Kelly Chiat is the current Active Living Director at Jefferson House, and before that, the Life Enrichment Director at Ciel of Issaquah. Not only has she been instrumental in helping ConChord organize concerts for these two venues, she’s also shown an incredible commitment to the seniors she works with and is always ready to greet us with donuts and a smile. I recently interviewed Kelly on the connection between mental health and senior homes to get an insider’s perspective on this topic.
1. Both Ciel of Issaquah and Jefferson House are memory care centers focused on helping people with dementia. What do you find to be the hardest part of working with seniors who are experiencing memory loss?
One of the hardest parts of working with seniors experiencing memory loss is that every resident is different, and you constantly have to adjust your approach based on where they are cognitively and emotionally. Because dementia changes the brain over time, certain communication styles or techniques may work really well one day and not work at all the next. As the disease progresses, you often have to pivot and learn new ways to connect, redirect, and support each person individually.
Supporting families through those changes can also be difficult. Watching a loved one decline is emotional, and families are often navigating grief, stress, and uncertainty while trying to understand the disease process.
Patience is another big factor in memory care. There are times when you are repeating yourself many times throughout the day or helping residents through the same confusion repeatedly, but that is simply part of the job. It requires empathy, flexibility, and understanding that the resident is not intentionally being difficult — they are experiencing changes in their brain that are outside of their control.
2. Do you feel your own mental health (or that of other employees) has been affected at all due to the challenges presented?
Personally, I find that my own mental health has remained mostly unaffected because I’ve learned how important it is to separate work from home life and focus on the positive moments with residents. However, I have seen how this work can emotionally affect other employees, especially those who have family members experiencing dementia themselves.
For some staff, it can be difficult and even scary to witness the same changes in residents that they are beginning to see in their own loved ones. It can make the disease feel much more personal and bring up fears about what is to come for their family members.
Another difficult part can be losing residents that you have worked closely with for many years. In memory care, staff often build strong relationships with residents and their families, so when someone passes away, it can feel very personal. Even though loss is a natural part of the field, it can still be emotionally challenging.
3. Do you find that Ciel or Jefferson House are lacking in any resources or training that would help seniors’ needs be more effectively addressed?
One area where I think there could always be improvement is staff training related to patience, communication, and dementia-specific care techniques. Working with seniors who have dementia requires a very different communication style, and without proper training, staff can sometimes unintentionally create more confusion or frustration for residents.
Even simple daily tasks, like helping someone take a shower, get dressed, or transition to meals, can become very challenging if the caregiver does not know how to approach the situation calmly and effectively. Dementia care often requires redirection, reassurance, flexibility, and understanding how to communicate in a way that reduces fear or agitation for the resident.
I think ongoing dementia education and hands-on training are extremely important because they directly affect residents’ quality of care and overall wellbeing.
4. Do you have any personal anecdotes to share about seniors you’ve worked with? Most rewarding or difficult moments?
One thing I see often with new residents moving into memory care is that many of them are unhappy at first and want to go home. The transition can be very emotional and confusing for them. One of the most rewarding parts of working in Activities is watching that change over time. When staff consistently make an effort to include residents, encourage participation, and create opportunities for fun and connection, many residents slowly become more comfortable and excited to engage. Eventually, they begin recognizing staff, looking forward to activities, and becoming genuinely happy to be there.
I’ve also learned that many residents simply want to feel useful and have a sense of purpose. Even something small, like helping pass out meals or assisting with an activity, can bring them a lot of joy and help them feel included and valued.
On a more individual level, one of my favorite programs we do is weekly scenic drives. Residents absolutely love getting out of the building and seeing familiar places, nature, and the community around them. Every time we return, the residents clap and thank us because they are so appreciative of the experience. It’s a simple activity, but it brings them so much happiness and reminds me how meaningful even small moments can be in memory care.
5. How have you seen music (live concerts, background music, seniors playing the piano, therapy, etc.) help increase wellbeing at senior homes?
Music has an incredibly positive impact in memory care and senior living communities. Residents absolutely love live performances and music programs, and they consistently thank both the performers and the staff who organize them. Music brings excitement, comfort, and connection into the community in a way that very few other activities can.
One of the most amazing things about music is its ability to evoke memories that residents may not otherwise be able to access. Even residents with advanced dementia often respond emotionally or physically to familiar songs. I’ve seen residents sing along to lyrics they seemingly did not remember, smile when hearing music from their younger years, or become calmer and more engaged during performances.
One powerful example was when we played music from Swan Lake for a resident who had been a ballerina. Even though she struggled with memory loss, you could immediately see the muscle memory and emotion come back through her movements and posture as she responded to the music. Moments like that show how deeply music is connected to memory and identity. It is truly a powerful tool in dementia care.