National Assisted Living Week is a time to pause and recognize the impactful contributions of caregivers, residents and the entire assisted living community, a reminder of how individuals play critical roles in providing compassionate care and fostering a sense of belonging for older adults. We’re proud to be part of this community, supporting the workforce that delivers the highest standards of care and service to residents who depend on them.
The theme for this year, “Inspiring Generations,” captures the essence of assisted living. It’s not just about providing a place to live; it’s about creating an environment where older adults can thrive, maintaining their independence while receiving the care they need.
To mark this special week, we’re sharing insights from professionals who have dedicated their careers to enhancing the lives of those in assisted living communities. Having worked extensively in these communities, they have brought their expertise to ShiftKey and OnShift, where they continue to make a profound impact. Their testimonials highlight the significance of assisted living for both residents and caregivers alike.
Kate Pentz, MSN, RN, LNHA:
“Over the last two decades, I have had the pleasure of working in the senior living industry at various levels of care. Each level of care offers its benefits, but the assisted living space offers a sense of safety and security for those who need more supervision than independent living but less supervision than intermediate care or skilled nursing. In the assisted living setting, an elder can have the privacy of their personal space but have 24-hour access to social circles, healthcare professionals and activities right outside their door, within the community.
I have seen elders thrive in an assisted living facility when they would have otherwise been struggling at home secondary to physical or mental limitations. As we age, walking, driving and standing for longer periods of time may seem more difficult. These challenges can cause us to make changes in our daily routines that affect our quality of life and potentially our health. For me, the most devastating is that I have had conversations with elders who had gone extended periods of time without human touch, like a hug or a conversation with a live person because their spouse had passed or their kids were unable to visit regularly. Having the sense of love and belonging is a basic human need despite age.
I believe that the assisted living space can provide that for elders that can still live somewhat independently. The workforce within the community become the extended family they needed to enhance their quality of life in their everyday interactions. I am a firm believer that assisted living communities are a valuable pillar in the healthcare continuum.”
Lori Presser, BSHA, CADDCT, CDP, ACC/ECU, CMP, CEAL:
“Happy National Assisted Living Week! Annually, during this week we honor and appreciate the exceptional caregivers, workforce, and residents in assisted living while educating the public about this distinctive aspect of long-term care.
The theme this year, “Inspiring Generations,” reminds me that working within assisted living and long-term care, we work with the generation that inspires the long-term workforce to continue to make positive changes, think out of the box, and to create quality care while upholding an older adult’s personhood and identity.
During my tenure working as an executive director within assisted living, I worked with families and residents to provide a quality of life that included engaging activities, safe environment and caregivers providing the best possible care. The best part of my position was to witness an older adult blossom with friendships and better health within assisted living and enjoy the 'golden' years!”
At ShiftKey and OnShift, we are honored to support the professionals who make these experiences possible. We understand that providing exceptional care requires not only dedication but also the right resources and flexibility. As we celebrate National Assisted Living Week, we remain committed to empowering caregivers and communities to continue inspiring generations with the compassionate care they provide every day — not just this week.
