Be The Change at The Lakes at Litchfield

What is your position at The Lakes at Litchfield?

I am the community’s Social Director.

How long have you been at The Lakes at Litchfield?

I have been in my role for 1 year.

What excites you the most about this position and this company?

What excites me most is coordinating activities and events that bring joy to our members.

What is your favorite thing about working for Senior Living Communities?

I like the freedom to work independently but also with a bigger team by connecting with our sister communities.

Describe a time that a Member had a positive impact on your day?

This happens each time they have an activity/event/outing and I can see that this event brings joy, happiness and they learn something new. They are so appreciative and tell me how much the programming I plan means to them, and this energizes me daily.

What about your position allows you to pursue what makes you feel the most passionate in life?

I am passionate about people and being a light of hope, kindness and helpful to them. This ensures that they understand that they matter and are important. This position allows me to be this light for them in all I do.

When it comes to your programming, what is the motivation behind specific activities, events, programs that you do with your Members?

I want to provide programming that Members are interested in that allows them to live their lives to its fullest and brings them joy and hope. They can learn something new, or remember, and reminisce about their life.

How does your community come together to work together to provide a vibrant social life for your Members? Dining, Wellness, Social?

However I would say it is teamwork and communication. I am appreciative of Wellness Director, Theresa and Director of Dining Services, Michael who have been here for a long time and can answer all my questions about what we have done in the past and will be here for when we really open up to continue to provide a vibrant social life.

A common misconception is that senior living social activities are all bingo all the time. How do you break that stereotype?

By asking our Members what they want to do, and paying attention to their interests. They typically want to participate in other activities and therefore we’re able to create quality programs that aren’t just the stereotypical senior living activities.

How do you incorporate your Member’s feedback, personal lives, preferences, etc into your daily programming?

It’s really everything I do!! I ask them what they would like, I talk to them, and interact on a daily basis. I observe if they are smiling, clapping, and dancing at activities and events. If no one signs up for an activity – I try to find out why, and then either tweak the activity or try a different one that gets better results in participation.

Fun Fact: What are a few of your favorite hobbies?

Snorkeling/boating/travel is my favorite hobby. If not, my two children and husband are my hobby at this point and just being the best Mom and wife I can be.

What is something many people don’t know about you?

I love high heels, but prefer wedge heels so that I can still walk quickly and be stable on my feet; I can even run in high heels. I have loved high heels since I was a little girl and “played dress-up”. Also, I am a total person of habit and can eat the same thing every day, and have the same routine every day. I eat celery, cucumbers, and jalapeno pimento cheese, and wasabi almonds for lunch! Why mess with perfection?

How has COVID-19 impacted your programming? Why are activities important during this time?

Activities/events/programming are vital to the health and wellbeing to who we are as people!! We are social beings and need human interaction, so our programs, even if they are limited in size and distance, are crucial to everyone’s mental and physical health.