Jessica Gennow
Corporate Clinical Director
A little about your job…
I have the privilege to work with all the home care staff to ensure training, compliance, and quality are met. My job allows me to visit each site and work one on one with the resident assistants, nurses, and all members of our SilverCrest team.
What sparked your desire to work with seniors?
I started working with seniors while going to nursing school. I loved hearing all of their stories when I would provide care and during those times I realized that as a caregiver we had a chance to make a positive impact on every person’s day whether it was the resident or the family. I think that daily opportunity to make a difference is what has sparked my desire and what continues to drive me.
What are the most important qualities or factors someone should look for when searching for an assisted living community to provide care for themselves or someone they love?
The factors that I believe to be important are; trained staff that are happily engaged with the residents, exceptional customer service, and communication that flows easily between the resident, family and facility.
What special training/education do you have that helps you in your current role?
I think some of the most important unofficial training I have received has to be watching both of grandmothers have Alzheimer’s disease. I was able to see how that disease progressed from the family side long before realizing nursing was my passion. That education alone taught me a lot about how to communicate and care for those with memory loss but also how to help other families going through it. While on a waiting list to get into a nursing program I went and got my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Biology minor and as soon as I graduated I went right into the nursing program to get my Registered Nursing license.
What is the best part of your workday?
The best part of my workday is when I get to see the staff and residents. When I get a chance to make them smile or help solve a problem that makes my day.
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
I had a couple that were moving from AZ to MN. They were planning to arrive on a Friday but due to an issue they were delayed and would not be coming until Sat. They had called and said the moving truck was also delayed and none of their furniture would be arriving for another week. They asked if we had sleeping bags or anything they could use just to get by. That day we took a couple hospital beds we had in storage, end tables from random places in the facility, a dining room table and chairs, bedding, TV, shower curtain, towels, even a coffee maker and got the room set up as best we could. That next Monday when I got to work I went to introduce myself in person as we had only talked via phone. They were so thankful and gave me the biggest hugs. We still keep in touch today and they still talk about how much they appreciated the unexpected help.
What makes SilverCrest communities stand out from the competition?
SilverCrest communities truly care about their residents and staff. It is not just a mission statement that only corporate executives know. It is an intrinsic drive through each site and each staff member to do the best we can for our customers. There are times we make mistakes because we are humans caring for other humans, but what sets us apart is we own it and will correct it. Other companies I have been with rarely take ownership of their weaknesses whereas we work hard to constantly be improving.
More About Jessica…
Favorite Movie?
The Notebook
Favorite Book?
The Secret Garden
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Green Bay Packers
Favorite bands?
Anything old country (Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Alabama)
Top travel destination on your list?
Iceland or Ireland
Do you have any pets?
7 cats, 3 dogs, 3 rabbits, 15 chickens and goldfish
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
To slow or add time, I feel like as a working mom sometimes time just flies by. I wish I could do all the things I need to get done in a day and then have more hours to just enjoy the kids, travel and play.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I enjoy riding dirtbikes