Career Blog

Business Office Director: Alissa Castro

Community: Avita of Stroudwater

How long have you been working in senior living and what first made you interested in the field?

I’ve been working in senior living for about 13 years now. It all started when I took a CNA class in high school, and I instantly fell in love with caring for seniors. I spent seven years as a CNA, which allowed me to really appreciate how important quality care is. From there, I went on to hold several different roles within senior living, including scheduling, human resources, and accounts receivable. Each position gave me the opportunity to learn a different side of senior living and helped prepare me for my transition into the business office in 2021.In 2023, I joined the Northbridge team at Avita of Stroudwater, where I’m continuing to grow in my role while staying connected to the residents and their families.

What is your favorite part about working in senior living?

What I love most about working in senior living are the relationships I get to form with our residents and their families. In memory care, those connections feel even more special. I appreciate being a familiar face and source of support for families as they go through their loved one’s journey. Even though I’m now in the business office, the residents and their families are still central to what I do, and being able to positively impact their experience is what makes this job so fulfilling.

What is one thing you wish everyone new about being a Business Office Director?

One thing I wish everyone knew about being a Business Office Director is just how many hats we wear! While people may think of the role as primarily billing, payroll, or paperwork, it is so much more than that. On any given day, I may be helping a resident or family, supporting an associate, working through a payroll or benefits question, assisting with a new hire, planning a community event, or jumping in wherever I am needed. No two days are ever the same! I love that the BOD role allows me to be involved in so many different parts of the community and to support our residents, families, and associates in so many ways.

What is one piece of advice you would share with someone thinking of starting a career in senior living? 

My advice would be to come into senior living with an open heart and be willing to learn. There are so many different career paths and opportunities to grow within this field, I started as a CNA and never imagined that 13 years later I would be a Business Office Director! Senior living can be challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding.

What is the best part about working at Avita of Stroudwater or at Northbridge?

The best part about working at Avita of Stroudwater and Northbridge is the people I get to work with every day. I am incredibly grateful for our team, from our directors and associates in the community to the support we receive from our Home Office team. There is a genuine passion for senior living throughout Northbridge, and it is inspiring to work with people who care so deeply about our residents, families, and one another. I love being part of a team that works hard, supports each other, celebrates together, and is always willing to step in when needed.

What is your favorite way to connect with residents?

My favorite way to connect with residents is simply spending time with them and finding those little moments throughout the day to stop, talk, and really get to know them. Working in memory care has taught me that connection doesn’t always have to come from a big activity or conversation, sometimes it’s sharing a cup of coffee, listening to a favorite story, looking at family photos, or just sitting together for a few minutes. Those small, meaningful moments are some of my favorite parts of working in senior living.