Livia's Parent Corner

Raising a Family in Avamere

Livia Thompson, Senior Life Enrichment Director, Avamere at Bethany

Introducing Livia’s Parent Corner! This corner will highlight the kids of Arete Living employees and residents. This section is named after Livia Thompson, Senior Life Enrichment Director with Avamere at Bethany, who initiated this idea.

In honor of Livia, our first Livia’s Parent Corner features her and her three daughters.

It has been my great pleasure to have worked at Avamere for the last 16 years. I have recently been reflecting on the powerful impact it has had on my children being raised alongside my career journey.

My daughters were 9, 4, and almost 3 when I started working NOC shift as a caregiver and med aide. It was a sacrifice for them at times during those first three years as I was gone at night and tired during the day, but with their support and love (my husband too!) we powered through it, and I was asked if I would like to apply as the administrative assistant. It was at this time that my daughters all started volunteering at our community events with me. They loved coming to Bethany to see the residents and have fun whether it was the Easter Egg Hunt, Mother’s Day Brunch, Father’s Day BBQ, or our Safe Trick or Treat.

They have helped stuff eggs, stuff pumpkin baskets for Halloween, clean up after the BBQs, decorate, and entertain our precious residents. They particularly liked creating gift bags filled with candy every year for the residents’ holiday surprise.

As they have grown, they have developed great compassion and empathy for the challenges of getting older. I believe they possess patience and an appreciation for senior well-being and care by being in this environment during pivotal years. They all assisted in the care of their grandparents when their health was declining a few years ago.

My oldest two daughters, Serena (26) and Kendra (20), have both worked for Avamere at Bethany as adults. Serena worked with our dietary staff for over a year and developed skills that prepared her for a management position with a retail chain. Kendra started working during the beginning of the pandemic as one of our universal workers and was then promoted to administrative assistant. She also developed skills that contributed to her Medical Secretary position currently with Northwest Urology.

My youngest Maya just graduated this last year and is looking forward to volunteering again now that we can have visitors back. I think one of the COVID-19 heartbreaks for me during the last two years was not being able to have any of my family in the building unless they were employed. Our residents missed them as well. Along with the many kids that routinely volunteered for us and participated in crafts, reading, and lunch with our residents. It gave me a very clear picture of how they might be feeling without being able to have their families visit. We are resuming that momentum now and I am so excited for what is to come.

I am passionate in the belief that our younger generations have so much to learn from our elders. When they spend quality time with senior citizens, they gain a reverence for them. Our children will be leaders, voters, and employees that will shape the future of senior care, government support, and perception of age.

My hope is that behind (and alongside) every Avamere employee there is a family supporting their endeavors, hard work, huge hearts, and sometimes long hours.

Blessed to have a family in Avamere.