Good Company

Longtime Valley VNA Senior Care Resident, Caregiver Promise to Stay Together

Erma Peters, 104, holds the distinctive title of Valley VNA’s longest resident. She moved into her apartment on Lyon Drive in Neenah more than 24 years ago as one of the first tenants in the newly built independent senior apartment community. Marcia Siebers, a personal care worker for Valley VNA’s In-Home Care division, joined the organization in 2001 and came to know Erma in 2012 when she hurt her arm and needed help to shop for groceries and safely bathe.

Since then, the two women have forged a strong and dedicated friendship. “We’ve been together since then,” said Marcia, 74, who has partially retired but still fills the role of friend and companion for Erma through Valley VNA. “I made a promise to Erma that I wouldn’t retire until she didn’t need me anymore, and Valley VNA lets me stay on just for her.”

Erma recently relocated from her independent apartment with In-Home Care services to an assisted living apartment at Valley VNA. Twice a week, Marcia visits her to have lunch, sort through belongings, and answer questions about her mail. Erma especially loves that Marcia knows her taste in food. “I love McDonald’s, and I love shrimp,” she said.

The friendship is not one-sided. Marcia has come to see Erma as a mother figure to her. “Even my husband says, ‘You are in a good mood today. It must be an Erma day.’ She is such a sweetheart, and I am so happy to have the chance to stay on with her.”