Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

In this episode of Tips From Trestle, host Aaron Fish sits down at the Georgia Senior Living Association Conference with senior living expert Jocelyn Schrader to unpack how activity programs can directly drive occupancy and revenue. They explore why a strategic activity calendar is one of the most powerful sales tools in assisted living and independent living, from scheduling tours around high-impact events to renaming generic programs so they resonate with prospects and families. Jocelyn shares how aligning sales, activities, and food & beverage in a “new triad” transforms the resident experience, boosts referrals, and turns residents into the community’s best ambassadors. Whether you lead sales, life enrichment, or dining, you will learn practical ways to differentiate your senior living community, improve tour conversions, and market events that truly stand out.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:eMenuChoice: https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenuWiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT444 #TipsFromTrestle #SeniorLiving #AssistedLiving #SeniorLivingMarketing #LifeEnrichment #ActivityDirector #SeniorLivingSales #ResidentExperience #SeniorCareLeadership #OccupancyGrowth #DiningAndHospitality #SeniorLivingEvents #TourToMoveIn #EngagedResidents #SeniorLivingPros

With the holidays upon us, Tips from Trestle explores the impacts of seasonal depression, caregiver burnout, and mental health in senior living with therapist and caregiver advocate Stephanie Muskat of Compassion in Caregiving. We explore how seasonal affective disorder impacts both family and professional caregivers supporting residents with dementia, chronic illness, and complex care needs. Stephanie shares practical strategies like SAD lamps, winter outdoor time, mindfulness body scans, and micro self-care moments caregivers can realistically fit into busy days. The conversation tackles emotional exhaustion, fight–flight–freeze responses, and how unresolved childhood patterns shape today’s coping skills. Senior living leaders also learn how simple acknowledgment, teamwork, and everyday check-ins create psychologically safe, resilient communities for caregivers and families.You can get more great insights from Stephanie on her podcast Caregiver’s Compass, available now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:eMenuChoice: https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenuWiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT443 #TipsFromTrestle #SeniorLiving #CaregiverSupport #SeasonalDepression #SADAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #DementiaCare #CaregiverBurnout #SeniorLivingLeaders #HospitalityMatters #MindfulCaregiving #CompassionInCaregiving #ResidentExperience #SeniorCareProfessionals #WellnessInSeniorLiving

In “Metrics With a Human Touch,” Tips from Trestle host Aaron Fish and ECP national sales consultant Loren Odom unpack how smart technology and meaningful data can transform senior living operations while keeping residents at the heart of every decision. They explore how eMAR, EHR, and digital workflows reduce documentation errors, protect licensure, and improve survey readiness, all while giving nurses and frontline teams precious time back for real connection and hospitality-driven care. The conversation dives into medication management metrics, move-in automation, and integrated reporting that support value-based care, better staffing decisions, and stronger stories for owners and investors. Senior living leaders will learn how to turn metrics into actionable insights without losing the warm, high-touch resident experience that defines great communities.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:eMenuChoice: https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenuWiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT442 #TipsFromTrestle #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #SeniorLivingTech #SeniorLivingMarketing #SeniorCareInnovation #LongTermCare #AssistedLiving #ResidentExperience #HospitalityInCare #CulinaryExcellence #HealthcareTech #DigitalTransformation #ValueBasedCare #AgeTech

In this holiday week re-release, we look back at Aaron's conversation with Christie Freeze from the ALAA Spring Conference. They discuss how video is transforming the senior living industry and explore the power of authentic video in building trust, boosting occupancy, and nurturing resident loyalty. Christie shares actionable strategies for senior living operators, from using evergreen and personalized videos to reduce no-shows and foster community, to engaging staff and residents in content creation. Learn how simple, unscripted videos can create psychological proximity, enhance the resident experience, and turn leads into lifelong ambassadors. Whether you’re a sales director, chef, or activities coordinator, this episode reveals how video can elevate your senior living community’s hospitality and care.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:eMenuChoice: https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenuWiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT417 #seniorliving #seniorcare #assistedliving #eldercare #customerloyalty #community #hospitality #elevatetheexperience #caregiver #family #wellness #dementia #videoengagement #authenticity #residentexperience

Discover what placement consultants really see during senior living tours in this revealing conversation with Jenny Skis, founder of Premier Senior Solutions. With 25+ years of healthcare expertise, Jenny exposes critical dining red flags that operators miss—from wrinkled linens to empty dining rooms at mealtime. Learn why authentic resident experiences outperform polished brochures, how storytelling builds trust with families, and which culture elements create lasting connections. Jenny shares insider placement strategies, explains why older communities often outperform new construction, and reveals the power of personalized touches. This episode is essential listening for senior living operators, food service directors, and hospitality teams seeking to improve occupancy through genuine resident-centered dining experiences that families can feel during tours.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:eMenuChoice: https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenuWiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT440 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingDining #SeniorCarePlacement #AssistedLivingTips #HealthcareDining #ResidentExperience #SeniorLivingCulture #FoodServiceManagement #SeniorCareConsultant #ElderCareAdvice #MemoryCareDining #SeniorLivingMarketing #AgingInPlace #SeniorLivingCommunity