Our mission to enrich seniors’ lives is much more than a job for these Brookdale associates. It’s a connection to honor loved ones or a continuation of a calling that began earlier in life. In the video below, hear from three of our Brookdale associates about the personal reasons they chose a career serving seniors.

For the first time in months, residents at Brookdale Oswego Springs were reunited. In January, a tree fell through an apartment. It triggered the sprinkler system, which caused damage to a lot of the building. Thirty residents were forced out of their homes. Now, they're back together. “We're so glad to have it over with and to have them back home,” said Connie Guardino, who lives in the building. “We hope this never happens again."

In her free time, Jean Koppernalle knits scarves for soldiers. She's made over 500 of them for Operation Gratitude, a non-profit that sends care packages to troops. "It makes me feel like I'm worthwhile," Jean says. "Keeping me busy, and probably more alert."

Interior designer Stephanie Acevedo is featured in Brookdale's "Make it Mine" series. You can watch Make it Mine episodes on YouTube @BrookdaleLiving.

On Memorial Day, our nation pauses to remember the men and women who gave their lives serving our country. We honor their memory, their sacrifice, and their loved ones, many of whom live or work in a Brookdale community. Brookdale Senior Living is proud to remember and honor those who fell, and we are grateful for their sacrifice in service to our country and our community.

At 103-years-old, Faye Colyer has plenty of spirit. "I'm glad I'm 83!" She teased when she entered the dining area. And her secret to such a long life? "Stay away from the doctor's office!" she said with a big smile. "That's all I know."

Brookdale has a new community in Vestal, NY. It's called Brookdale Castle Gardens, a re-branding of a community that's served seniors for over 30 years. Jay Smith, a DDO at Brookdale, came to Castle Gardens to share in the celebration. ”We fully believe in enhancing the lives of those we serve, so we are really proud of the robust programming we bring to the community."

Residents at Brookdale Summer Ridge got to dress up and dance for a prom, complete with a DJ, professional photographer, classic cars, and, of course, the crowning of a prom king and queen.

Several of Gloria Holtschneider's family members joined her for a Mother's Day brunch. She has six kids, and many grandkids and great-grandkids. "I love them all,” Gloria says. Here's her advice for mothers: “Smile and enjoy the moment."

Naomi Peters knows something about being a mother. She has three children, a step-child, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. And during her career, she helped found and grow the child welfare department in North Chicago. So what's her advice for young mothers? “Love that baby every moment you can because they’re only small once.”

At Brookdale Round Rock, Elizabeth Morris has plenty of advice. After her husband died, she raised her three sons, working hard to make sure they had everything they needed: "I went to [the] Dunaway School of Accounting...then I was an office manager...I worked for several big construction companies."

Harrisburg resident Elvira "Mickey" Hudson knows what it's like to have a big family. With four children, nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, Mickey says the most important thing to do is to make time for your loved ones. “Stay healthy…be happy...and certainly love your family,” she says.

Over the years, Marie Palladino says she learned to love cooking. To her, the process of putting breakfast, lunch and dinner together is rewarding. As each meal came together, she’d pass along recipes and cooking techniques to her family.

Esther VanWart has eight kids, all in different stages of life. “My oldest is 50 and my youngest is 23,” she says. And raising them hasn't always been easy. Esther divorced when she had six children, and had to work three jobs. “Having to support them by myself was very difficult.”

For the first time, Brookdale Chanate celebrated a resident's 107th birthday. World War II veteran Bob Aumiller is pretty quiet, but he did let his grandson sing his praises. “I think for me it’s more about how he chose to live his life with his kids and his family and the people around him,” he says.