Meet Carrie Hayes, Resident Care Director at Avita of Newburyport, whose nearly 40-year nursing career has been dedicated to caring for older adults. Carrie began working in senior care at just 16 years old as a nursing assistant and quickly discovered a passion for connecting with seniors through their stories, experiences, and wisdom. She is committed to building meaningful relationships with residents and families, advocating for their needs, and ensuring each person is treated with love, compassion, dignity, and respect. Carrie believes great leadership starts with empathy and takes pride in supporting both residents and team members. For Carrie, Avita of Newburyport is more than a workplace; it is family. She is proud to be part of a community that honors each resident’s unique life story and helps them feel safe, valued, and at home while living well and loving life.
Resident Care Director Spotlight – Carrie Hayes
Resident Care Director: Carrie Hayes
Community: Avita of Newburyport
How long have you been working in Senior Living and what first made you interested in the field?
I have worked in senior care since I was 16 years old, beginning as a nursing assistant in local nursing homes before certification was required. When nursing assistants needed to become certified, I was grandfathered in. My interest in senior care started at a young age. I was always drawn to elder’s stories, wisdom, and life experiences. It made me so happy to help maintain their dignity, comfort, and quality of life. I remember enjoying looking at old photo albums and watching their expressions as they shared their life memories.
What is your favorite part about working in Senior Living?
My favorite part of working in senior living is building relationships with my residents and their families. I enjoy learning about their lives, the families they created, the jobs they had and places they traveled. I love being part of their story now.
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about being a Resident Care Director?
Being a Resident Care Director isn’t always fun while dealing with state regulations, audits and survey’s along with staffing schedules but at the end of the day, it is an amazing feeling knowing that you made a difference in not only our residents life, but supported their families during on the hardest times in their lives. I also enjoy mentoring and supporting our staff, it is very rewarding to watch team members grow in their careers and develop confidence in their skills. Two of my girls started here with me when they were 16 years old and new CNA’s both stayed with me throughout the years and one is now an RN moving forward to obtaining her NP very soon. The other is an LPN working toward her RN. To see them come full circle at Avita has been so amazing.
What is one piece of advice you would share with someone thinking of starting a career in Senior Living?
My advice would be to lead with your heart; leadership starts with compassion. Support your team, advocate fiercely for your residents, and remember to always be part of the team you have created in that you should always be willing to roll up your sleeves and jump in. Regulations, paperwork, staffing challenges can all be taught but empathy, integrity, and genuine passion for caring for others is what makes a great RCD. Also in this very busy position, it is important to take care of yourself as well. Work – life balance is very important.
What is the best part about working at Avita of Newburyport or at Northbridge?
Avita of Newburyport is my whole heart. After all these years, it’s not just where I work, It’s my second home and it’s my family.
The residents, families, and team members have become part of my extended family and I truly love them. The relationships I have, make coming to work meaningful every day. Being part of a team that genuinely cares for our residents and each other is something very special. I have been a nurse for 38 years and have worn many hats, but Avita of Newburyport owns my heart and always will.
What is one thing you want families to know as they’re moving their loved one in?
I want families to know that we will treat their loved one with love, compassion, dignity, and respect. That we will partner together to ensure the very best care for their loved one. We see the person behind the diagnosis and will always honor their life story . We will do all things necessary to ensure they feel safe, valued, and at home.