A week before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world as we know it, Celia Naples and her family were moving their mother into a Brookdale memory care community. What could have been a stressful situation was mitigated due to the kindness and compassion of Brookdale associates, who helped both Celia and her mother navigate the tough times. In fact, Shewanesh Gebrewahid, Clare Bridge® Program Coordinator at Brookdale Lake Highlands in Dallas, helped ensure Celia and her mother stayed in touch. “The staff here was just amazing through that whole process,” Celia said. “We did a lot of FaceTime. Shewanesh is what got me through COVID with my mom being here.”

Shewanesh has devoted more than 15 years to Brookdale and remains committed to making sure each resident’s day is a quality day. Her passion and purpose help carry out Brookdale’s mission of building trust and providing excellent care for residents. “I love my residents,” she said. “We are here for them. To connect with them, to talk to them, to listen to them, it just makes me happy.” After witnessing Shewanesh’s engagement with residents — including her own mother — Celia and her family credit the team at Brookdale Lake Highlands for making a significant, positive difference in their lives after entering the new reality of their mother’s dementia. Even though her mother couldn’t verbalize anymore, Celia said that observing her with Brookdale’s caregivers showed their devotion to interacting with her in a way that made her comfortable. During her mother’s stay, Celia depended on Shewanesh and trusted her. “You can’t ask for more than that,” she said.

As the nation’s premier operator of senior living communities, Brookdale Senior Living and its associates are committed to providing quality care to seniors and helping them live their best lives. BvB Dallas aligns closely with our mission of enriching the lives of the seniors and families we serve with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity. And like Brookdale, BvB Dallas encourages and helps provide young professionals with opportunities to reach across generational lines and assist those living in advanced stages of dementia. Our Alzheimer’s and dementia care program, Clare Bridge, provides a community of hope for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia through person-centered, innovative care based on the latest scientific research. At Brookdale, we strive to provide a sense of belonging, purpose and fulfillment for each and every resident in a caring and comfortable environment that feels like home.