When Elle joined the community of Atria Summit Ridge about two years ago, she had never worked in senior living. But she knew one thing. She wanted to serve others.
“She told me when she was hired,” recalls Natasha Stieg, Executive Director at Summit Ridge, “‘I have the heart for this, and I want to show you.’”
As a member of the dining team, Elle has a way of making a meal feel personal. She takes time to get to know residents – their preferences, their personalities and the little details that make them feel at home – and brings that knowledge to the table in thoughtful ways.
For those who use wheelchairs or are shorter in stature, Elle kneels to take their order, meeting them eye to eye rather than hovering over them.
“Nobody had to teach her to do that,” Natasha says. “She instinctively knows how to make people feel comfortable and seen. That’s just who she is.”
Elle remembers who takes two sugars and two creams in their coffee. And when she overheard one resident mention how they wished the community had spumoni ice cream, Elle took the lead to bring the request to the chef. Now spumoni is on the menu.
But her hospitality doesn’t end when the meal does.
After dining, Elle might wheel a resident to the common room because she knows they enjoy working on puzzles there. Sometimes she’ll sit beside them and work on a few pieces herself. She’ll also help residents get their daily Engage Life® sheet from the front desk before heading back to the dining room.
“Elle is wonderful at what she does,” Natasha says. “But what really sets her apart is the way she connects with people.”
That same attentiveness comes into play when the dining room gets busy. If a resident’s meal needs to be prepared fresh, Elle knows how to keep them engaged while they wait, turning delays into an opportunity for conversation. She handles those moments with calm and good humor.
Her willingness to help extends to her teammates, too. When there’s an open shift, Elle is quick to volunteer. Natasha says she brings the same positive attitude whether she’s working her regular shift or filling in to help the team.
Perhaps most tellingly, Elle doesn’t reserve her warmth for a select few. She spreads it around.
“She doesn’t really have favorites,” Natasha says. “Everyone’s her favorite.”
For Natasha, that’s what makes Elle stand out: She notices people. She remembers them. And she looks for small ways to make their day a little easier, more comfortable or more enjoyable.
Sometimes Uncommon Hospitality looks like spumoni ice cream. Sometimes it looks like a few puzzle pieces after lunch. And sometimes, it’s simply taking the time to bend down, meet someone eye to eye and greet them with a big smile.