Whether it’s a concert, magic show or invited speaker, there’s never a dull moment at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne senior living community, and that’s just the way Amber Hadley likes it.
Hadley is activity director at the community that provides independent living, assisted living, memory care, short term rehab and skilled nursing.
Hadley, who was promoted to the activity director role in December, was already well familiar with Heritage Pointe where she was in the role of memory care coordinator.
Leading to her current post, Hadley has worked for 12 years in senior living, earning job experience and steadily accumulating the professional certifications that help her do her job better— no matter what role she performs.
She is a certified nursing assistant, a qualified medical assistant, a certified medical assistant, and a social service designee, which allows her to help out with discharge plans and care plans.
“I have a heart to serve,” says Hadley about why she chose to pursue a career in senior living.
Helping out her grandmother who suffered from dementia gave her a perspective that enhances her role.
“When it’s your family member, it gives you a different perspective,” she says. “It puts you in another person’s shoes.”
In her new post, Hadley takes pride in creating a wealth of fun and engaging activities for residents.
“I bring in different artists and performers and vendors,” she says. As an example of the types of events residents enjoy, she noted that a popular singer/guitarist/harmonica player performed, a magician entertained and there was an appearance by Indiana Wild, which brings in animals.
To promote the residents’ creativity, Amber has recently introduced soap making. “We do this by melting soap down to liquid and adding colors, flower petals and essential oils for scent. We just did this for Nurses’ Week and the residents loved being able to create soaps to give as gifts to our amazing nurses,” she said. Other art and crafts projects include sand art and painting.
Hadley makes sure that residents have ways to celebrate major holidays while also honoring some of the fun National Days. On National Pancake Day, especially those that include food. For instance, residents enjoyed pancakes for breakfast on National Pancake Day, and slices of carrot cake on National Carrot Day.
Knowing that the residents also enjoy food preparation, Hadley recruited Chelsie, who works as a qualified medication aide at Heritage Pointe. “She is an excellent baker, and she wanted to offer a cooking class for the residents. Each month she spends a bit of her time to come in and teach us how to make her famous mint chocolate cookies, banana bread, or chocolate cherry cakes! The residents enjoy this, and also enjoy Chelsie’s company,” Hadley said.
Hadley enjoys hearing from residents about the programs –what they like and what they don’t.
“They aren’t afraid to give me feedback,” she says. “And I want their feedback.”
For Hadley, the best part of her job is when everything goes off without a hitch and she seeing residents enjoying an activity.
“I love seeing it when everything comes together and goes smoothly and it’s successful and everyone’s having a good time,” she says.
