After graduating from college, Olivia Esmond found herself helping to care for her grandmother. This was the experience that revealed her deep passion for working with older adults. Now, as the Independent Living Community Navigator at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne senior living community, that passion has become a fulfilling career.
“I realized this was it. It fills my cup,” says Esmond, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management from Indiana University Bloomington in 2021.
While her degree may not seem like a traditional route into senior living, Esmond says it has been the perfect foundation for her role, which she began in June 2025. “My degree aligns with a lot of what I do. I create events for the clubhouse, plan outings, and serve as a point of contact for anything residents of our independent living villas need.”
Esmond supports the 85 residents who live in the community’s 56 independent living villas on the beautiful campus. Heritage Pointe also offers assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
Before stepping into the concierge role, Esmond worked in the memory care neighborhood, planning activities and engaging with residents. That experience only deepened her dedication to building a career in senior living.
In her current role, she keeps both her calendar and the residents’ full of engaging opportunities. On-site events at the clubhouse have included first aid training, health-focused workshops and presentations on fall and fire prevention hosted by the Fort Wayne Fire Department. These events typically draw between 25 and 30 attendees.
She also organizes a variety of off-site excursions, including evenings with dinner and live music at Fort Wayne Electric Works, trips to Parkview Field to watch the Fort Wayne TinCaps play, craft fairs, and performances by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
Esmond even handles transportation for these outings, driving the community’s 14-passenger van. “The bus is usually pretty full,” she says. “The residents really appreciate not having to worry about driving or parking.”
Whether the event is on campus or around town, Esmond focuses on tailoring experiences to residents’ interests. “A lot of residents give me suggestions, which helps me come up with ideas,” she says.
One of her favorite parts of the job is seeing residents form new friendships. “It’s wonderful to see them meet neighbors and build relationships. It feels good when I see them getting together later to do something on their own.”
In addition to events, Esmond also helps residents with everyday requests, often related to phones, printers, computers or other devices. She’s always happy to lend a hand. “They’re so appreciative.
For Esmond, the heart of her role lies in the relationships she’s building. “The residents are so warm and welcoming,” she says. “It feels like I have 85 grandparents.”
“The residents like her so much, she’s very friendly and helpful. In this role, Olivia is helping fulfill Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne’s dedication to providing a holistic approach to enhancing all dimensions of wellness including intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and health services,” said Rod Craft, executive director.
