Like Mother, Like Daughter: Following Footsteps to Senior Living

When she thinks back on her childhood, Shawn Keiholtz fondly remembers her mother’s decades-long career as the activity director for a senior living community in Gettysburg, Pa. She remembers always wanting to help her mother out with resident field trips and fried chicken birthday dinners.  This love of serving seniors was nurtured in her childhood years and has carried her through her career. Now, as the resident program coordinator at Brookdale Hagerstown, Shawn is proud to continue her mother’s legacy as she cares for her own beloved set of residents.

“I learned from my mom her compassion, enthusiasm, and love of seniors,” said Shawn.

During her career, Shawn’s mother, JoAnn, oversaw all activities for seniors. It made an impression on Shawn how her mother always went above and beyond for the seniors in her community. She marveled at the way her mother gave special attention to seniors with no families, particularly during the holidays. 

“I believe this is where I got the love of helping others and love for seniors,” said Shawn.

Shawn began her own career in the senior living industry two decades ago as an activity assistant. Over the years, she has served in many different senior living roles and even ran her own senior caregiving service. After one of her clients transitioned from her home to Brookdale Senior Living, Shawn was impressed with Brookdale’s community and their levels of care. When the resident program coordinator position opened up, she immediately applied.

“This position at Brookdale fills my passions for seniors and fulfills me,” said Shawn.

One of the characteristics she shares with her mother is a love of dressing up. One year, her mom was the Stature of Liberty on a parade float, another year she and an assistant dressed up as skunks, and another time she wore a Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz costume.

“Mom loved dressing up for any and all occasions,” said Shawn. “I must admit that I love to dress up as well.”

If you factor in the time she spent around senior living as a child and the wonderful example her mother presented, one might say that Shawn was born to be in senior living.

“I’m very happy to have learned so much from my mom about caregiving,” said Shawn. “Because I then cared for her after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s until her passing.”

As she continues her career at Brookdale, the legacy of Shawn’s mother will live through her as she serves the current generation of seniors.