Sarah Silva, President, Areté Living
Each year I’m excited to celebrate Assisted Living Week as we honor our team members and residents. I’ve served in senior living my entire career, starting as a caregiver. I know what it’s like to be on the front lines – and our assisted living teams certainly do deserve this week to celebrate them and all they do for our residents.
Inspiring generations
This year’s Assisted Living Week theme by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is Inspiring Generations. Being in the senior living industry, we have the privilege of being around seniors daily – to inspire them and be inspired by them.
I invite you to take time this week to listen to a resident’s story. Ask them something about their life. Discover their perspective. One of my favorite parts of my job is visiting senior living communities and listening to our teams and residents.
Hearing our residents takes me back to the “why” behind our work. They are the center of everything we do and every decision we make.
Reflecting on a successful year
Each September, Assisted Living Week is another moment for me to reflect on the incredible work our teams have accomplished throughout the year.
Six of our senior living communities earned AHCA/NCAL’s Bronze Commitment to Quality Award. I give a big congratulations to Avamere at Seaside, Avamere at St. Helens, Avamere at Port Townsend, Avamere at Wenatchee, Ovation Heartwood Preserve, and Ovation Sienna Hills. I want to extend a special shoutout to Avamere at Oak Park for earning the Silver Achievement in Quality Award. Their team was one of only two 2024 winners in Oregon. Thank you for your outstanding commitment to serving our seniors and delivering the top-quality care they deserve.
Ovation Sienna Hills in St. George, Utah was named Best of Southern Utah for the third year – this time taking home gold. I’m so proud of our team! This award is voted by the public, and earning this prestigious award three times since opening in 2021 is a testament to the trust they’ve established in the local area.
This year we showed up more than ever at the Portland Pride Festival and Parade. I love seeing the camaraderie and commitment to our core value “a culture of respect, belonging, and celebration of diversity.” Our teams honor many observances through the year by learning, sharing and listening to the experiences of others, and showing support. I look forward to elevating our efforts even more in the next year.
Thank you
From every award and every service given with a smile, thank you to our assisted living teams for your immense dedication to your job. You are the backbone of our senior living communities. I appreciate each one of you.
Thank you to our residents and family members for choosing our senior living communities at Avamere, The Stafford, and Ovation. It’s a true honor to serve you.
Happy Assisted Living Week!