The Cedar Trails 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 Cedar Trails Senior Living team. I would like to share a little about my journey to becoming a senior living leader.

I had my own business in Freeburg, IL as a Restauranteur for nine years before taking the position of Culinary Director at Cedar Trails Senior Living in November 2014. This was my start in Senior Living. I changed the menus to the residents wishes and made many enhancements to improve the culinary experience. In 2016, I became Resident Services Director. This was a rewarding position filled with event planning and resident outings. In November 2022, I became Interim Executive Director and Director of Sales. Then in December 2022, I was promoted to Executive Director and Director of Sales. I enjoy both positions. I am still able to interact with the residents and with sales, I can meet new people and help them find a new home for their retirement years.

Our residents are what keep me in senior living. I feel I make a big difference in their lives by keeping them happy and healthy.

I was introduced to Arrow Senior Living after I had been working at Cedar Trails Senior Living for two years. When they came to Cedar Trails, it was a new learning experience. There were so many things they taught us that made life easier for our residents. Arrow has a great home office team and Regional Directors are always available when we need them.

The senior living community will continue to grow as our seniors age. Seniors need to be taken care of and we need to make sure that they have a good life after retirement. With households having two working family members, it has become increasingly harder for them to take care of their aging family members. That is why we are here, to help the families and to assist older adults with the best quality of life.

If someone is considering a career in senior living management, I would tell them working in senior living has been rewarding and life changing. The residents are happy here and they are a great joy to care for. Our residents rely on us to keep them safe and help them to stay well. They look to us when they need help, when they need a smile, and when they need a hug or advice.

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.