A foreign face with a local soul

"I met many senior citizens when I was at the healthcare company. During this time, I learned that good health is important and that many elderly people require professional services to achieve this. As the aging population grows in China, I believe senior care will be a promising industry," she says.

In 2018, Puzankova joined Haiyang Group, a Shanghai-based company that operates the nursing home, as an executive assistant. During that period, she performed so well in her nursing and management training that she was appointed the director of the home after just one year.

Her passion for this field has compelled her to learn from her global counterparts.

"I like the design of some nursing homes in the United States. Operators create home-like environments instead of decorating the place like wards," she says.

"For example, the walls would be decorated with baskets and fake flowers, and the elderly can move the flowers from one basket to another. This lovely idea also helps to improve their memory," she says.

When family visits and group activities were suspended during the novel coronavirus outbreak, Puzankova implemented a similar idea at the home, purchasing vegetable seeds and growing them in the field near the nursing home so that the residents can observe the plants growing from their windows.

"Just watching the plants grow can lift their spirits. We can also serve these organic vegetables to them," she explains.

A caregiver, surnamed Cai, says the atmosphere at the home has changed since Puzankova took charge.

"She makes life in the nursing home uplifting and purposeful," says Cai.

"She throws monthly birthday parties for the elderly, creates a festive mood in the home for every traditional festival and frequently organizes handicrafts classes and activities to stimulate the minds of the residents."

Puzankova says although the pace of life in Shanghai is accelerating, working with the elderly acts as a constant reminder of the importance of slowing down and looking after one's family and health.

Looking ahead to the future, the Latvian is planning to offer her services to more seniors in the surrounding areas, especially those with mental disabilities.

"I hope more volunteers will join us and more resources are accessible," she says.

"I simply like communicating with people, understanding their personalities and offering help when they are in need. Making an elderly person happy isn't hard. It just takes a little time, love and thought."