Kelly Shoemaker
Kelly Shoemaker, Regional Director of Sales and Business Development
Placing People First
Kelly Shoemaker has a unique way of describing her successful career that began in early education: “I bookended life,” she says. “Years ago, I helped parents of young children, managing all of the emotions that came with placing their child, and now I help adult children, managing all of the emotions that come with placing their parent.”
Today, Kelly is Regional Director of Sales and Business Development at Brandywine by Monarch. She is responsible for mentoring and supporting sales directors at Brandywine locations throughout New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, as they work with families considering Brandywine for their parents’ next home.
“Typically, after just a few months, family members are amazed at how much their loved one is flourishing in a community compared to living at home.”
“Our work is focused on building relationships. We become a confidant to the adult child and hope they feel comfortable talking with us. One of our main functions is listening. When we truly listen, we’ll hear what they’re looking for in this transition, so we can provide the tools to guide them,” Kelly explains.
“At Brandywine, we’re a people-first organization. We put our residents and their family members first, which is especially important during this time of their lives,” she says. “When family members come in to tour our facilities, they want to know what kind of lifestyle we can provide, and what care we can provide, for their loved one.”
“We want to simplify a resident’s life and take out the stressors that come with living in their own homes. We also provide a wide array of social activities where they can connect with others, because that is one thing that becomes very difficult in their homes – feeling isolated.”
In addition to social activities, residents receive an immersive dining experience, with three balanced meals each day, and can enjoy organized outings that keep them connected to the surrounding area.
“From a care standpoint,” Kelly says, “our residents range from completely independent to relying on us for all their activities of daily living, whether that is bathing, toileting or dressing. We also provide physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy on site, so we can help improve and foster their independence.”
Kelly also stresses a unique – and important – difference at Brandywine. Each location has a nurse on site 24 hours a day, who will manage residents’ medications. “This is one huge differentiator for us,” she says.
Many family members also ask about costs and are usually pleased to hear Medicaid is accepted at Brandywine’s NJ locations.
“I often say that a new resident may think they’re going to move into our community and we’re going to tell them what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. But that’s not our model at all,” Kelly says. “We want to foster their independence and be there to support them as needed.”
“We know it’s a heavy lift to move a loved one into a community, and we try to simplify all those tasks because it’s emotional and stressful,” Kelly adds. “Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible. Typically, after just a few months, family members are amazed at how much their loved one is flourishing in a community compared to living at home.”
And what is the one thing family members say after moving a loved one into Brandywine? Kelly is quick to repeat the common phrase: “I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner.”
