Bethany Mercer on Making Senior Living a Place to Thrive

What happens when senior living shifts its focus from providing care to helping people live well? Bethany Mercer, Director of Operations at North Hill, shares how its Purposeful Living program brings wellness to life through lifelong learning, creative exploration, competitive sports, and resident leadership. She also discusses building a team that supports innovation, how residents are experimenting with AI, and why partnerships can expand what a community offers.

Takeaways

  • Senior living’s shift toward wellness and vitality creates opportunities for residents to pursue new interests and begin new chapters.
  • North Hill’s Purposeful Living program connects eight dimensions of wellness through experiences ranging from college-level courses to storytelling, art, and competitive swimming.
  • Residents shape the community’s culture, with 15 resident committees helping turn shared interests into opportunities for participation and connection.
  • Giving teams autonomy and access to leadership helps them explore ideas and put innovative programs into practice.
  • North Hill’s healthcare team earned a deficiency-free state survey, reflecting its commitment to meeting rigorous care standards.
  • Residents are actively exploring AI, contrary to commonly held beliefs.
  • AI can support research, organization, and daily workflows when its use is guided by appropriate privacy protections and policies.
  • Senior living offers career opportunities across healthcare and hospitality, while partnerships help communities expand their offerings without building every program from scratch.

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