Left to right: Ruth White, resident and Jennifer Thilo, Executive Director of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett.

Director of Atlanta retirement community finds success in nurturing clients and staff

Article reprint from Senior Issues/Examiner.com

Jennifer Thilo is a woman with major responsibilities. As Executive Director for Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett, she oversees the successful operation of 125 independent living and 52 assisted living apartments, plus 67 nursing homeLawrenceville, GA. If a wall needs to be painted, she hears about it first. If the 150 employees she manages need more training, she makes it happen. If a fundraiser is coming up, she makes sure there are enough volunteers. But ask her to explain why she loves her job and she'll sum it up quickly. "It's the people."

While Thilo plans for survey inspections and renovations, it's her senior patients/clients and staff members that she's been truly passionate about at Delmar Gardens for the past 14 years. Currently working on leadership skills with her food staff this week, she explains, "it's not enough to have an open door policy. My dishwasher might need to meet with me. But if he's never seen me in the kitchen, it's going to be harder for him to stop by and see me in my office."

Thilo's appreciation for her fellow workers comes across further when she adds, "I have a fantastic staff. If I didn't show up, everything would run fine."

Demonstrating such humility, one wonders how Thilo became the head honcho at one of Atlanta's largest assisted living, independent living and retirement home communities. With a degree in English, Thilo was close to her grandparents growing up. Upon college graduation, she first went to work for a home care agency in Boston. There, her job was to place caregivers with clients in neighborhoods with different ethnic groups. "Matching caregivers who could speak the same language as their patients was a challenge," explains Thilo. It was at her next position working with seniors as an Activities Director, she truly found her calling.

To understand Thilo's dedication for caring for seniors is to see her interact with Delmar Garden's residents. While walking down its hallways, every person greets her with a smile and hello as she stops to chat or give them a hug. "I don't think of our residents as any age at all." Thilo stops to say hi to resident, Ruth White who warmly greets her in return. She then walks into the music room where Margie Swint, music therapist is singing to the residents while strumming her guitar. Thilo works the room, saying hello to each person and, obviously, making them feel special. Click here to read the rest of the story.