The Fremont Senior Living Executive Director and Administrator Share How They Got Their Start in Senior Living

Kayla Moore, Executive Director

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

My journey in senior living started almost two years ago when I become the Business Office Director at The Township Senior Living. I had previously worked in non-profit and was looking for a change of scenery. My former position connected me with two people working for Arrow Senior Living. They always talked so highly about their positions and the company, so I applied, and the rest is history.

The connection to people is what keeps me in senior living. I really enjoy getting to know all the residents, employees, and their families. Arrow Senior Living feels like a family. At the end of the day we have each other’s backs.

I believe this industry is only going to become more competitive and more needed in the coming months and years. If someone is considering a career in senior living management, I would tell them no two days will ever be the same.

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.

Phyllis Wiley, Administrator/Preceptor

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

My first job was in college, in the billing department at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO, working mostly with senior adults. I found it so rewarding that my senior year, I accepted a position as Resident Services Director in a long-term care community. This unleashed a strong passion to assist seniors with dignity and quality of life, while participating in advanced research in Gerontology. Upon graduation, and as an Activity Consultant Certified (ACC), I pursued teaching in Continuing Professional Education at Missouri State University – live classroom, distant learning, and national certification courses for long term care, while serving as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. About six years later, Mercy planned to create a Center for Pain Management, where I was invited to lead the team into the development of a center with a headache clinic, multi-disciplinary chronic pain clinic – RNs, Health Psychologists and Physical Therapist, spine center, and a pain procedure clinic. Eight years later, my calling to senior management led me back, to the largest long term care organization in Missouri, administering the new hospice division and later, the skilled nursing, rehab, assisted living and independent living. In January 2019, I joined the Arrow Senior Living team!

The joy of learning the stories and journey of the residents we serve is what keeps me in senior living. My diverse senior management background allows me to assist with resources and problem solving, as questions or issues arise. The pure joy of following the life experiences, continue to make me a stronger person. There has been so much respect and admiration for so many that I have had the pleasure to work with. Promoting staff learning and development is another rewarding area in working in senior living. So many employees start with a job and develop and grow into a rewarding career. It is an honor to play a small part in it.

The main reason I stay with Arrow Senior Living is certainly because of the core values. The entire organization lives by them. It is not to say it is perfect, but most importantly, is the transparency along the way. Opportunity for every level to provide feedback is given. It is so impressive to see growth and development of staff; a server or care partner can grow into regional leadership roles. Seeing staff input allowed to accomplish tasks and processes more efficiently or effectively and seeing that input incorporated into practice, is inspiring.

The need for the senior industry is growing as the senior population grows. The future culture must meet the demands of quality and efficiency. Embracing technology for improved processes will be important to meet that demand.

Advice given to someone considering a career in senior living management would include making decisions that lead with what is in the best interest of the resident. When empathy and passion for seniors drive decision-making, that resident-centered focus will allow the business part to grow.

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.