Meet Courtney
Executive Director
The executive director, along with our friendly and professional staff, strives to create positive, stimulating ways for residents to continue living life with meaning and purpose. We are a friendly family where we treat residents like real people with real-life stories.
Our community is a great story that includes heartwarming chapters and incredibly unique characters all in a wonderful setting. Here is the executive director’s story:
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
14 years
What do you like best about your job?
The team atmosphere with employees, the fact that everyday is different and that we are here to better peoples' lives.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I love spending time with my friends and family.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
My favorite movie is “His Girl Friday” with Cary Grant. I like the wit and banter between the characters.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
My favorite dessert is lemon squares because it reminds me of my great-grandmother.
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
I love hearing about their lives, as they have lived through so many changes in our country – ww2, depression, raised children during times when the medicines were not available that are now. They have learned how to live during hard times financially and emotionally. All of them have one thing in common – a strong faith and belief in family values. Life was so much more simple for them, it’s almost like I can live through them by hearing about their lives.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
Celebrating Alma’s 104th birthday with her and her family. She had raised 22 children, 18 of which she gave birth to. She was very upset when her family took her driver’s license away at age 99. She continued to crochet while she was with us and was famous for making hats and booties for newborn babies.
How do you honor your residents at your community?
Veteran’s programs, monthly birthday dinner, and similar type events.
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
Her name is Ann and she moved into the community the day after she lost her husband. Her family had incorrectly placed her in a nursing home. Her only relative was her brother-in-law who lived in New Hampshire. When Ann first moved into my community she did not like coming out of her apartment and did not converse with staff or residents. She has been in the community for three years, and it feels like she has always been there. I receive a card from her monthly. She is never in her apartment – you can never get her on the phone. She can be found in the common area playing Scrabble or Uno, making bracelets, or chatting up staff and residents. She greets all visitors with a flashy smile. She will volunteer to help at staff functions.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
Their dedication is very inspiring. I have many employees who have longevity here at Pocasset. My food service director has been here for 20 years, several nursing aides have been here 16-18 years, my receptionist 15, housekeeping supervisor 14, activity coordinator 14, and maintenance assistant 13 years. They all started in different positions and have moved up or into different departments over the years.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
We listen. We try to get to know each person on a personal level. We are able to ask if the dance recital went well or who won the little league game, see who is showing off the newest school picture.