Marylou Heacock, LPN, a Licensed Practical Nurse with Higley Mansion Care Center

Get to know Licensed Practical Nurse Marylou Heacock, who serves patients in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Marylou is a licensed practical nurse specializing in residential care and end-of-life preparation. She serves as the Resident Care Coordinator at Higley Mansion Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Higley Mansion Care Center is a 41-room residential care facility licensed by the state of Iowa. Each room has its own private bathroom offering the conveniences one would have in their own home. Higley Mansion is the home of residents and the care team works within their home, providing the proper level of care needed for the residents to remain as independent as they are able.

Having worked with Higley Mansion Care Center right out of college, Marylou earned the ropes from past administrators such as Peggy Powell, Wendy Albers, and Gert Thomas – all excellent mentors. She attributes her success to God and is motivated at the start of each day knowing that she has given her word to fulfill her job responsibilities, her friends at the assisted living facility, as well as her sheer enjoyment of its success.

“When someone is down or sad in life, I have the opportunity to possibly change their outlook. When someone needs love, I am here with open arms or a soft caress on their shoulder to say ‘I understand and want to help you’. And at the end of life, I have the honor to help ease their fears, try to bring music or family photos within sight, and collect mementos within the room to put within reach, helping to ease their minds and give medication to help ease any pain. I treat them as I wish someone will treat me” she stated. 

With over two decades of experience in her field, Marylou’s love and respect for the elderly made her choose a career in nursing. Prior to her current endeavours, she served as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Charge Nurse, and Director of Nursing. 

As for her academic career, she graduated from Alexis I. duPont High School in June of 1974. Years later, in 2000, she earned her nursing degree from Kirkwood Community College. To date, her research interests include dementia, Binswanger’s disease, psychology, music, and dance.

In addition to serving as the Head Board Director of Caravan of International Dance, Marylou is an Adult Abuse Educational Trainer. Many nursing homes and senior centers throughout Seattle, Des Moines, Altoona, Cedar Rapids, Wilmington, Greenville, Newark, Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Elkton, Perryville, and New Market (Canada) have received her contributory acts of performance and gifts (including dances, lip sync performances, home-baked multi-tiered cakes, and birthday acknowledgements). 

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides routine care for the sick or injured. They work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses, performing duties such as taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medication, ensuring patient comfort, and reporting the status of their patients to the nurses. 

LPNs are generally hired in smaller settings such as nursing homes, home health environments, and rehabilitation centers. They must be skilled in balancing care for patients and completing practical daily administrative tasks.

On a more personal note, Marylou’s favorite movie genres are thrillers, mysteries, comedies, nature, and education. Her favorite type of music is rock and roll, waltz, country, Hawaiian easy listening, and elevator music. Her favorite medical publication is Today’s Nurse. One of her main interests is religion.

Outside of nursing, Marylou enjoys spending time with her family and friends, singing, dancing, doing crafts, teaching, and helping to improve herself (which she considered to be a never-ending feat). Her favorite place to vacation is at any beach. “I LOVE to travel anywhere, everywhere. A bit of a daredevil. I’ve skydived twice, snorkeled, been in a helicopter, traveled the Grand Canyon, taught dance to the deaf, taught cake decorating to the blind, belly danced with a chicken, and also belly danced barefooted in a snowstorm in Iowa. BRRRR. Done the Polar plunge in an evening gown. Been on television and radio many times” she stated. 

When asked who she would like to meet, she answered: the Queen of England, Ellen DeGeneres, and God. 

Learn More About Marylou Heacock:

Through her online profile, https://todaysnurse.org/network/index.php?do=/4145917/info/