Activities Assistant Brings Joy to Seniors for 15 Years

When John Lawrence shows up for work at Good Samaritan – St. Martin Village in Rapid City, South Dakota, his mission is beautifully simple: bring fun and make residents smile.

But behind those smiles lies 15 years of dedication to something much deeper than games and activities. Lawrence serves as an activities assistant, a role that transforms daily life for seniors who might otherwise spend their days alone in their rooms.

"This job is more about life enrichment," Lawrence explains. "What are the residents' interests, and what can I do to make their life better?"

Lawrence doesn't settle for making most residents happy. He works to reach everyone, even those who resist leaving their rooms. He's become an expert at finding each person's spark, whether it's baseball, sewing, or surprisingly, nail painting.

"I never thought I'd say this, but painting nails has to be one of my favorite activities," Lawrence admits. "You get to listen to their stories, their life, their gossip."

That simple act of painting nails once helped him reach a legally blind resident who refused to leave her room or socialize. After Lawrence offered to paint her nails in her room, she gradually began to trust him. Eventually, she started joining other activities and connecting with fellow residents.

When that same woman entered hospice care, her final request was for Lawrence to touch up her nails. Though she became unresponsive before their scheduled appointment, Lawrence painted them anyway, honoring her wish in her final moments.

Death is an unavoidable part of working in long-term care, but Lawrence has found meaning in it. He organizes celebrations of life at the facility so homebound residents can grieve and honor their friends who've passed.

Sunny's Take

What makes Lawrence's work special isn't just his creativity or persistence. It's his refusal to let anyone feel invisible. In a world that often overlooks seniors, he shows up every day to remind each person that their interests, stories, and even their favorite nail polish color matter.

His secret? "Some days you just show up and be the positive person in their life," Lawrence says. "Even though you don't feel like you're making a difference, you're making a difference."

After 15 years, Lawrence believes this caring approach isn't unique to him but reflects the entire Good Samaritan culture. Still, residents and staff call it "the John touch," that special way he makes everyone feel seen and valued.

For anyone considering senior care work, Lawrence has simple advice: give it a shot. The smiles you create might just change your life as much as theirs.