While visiting Village Senaha — an assisted-living community in Okinawa with a dementia focus — Amber witnessed something extraordinary: people from multiple countries, speaking different languages, connecting through presence alone.

In this heartfelt episode of For the Floor, Amber reflects on what happens when words fall away and only care remains. From gentle gestures to calm approach, she explores how body language, tone, and energy can become our most powerful communication tools in dementia care.

She also shares the transformation she saw in a group of young volunteers — how one afternoon in senior living changed their entire perception of aging, purpose, and joy.

💜 Key themes:

Connection beyond language in dementia care

The power of body language and approach

Modeling calm, heart-first communication

Changing perceptions of what senior living truly is

Because sometimes, the most meaningful conversations happen without words at all.       Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs             

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

During her travels through Okinawa, Japan — one of the world’s Blue Zones — Amber discovered something that forever changed the way she views aging and care.
Here, elders aren’t hidden or hurried. They’re honored. Celebrated. Treasured.

In this heartfelt episode of For the Floor, Amber reflects on what it means to see aging not as decline, but as accumulation — of wisdom, stories, and strength. She shares memories from her homestay in Okinawa, where elders gathered daily on a simple bench to visit and laugh, and where photos of ancestors filled every wall in quiet reverence.

You’ll walk away inspired to see aging through a new lens — and to bring that same spirit of respect and wonder to the residents and team members in your own community.

Key themes:

Why elders are considered “treasure” in Okinawa

How cultural reverence for aging changes community life

Simple ways to honor wisdom and longevity in senior living

A mindset shift from labels to legacies


Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

In this episode of For the Floor, we explore one of the core themes at the heart of meaningful care: personhood.

Together, we’ll talk about what personhood really means, why it matters, and how we can go beyond surface facts to truly know the people we serve. You’ll learn practical ways to deepen connection — from using the 3–2–1 Practice to sharing what you learn with your team — turning individual insight into community culture.

Because in senior living, every story matters. And when we honor the whole human, we transform our work from routine to relationship.             Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

In this episode of For the Floor, we explore what it really means to live out the human side of care — those small, in-between moments that turn tasks into connection and honor each person’s personhood. From nursing to dining to housekeeping, every role has the power to bring dignity and joy through simple practices like pausing at a doorway, making eye contact, or taking a breath to reset. Join me as we reflect on why these moments matter for both residents and care teams, and how they fill our cups with meaning along the way. 

Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

Every movement has a “why.” In this very first episode, host Amber Rae takes you back to the moment hers began — with her grandma’s move into long-term care.

From her early days as a CNA to years in leadership, Amber shares the moments that taught her what truly matters: connection, dignity, and the everyday impact of direct care teams.

This episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and remember why the work you do matters — and to join a community built to nourish you as you keep showing up with love. 

Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.