Environments for Aging - Summer 2019 - 32

ROSE M. SAENZ
Development director, Pi Architects (Austin, Texas)

ose M. Saenz began her career as a licensed vocational nurse, working with geriatric populations across
hospitals, home health, and other care environments. She
moved to Austin, Texas, in 1999 to join American Retirement
Corp. (ARC), now Brookdale Senior Living, in a marketing
role during the construction phase of a new assisted living/
memory care project. After the project opened, Saenz saw
the positive impact the community had on seniors and was
motivated to do more. Within a short time, she was promoted
to an executive director role, operating a community for more
than nine years. In 2012, she joined Silverado as administrator, where she supported
multiple start-up communities for the organization.
She collaborated with Pi Architects on the design and development of one of the
sites and was inspired by the passion of the firm's staff to create environments that are
functional but also promote the health and well-being of residents. In 2017, she was
invited to join Pi Architects and take a seat at the design table, and she did. Today,
Saenz helps the firm's clients understand how to best serve both residents and staff,
applying all the lessons she's learned over the years to the design process. Here, she
shares more about her journey.

Environments for Aging: What is your role as development director?
Rose M. Saenz: Deciding on a title was a fun exercise; given my background,
we weren't sure what to call my role. I define it as a supportive role. I support the
development process as a liaison between our team at Pi Architects and our clients.
I speak the operations and marketing language for senior living and place strong
value on a community's market presence. Many clients have it down and don't need
much of my support, so in those cases I bring market perspectives on the effect the
design can have on the sales process. For clients who invite me to share my experiences, I get tremendous joy in helping them to visualize opportunities and program
possibilities.

Why is it so critical for residents to
feel a sense of purpose and social
connection, and how can design
help support that initiative?
I witnessed how drastically residents
improved while living in communities; they
were no longer isolated or lonely, they had
better oversight on their care and improved
both mentally and physically. I recognized
the vital role the environment plays. Many
residents regained purpose and connection
after moving into a community, and it was
largely part of the homelike feel and use of
spaces. Proper programming of spaces can
organically motivate residents to engage and
connect. Add in staff engagement, which
results in caregivers accepting programs and
encouraging resident participation, and you
have a thriving program that attracts people
and results in a thriving community.

What's the key to layering operations onto design successfully?
Constant communication and lots of listening. I work to understand a client's overall
goal and at the same time balance it with
what residents and team members need to
flourish for years to come. When we work
in communities day in and day out, we can
sometimes develop tunnel vision. We're
constantly dealing with life issues, and to step
back and see the full operational impact many
times requires someone from the outside to
spark "what if?" conversations. I was guilty of
having that tunnel vision in the past. With this
role, I now can share my understanding of
operational challenges while also offering new
perspectives.

Baptist Community Services, Park Central Community Center, Amarillo, Texas

EFAmagazine.com * Summer 2019

My introduction into assisted living started with
a wellness foundation: ARC drilled into me
the value of balance in a person's well-being,
utilizing the dimensions of wellness. Activity
programs and daily routines in a senior living
community should center on these dimensions. Access to the outdoors, connection
with others in flexible spaces, and support
from others by easing access to residents are
just some examples where we can design
in opportunities for these dimensions to be
addressed routinely. We can all benefit from
placing time and attention on our wellness
balance.

You also strongly encourage clients
to consider wellness initiatives. Why
is this a mission of yours?

http://www.EFAmagazine.com

Environments for Aging - Summer 2019

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