What does Uncommon Hospitality look like at Holiday Niagara Village? It looks like a bus driver who shows up early every morning, not because he has to, but because residents look forward to seeing him. Mark’s story is a reminder that connection and care can come from anywhere in a senior living community.
When people think about senior living jobs, they usually think of nurses or caregivers. But some of the most lasting connections are made by people in entirely different roles.
At Holiday Niagara Village in Erie, PA, an Atria Senior Living community, bus driver Mark Bell has become an important part of residents’ daily life, not only through the rides he gives, but also through the time he spends with residents before his shift even starts.
He shows up early just to talk with residents. At first, it was just two people. Over time, that small group grew into a regular morning gathering that residents look forward to.
They count on seeing Mark. When he’s not there, they notice.
Across Atria Senior Living communities, moments like these show our Uncommon Hospitality. The idea is simple: Small, consistent gestures help residents feel known and appreciated.
Looking for work that feels more personal?
A lot of people looking for work want more than a paycheck. They want to feel appreciated. They want relationships with the people around them. They want to know their work matters to someone.
That’s part of what draws many people to work in senior living.
For Mark, the job has become about much more than transportation. Residents share stories from their lives, talk about their families and form real bonds with him through those daily exchanges.
According to General Manager Anela Feratovic, residents notice when Mark isn’t there and can’t wait for him to come back.
It’s the kind of connection that becomes part of daily life in senior living.
You don’t need a clinical role to make an impact
Some job seekers assume they need medical training to work in senior living. That isn’t always true.
Senior living communities rely on many different roles – transportation, dining, housekeeping, activities – and each one shapes how residents experience living there.
Outside of driving, Mark hosts craft sessions in the library and creates wooden pieces residents can paint and display. Those activities give residents another way to spend time together and be creative.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have someone who cares so much about our residents’ health and happiness,” Anela says.
That kind of attention and dedication is exactly why Mark was recognized for Uncommon Hospitality at Holiday Niagara Village.
Why employees stay in senior living careers
Recently, Mark planned to retire. Instead, he decided to stay.
For Anela, that decision says a lot about the relationships Mark has built with residents.
“He deserves this recognition,” she says. “Residents truly count on him, and we’re so fortunate he chose to stay with us.”
Explore careers at Atria
For Mark, the most important part of the job isn’t just driving residents from place to place. It’s the relationships he builds along the way.
If you’re looking for work where connection and kindness matter, senior living could be a good fit.
Explore careers at Atria and see open positions near you.