Dr. Paula Kay (P.K.) Beville’s passion is to fight for and improve the lives of society’s forgotten population: Nursing Home Residents.

In 1997, she founded a non-profit organization named Second Wind Dreams to “fulfill the dreams of those living in eldercare communities, thereby improving their lives and changing society’s perception of aging.” The organization now exists in 480 eldercare communities in 38 states, and in other countries such as India and Canada.

After working with elders in nursing homes as a geriatric psychologist for 18 years, P.K. was struck by how much spirit and excitement residents had even though they were frail and living in a nursing home. Part of P.K.’s goal with Second Wind Dreams is to get the community to view the elders how she does – as special human beings.

Though Second Wind Dreams could not afford to pay P.K. and she has refused to yet take a salary, P.K. had to make the decision to give up her practice in order to keep up with the growing organization. She and her husband have made great personal and financial sacrifices for the success of Second Wind Dreams. P.K., who fights her own battle with post-polio, Lupus, and chronic pain, serves as CEO on a completely non-paid basis.

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