What does a career in resident relations really look like? This story from Atria Darien follows Resident Relations Director Catie Bardsley as she helps celebrate a resident’s 105th birthday and shows how care and purpose show up.
At Atria communities, celebrating life’s milestones is part of the work. It shows the attention and purpose behind how team members support residents and their families. That commitment was on full display at Atria Darien when Tillie, a beloved resident, celebrated her 105th birthday.
Behind the celebration was Catie Bardsley, Resident Relations Director at Atria Darien. Her role focuses on helping residents through a big life change and making sure they feel at home the second they arrive. For Catie, honoring Tillie’s milestone showed what makes a career in senior living rewarding.
“As Resident Relations Director, I oversee the entire resident experience, from move-in through day-to-day life in the community,” Catie explains. “That includes helping residents feel engaged, supported and cared for – not just physically but emotionally too.”
In practice, that means:
- Getting to know residents before move-in through interviews and discovery forms
- Helping ease the emotional change from home to community living
- Coordinating personal welcome experiences and introductions
- Supporting residents and families as needs change over time
Tillie’s story
Tillie’s life stretches across continents and generations, spanning more than a century. “I was born in Italy,” she recalls. “I was almost 9 years old when my parents moved us to San Francisco to be close to my dad’s relatives.”
In California, Tillie built a full life that included a career as an insurance underwriter, a marriage at 18 and raising three children. Later, she moved east to stay close to her family. “I moved to Port Chester, New York, to be near my children. Eventually, I moved here to Atria Darien.”
Since becoming an Atria resident, Tillie has found community in simple, day-to-day moments. “My friends and I go to happy hour every day,” she says. “We talk, have some laughs and stay until after dinner. Then we all say good night.”
For Catie, those routines say a lot about what really matters. “Tillie has an incredible wit and so much heartfelt wisdom,” she says. “Everyone knows her. She’s a bit of an icon here.”
After more than a century of life, Tillie’s advice is refreshingly straightforward. “Just behave yourself and be good,” she says. “Don’t overdo anything and eat a banana a day.”
Going above and beyond for resident experiences
When Tillie’s 105th birthday approached, Catie knew it deserved more than a simple mention. Planning the celebration meant thinking carefully about what would feel most meaningful to Tillie.
“We decorated the community and brought in a local musician,” Catie says. “I asked him to perform songs by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett – some of Tillie’s favorites.”
Catie also invited Tillie’s family and reached out to the media so the milestone could be shared beyond the community. “There were a lot of moving parts,” she says. “But the goal was simple: to make sure Tillie felt how special she is.”
For Tillie, the day delivered. “The musician was very good,” she says. “It was wonderful!”
Moments like this show how resident relations work brings together planning, empathy and personal connection. “This role is very hands-on,” Catie explains. “It’s about understanding each resident as an individual and creating experiences that feel personal, not routine.”
A company culture shaped by care
Celebrations like Tillie’s aren’t one-time events. They come from a culture that puts residents first across every role in the community.
That culture shows up in everyday details, like:
- Personalized move-in experiences that reflect each resident’s interests
- Resident Ambassador programs that help newcomers build connections quickly
- Close collaboration between resident relations, culinary and engagement teams
- Ongoing support for residents and families during major life transitions
“All the teams here are committed to positive resident experiences,” Catie says. “From frontline team members to leadership, everyone genuinely wants residents to feel happy, healthy and included.”
That culture is what drew Catie to Atria. Before joining the team full-time, she worked in the community as a third-party psychotherapist. “I met a group of professionals who cared deeply about the people they served,” she says. “That made me want to be part of this work in a bigger way.”
With a background in social work, Catie brings an added layer of support to residents and families. “Moving into a senior living community is a big emotional transition,” she explains. “My role allows me to support residents and families through that process while helping them build a sense of belonging.”
Purpose-driven work that makes a difference
Tillie’s birthday celebration shows what a career in senior living can offer: daily opportunities to build relationships, support others and create moments that matter.
“People working in these communities truly love what they do,” Catie says. “You feel that every day. It’s what makes this work so rewarding.”
At Atria, careers in resident relations and beyond offer the chance to make a real impact – not just during big milestones but in the everyday connections that make a community feel like home. Explore career opportunities with Atria and discover work driven by purpose, care and human connection.