The Carriage Court Senior Living Executive Director Shares How She Got Her Start in Senior Living

Senior living has certainly changed over the past decade. An industry that once provided very little hands-on care has blossomed into a wonderful option for older adults. It now provides varying levels of assistance with residents’ activities of daily living, while arranging many opportunities for socialization and community. I am fortunate to work for Arrow Senior Living leading the Carriage Court Senior Living team. I would like to share a little about my journey to becoming a senior living leader.

I got into senior living by accident! I was at a family party, with my now husband, at the end of my senior year of college. A relative of his was asking how my job search was going and I shared with her it was disappointing and frustrating. She shared an opportunity with me at her current employer, a short-term rehab and assisted living community in Columbus, OH. I applied, interviewed, and was offered a job working in the admissions office. I helped families navigate their options and guided them in the right direction. By no means did I think I would find a career in my first job out of college, but I did. Everything just clicked and made sense to me. From there, I knew I wanted to grow and become more involved and educated on senior living.

I stay in senior living because I’m making a difference. I am a compassionate person that genuinely cares about the people who choose to live and work in senior living. In this industry, like any other, it’s difficult to find people who care enough to want to go above and beyond to serve our residents. I found my niche and I love the people I serve.

I choose Arrow Senior Living because they have a set of core values that I align with without hesitation. We are an organization that is constantly seeking ways to innovate, to become better. We know we aren’t perfect, but we are constantly evolving. We are always striving to be better and do better. We host a monthly Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion series as we try to recognize and embrace our differences. Arrow Senior Living cares about the people – that’s it.

There is always going to be a need for this type of service, it has improved so much over the years. I believe it will continue to grow and improve in the coming months and years. More people will be open to a move to senior living in the coming years and communities like ours will continue to adapt and evolve to meet their needs.

If someone is considering a career in senior living management, I would tell them to go for it, if they have the heart, even if they don’t know all the facts. If you have the heart to have a career in senior living, you will be successful, because good management comes from good people. The regulations and the policies can be learned.

Arrow Senior Living and I invite you to reach out and learn more about a career in senior living. Working in this industry can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Whether you’re interested in caregiving, management, or another aspect of senior living, there are a wide variety of roles available that allow you to make a positive impact on the lives of older adults and their families.