Fast Five: Kady Aamot

Kady Aamot is from the Pacific Northwest and moved here around three years ago. She has three siblings; her father is a County Planner and her mother in a CNA. She graduated from Western Washington University with an associate's degree. She enjoys exploring the area, spending time with her dog and huckleberry picking. 

1. What kind of work do you do with the Post Falls Veterans Home? How did you come to learn of it? 

I was immersed into a whole new world of working primarily with veterans when I read about this job. The population within a veterans home brings a whole new element of interests, community support, and comradery. 

At the Idaho State Veterans Home — Post Falls, I served as an Activity & Volutneer Coordinator meaning I work both with residents and program planning for them as well as bring to life a volunteer program where we are able to partner with our community and best served our Veterans. 

Our team primarily focuses on three aspects within our programming — group activities, working individually with Veterans, and bringing them leisure resources that they are able to participate in independently as well. We have had a beautiful outpouring of community support where we have the opportunity to have a thriving (& growing!) volunteer program. 

In addition, we have the opportunity for bringing the residents to special events outside the Home as well as brining some events to the Home. Our volunteers participate in many areas from facilitating the bistro, to attending outings, our 'Adopt a Vet' program, helping with group activities, pet visits, music visits, and so much more. 

Each month our team looks at our resident population, their interests, their suggestions, and creates a robust program. We host a variety of activities from small sensory groups to musical concerts to large community events and everything in between! 

We have fantastic resources that we are blessed to provide our residents with from a blessing bike to virtual reality and everything in-between. 

Our goal is to give our Veterans the best quality of life we can and to align with the Idaho Division of Veteran Services mission — "Caring for America's Heroes."

2. What kind of hobbies or pastimes do you enjoy out of work? 

I was raised in a small rural area in the Pacific Northwest nestled in-between the pacific ocean, the mountains, and Canada which has shaped a large part of my hobbies I currently enjoy doing. While growing up we were always outdoors — whether biking, hiking, camping, or kayaking — our weekends were filled with fresh air and sunshine (or in the case of the PNW clouds and a few showers). Growing up you could find us skim boarding in the bay, kayaking through lakes, hiking in the mountains, or walking by the ocean. 

While I mostly was not a fan of hiking because I would fall frequently as a child — I came to greatly enjoy it. Now days those childhood roots still run strong in how I recreate. I often find myself paddle boarding, walking my dog, hiking with friends and family, cooking, and gardening. 

I have found that some of my favorite memoires come from doing these things with my loved ones. 

3. What are some of the most impactful moments of your career?

I would say my most impactful moments are not measured by the big successes but rather by the small ones. 

The thing that impacts me the most is the small breakthroughs with residents. The little moments where you have a breakthrough with a resident and find something they are passionate about and will talk in depth about, when you are able to make a favorite pastime come to life once again, or see them able to make meaningful memories. Being able to help facilitate truly meaningful experiences for our residents is one of the most impactful things for both our residents and also in my career. 

4. What is your daily motivation for serving local veterans? 

I come from a long line of military history. I have many extended family members who served in the military, and my Aunt and Uncle became a gold star family after losing their son in Afghanistan. 

A few short years later my brother joined the Army and is now a United States Army Veteran and followed in their footsteps along with our paternal Grandfather whom we never had the pleasure of meeting as he passed years before we were around but served as a WW2 Army Veteran. I really look up to a grandfather figure in my life — my "Papa" who served in the military as well as my Grandpappy — a 'lifer' in the United States Air Forces and a veteran whom we lost in 2009. 

Growing up, we had the honor of caring for our grandparents — including my grandpappy. This was the beginning of what drives my passion for what I do today. 

After we lost my Grandpappy — my Mom began working in a Dementia Care unit in which during that time I enjoyed going to work with her during the summers and my days off from school. 

As I got older, I became more involved as a family member in my grandmother's care and created many fond memories with her in her final years. She passed around the time I was deciding what was next in life. I was shadowing in the healthcare field and came to realize I really had a passion for working with the geriatric population. At that time, I was volunteering with an outdoor preschool in my hometown where I was reminded of my passion for recreation as well. 

At that point, my Mom encouraged me to apply for the program that I later went on to complete and become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. After beginning work in a Skilled Nursing Facility, I took an intermission to intern at Attunga Youth Ministires in NSW, Australia. 

When I can back stateside every door opened for this job that combined both my passion for working with geriatrics along with serving the population that many important people in my life came along side and I have been growing in this position ever since. 

5. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? 

In my grandma's final years — our favorite thing to do together was sit outside in the warm weather, eat a sweet treat, listen to classic country music, & watch mutton bustin' videos. 

Many laughs were shared and fond memories were made. 

    Kady Aamot and her father share a laugh during a family trip.
  

    Recently, Aamot returned from a backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Mountains.
  

    Aamot smiles while visiting with a friend.