens out of my mom’s sweaters, and it was the most sentimental gift anybody’s ever given me because when I look at those mittens, I can see my mother wearing every one of those sweaters that she used. And Megan did this on her own time. She did it out of the goodness of her heart, she didn’t have to do it. And this is the most precious gift I’ve ever had.

Deb Lukes: She has embraced Bickford wholeheartedly She is very aware of the residents and how their day is going and she wants to make their day better.

June Cunningham: There’s always a little bit of worry. Like, Oh, what’s gonna happen? There isn’t anybody in this position doing things, you know, that Bickford needs. Megan showed up and I was assured. One thing in particular at Halloween they all dressed up, and she had her homemade costume. I think she was, like, an octopus. She had long tentacles and little wires. She could move them and it was quite amusing. She just puts everything into whatever task she has to do. She has technically a clinical job to do, but she doesn’t come across that way with the residents. Comes across as a friend, a helper.

Sally Treiber: I’ve been here on a day when she’s brought her violin and given a personal concert to the residents. I just feel like she she goes out of way to come up with some creative ways to reach people. Thank you, Megan, for your leadership and the caregiver support group. And also, you make a very good apple pie.

Rhona Reamon: She comes over and she plays her violin for us. She likes to dance around, and she likes to make it fun.

Jeremy O’Brien: Megan, thanks for everything. My parents, are very grateful, and I am very grateful.