Heart of the Home
Sadie Fuson’s 28-Year Journey of Care, Community, and Compassion
Sadie Fuson
In the quiet town of Madrid, Iowa, nestled among cornfields and near the High Trestle Trail Bridge, there’s a place where compassion isn’t just a mission, it’s a way of life. And if you ask anyone at Madrid Home, they’ll tell you that Sadie Fuson is its beating heart.
For nearly three decades, Sadie has been a constant presence in the halls of this century-old elder care facility. What began as a teenage job making beds has blossomed into a career defined by mentorship, leadership, and love. “Twenty-eight full years, and I’m starting my 29th,” she says with a smile that’s greeted generations of residents.
Sadie’s story is one of quiet evolution. She started as a “unit aide” in 1997, earned her CNA certification, and never looked back. Over the years, she became a Certified Medication Aide, a lead CNA, and eventually stepped into an administrative role overseeing clinical scheduling and onboarding. But titles don’t define her. “I have no problem jumping on the floor and helping out, any day, every day,” she says. Her hands-on approach and deep empathy make her more than a coordinator, she’s a caregiver in every sense.
Sadie’s legacy isn’t just in the care she’s given—it’s in the caregivers she’s shaped. As head of the Mentor Program, she welcomed new CNAs with warmth and wisdom, holding regular huddles to boost morale and brainstorm ways to deliver better care. Her secret? Appreciation. “I always try to tell them, ‘Good job’… I know how it was when I was in their shoes,” she says.
Her mentorship extended into the community as well. From collecting cans to hosting Labor Day raffles, Sadie helped raise funds for medical equipment that improved the lives of residents. “We raised money for two blanket warmers and two wheelchair scales,” she recalls proudly. It wasn’t just fundraising, it was bridge-building between the nursing home and the town.
Ask Sadie what she loves most, and her answer is immediate: “My favorite job… was a CNA coming on the floor. My passion is taking care of people.” Even in her office, residents stop by for hugs and chats. She’s cared for neighbors, classmates’ parents, and even her own relatives. In a town of 2,500, caregiving is personal—and Sadie wouldn’t have it any other way.
Madrid Home isn’t just a facility—it’s a gathering place for lifelong locals. Sadie sees friendships rekindled over lunch, memories shared in the hallways. “People come back and get to see each other… they have friends in the dining room,” she says. It’s like a class reunion with walkers and warm blankets.
Sadie believes rural elder care has a magic all its own. “We’re a small community… there’s a lot of little towns around us that need love and care,” she says. And she’s made it her mission to provide just that.
In August 2020, a derecho windstorm hit Iowa hard. Power was lost, residents had to be evacuated, and Sadie was in the thick of it, mask on, lifting mattresses, guiding wheelchairs. Beside her? A man she assumed was a maintenance staff member. It turns out that it was Kris Hansen, CEO of Western Home Communities. “It was like Undercover Boss,” Sadie laughs. That moment cemented her respect for the organization that now owns and operates Madrid Home. “He’s just like me, has a different job… and he still helps when he can.”
Madrid Home has evolved since its founding in 1906, but its spirit remains rooted in faith and community. Sadie embodies that spirit. She’s mentored dozens, comforted hundreds, and inspired countless others to lead with heart. “You can’t teach love for the residents… You can show them,” she says. And show them she has, through hugs, homemade cookies, and late-night vigils. As she enters her 29th year, Sadie Fuson continues to make Madrid Home feel like just that: home.
