Presbyterian Senior Living | Team Members
At Presbyterian Senior Living, our team members are the backbone of our communities, bringing warmth, expertise, and dedication to residents every day. This month, we're shining the spotlight on Liz Jensen, Independent Living Manager at Kirkland Village, whose 18-year journey with PSL exemplifies the organization's commitment to resident-centered care and community building.
A Lifelong Passion for Senior Living
For Liz, working with older adults has been a lifelong calling. "When I was a very young girl, I knew from the beginning I wanted to work with older adults," she shares. "One of my first jobs was a bed maker at a nursing home. I tell people I've come a long way from 16 and am still in a nursing home all these years later."
After earning her sociology degree with a gerontology certificate, Liz pursued a master's in social work and has spent her entire career working with seniors across various settings—from home health care to county aging services, hospital discharge planning, and finally, senior living communities.
Evolution of a Meaningful Career
Liz's journey at PSL began as a personal care home administrator, a role she held for about ten years. Initially focused solely on personal care, her responsibilities expanded to include managing independent living as well. "It was crazy," she laughs, reflecting on the demanding dual role she maintained for approximately seven years.
When Kirkland Village expanded with the addition of Northward Gardens terrace homes, the influx of new residents justified her transition to focusing exclusively on independent living. This change allowed her to concentrate on what she loves most: "I got to do all the great things I love—work with residents and families, and not so much worry about hiring, firing, and the daily grind of scheduling."
"Keeper of the Residents"
Today, Liz describes her role as being the "keeper of the residents." She explains, "Marketing works with the residents when they're coming in, and I now actually play some role with marketing as well. But what happens is marketing does all their legwork, works with them for years or however long it takes to get them in, and then the minute they get here, they come to me, and then I'm their go-to person for the remainder of their stay in our life plan community."
Her responsibilities include serving as a problem solver, advocate, and support person for residents throughout their journey at Kirkland Village. She participates in resident council meetings, runs monthly town hall meetings, and coordinates the continuing care interdisciplinary team meetings.
One of her favorite aspects of the job is conducting annual wellness visits. "I visit every single resident in their apartment once a year," she explains. "It's just a neat opportunity to see people in their home and catch up."
Creating Community Connections
What truly sets Kirkland Village apart, according to Liz, is the sense of community. "I'm Kirkland's biggest cheerleader," she states proudly. "Right now, you can't beat our culture. We have an amazing executive director who has brought this team together."
Liz enthusiastically shares stories of community-building activities that bring residents and staff together, from scarecrow-building contests to hobby shows and community picnics. One particularly meaningful initiative involved staff and residents intentionally connecting with people they didn't know well: "The caveat was that anybody could go, but a resident had to invite a staff person they didn't know, and a staff person had to invite a resident they didn't know. It was so awesome."
For Liz, these connections became even more personal when her own mother lived at Kirkland Village for 16 years, experiencing the full continuum of care from independent living through personal care and finally the health center. When her mother passed away, Liz received 15-20 cards from residents, demonstrating the deep bonds formed in the community.
Advice for Those Entering Senior Living
When asked what advice she would give to someone starting in senior living, Liz doesn't hesitate: "You don't do it unless you love it. It's too sad. It's too hard."
She emphasizes the meaningful purpose behind the work: "We know people come to Kirkland; this is their final stop. And so our goal is to make their life as purposeful and as happy and as meaningful as we can to make their last years on this earth what they should be."
The rewards of the work, she notes, come in the small daily moments—when someone says, "Thank you so much for taking the time to hear me," or when family members express gratitude for her support through the years.
The PSL Difference
After 18 years with the organization, Liz values PSL's generous benefits, particularly the annual leave that accrues with longevity and the flexibility to work from home when needed. She's participated in PSL's talent management program, a two-year initiative that demonstrated to her that "even older girls like me can still learn new stuff."
Most importantly, she appreciates the supportive culture fostered by both her immediate team and senior leadership. "It's not common anymore, unfortunately," she reflects on her job satisfaction. "I don't know as many people who can say they really love what they do."
For residents and team members alike, Liz Jensen embodies the heart of Presbyterian Senior Living—committed to creating meaningful experiences and fostering a supportive community where everyone feels heard, valued, and connected.