Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron is joined by Dr. Rodney Harrell, Vice President of Family, Home, and Community at AARP, to discuss the seven housing mega trends shaping the future of senior living. From demographic shifts and affordability challenges to the importance of community connections and local government collaboration, Dr. Harrell shares insights on creating inclusive, adaptable, and livable environments for aging populations. This thought-provoking conversation emphasizes the need for innovative solutions that address evolving resident needs while fostering engagement and accessibility within broader communities.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods
• ClarkPro

#TFT410 #SeniorLiving #AgingInPlace #LivableCommunities #AffordableHousing #HousingEquity #ConnectedCommunities #InclusiveDesign #CommunityConnections #FutureOfHousing #UrbanPlanning #SeniorWellness #IntergenerationalLiving #SmartCommunities

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron dials up Chris Heinz, President of Westport One, a leader in senior living executive recruitment. With over 27 years of experience, Chris shares invaluable insights on how senior living communities can streamline their hiring process to attract top leadership talent. They discuss the importance of balancing speed and thoroughness in interviews, why a structured hiring strategy is crucial, and how organizations can avoid losing top candidates due to slow decision-making. If you're looking to build a stronger leadership team while improving recruitment efficiency, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods
• ClarkPro

#TFT409 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #HiringExcellence #RecruitmentTips #LeadershipMatters #SpeedToHire #SeniorCareJobs #WorkforceDevelopment #InterviewTips #TalentAcquisition #HRTrends #ExecutiveRecruiting #AgingServices

Get ready to vibe out with Gary Solomonson, founder of Virtical Learning Systems, as he shares his far-out insights on creating a community experience in senior living that will definitely pass the “vibe” check. With over 45 years in the industry, Gary breaks down the magic of creating the right “Community Vibe” into his five key touchpoints. He shares a tale of transforming a potential client's visit into a memorable experience through community engagement and authenticity. Tune in for a conversation that's all about spreading good vibes and making senior living communities feel like home.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods
• ClarkPro

#TFT408 #SeniorLiving #CommunityExperience #PositiveVibesOnly #SeniorCare #SalesLeadership #HospitalityMatters #CultureDrivenSales #SeniorLivingCommunities #VibeCheck #ResidentEngagement #DiningExperience #SeniorLivingTips #CommunityFirst #VibeCheck #AgingInPlace

On this week’s Tips from Trestle, Aaron chats with Heather Burns, a seasoned resident engagement professional, to explore innovative strategies for enhancing senior living communities. Heather shares her resident-first philosophy, emphasizing holistic well-being that foster independence and purpose. She highlights the importance of bridging departmental silos, fostering teamwork, and training staff on empathy and compassion to elevate resident care. The discussion also unveils exciting initiatives in her role as the new Corporate Director of Resident Engagement for Trestle Hospitality Concepts - like a comprehensive engagement guidebook & tailored training programs to support activities directors in creating meaningful connections and thriving communities.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• ClarkPro
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT407 #SeniorLiving #ResidentEngagement #HolisticCare #MontessoriMethod #ElderCareInnovation #SeniorWellness #TeamworkInCare #CompassionateCare #ActivityDirectors #EmpathyInAction #CommunityConnections #SeniorLivingLeadership #SiloBuster #TrestleHospitality

This week’s episode of Tips from Trestle finds Aaron immersing himself into the world of Residential Assisted Living (RAL) with guest Isabelle Guarino, COO of the Residential Assisted Living Academy. Together, they explore how RAL homes offer a unique, personalized alternative to traditional senior living communities by blending residential comfort with professional care. Isabelle shares insights on staffing, creative resident engagement, and the financial models that make RAL a compelling choice for families and entrepreneurs alike. With the "silver tsunami" approaching, this episode sheds light on how RAL homes can address the growing demand for senior care.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice (https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenu)
• WiseOx (https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx)
• ClarkPro (https://bit.ly/ClarkPro_TFT)
• Ben E Keith Foods (https://bit.ly/TFT_BEK)

Social - RAL Academy

• TikTok: @ralacademy
• IG: @ralacademy
• X/Twitter: @ralacademy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/residential-assisted-living-academy/
• Website: www.ral101.com

#TFT406 #SeniorLivingInnovation #ResidentialAssistedLiving #SilverTsunami #CreativeCaregiving #SeniorCareRevolution #ResidentEngagement #PersonalizedSeniorCare #SmallHomeBigImpact #SeniorLivingTrends2025 #ElderCareSolutions #FoodServiceInSeniorLiving #CommunityCareMatters #InnovativeSeniorHousing #CompassionateCaregiving #FutureOfSeniorLiving

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron catches up with Sara Mitchell, co-founder and president of Solinity Marketing, to explore how food and hospitality can elevate senior living communities. Sara shares her unique journey from sports reporting to senior living marketing, emphasizing the power of storytelling in connecting with residents and families. They discuss leveraging culinary excellence as a key marketing strategy, the importance of authentic resident testimonials, and how everyday dining experiences can enhance community branding. Sara also provides practical tips for integrating food into social media campaigns and fostering collaboration between departments to create impactful narratives.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• ClarkPro
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT405 #SeniorLiving #CulinaryExcellence #FoodAndHospitality #Marketing #DiningExperience #Storytelling #ResidentVoices #CommunityConnections #FoodMemories #HospitalityMatters #Branding

This episode of Tips from Trestle features Corey Fein, a senior market strategist at Hireology, who shares actionable strategies for improving recruitment and retention in senior living communities. Corey emphasizes applicant-centric hiring practices, the importance of speed in recruitment, and diversifying applicant sources beyond job boards. He introduces the concept of a recruitment marketing funnel and highlights the role of employer branding in attracting top talent. Additionally, Corey discusses leveraging technology for onboarding and flexible scheduling while stressing the importance of career pathing to retain staff and foster growth within organizations.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• ClarkPro
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT404 #SeniorLiving #RecruitmentStrategies #EmployeeRetention #CareerGrowth #FlexibleWork #OnboardingSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment #HiringTrends2025 #CustomerExperience #TechInHospitality #HospitalityLeadership #DiningExperience #TalentAcquisition

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron reconnects with Paige Hoffman to explore the intersection of sustainability, culture, and innovation in senior living communities. Paige shares her unique five-pillar approach to sustainability, providing us with a more holistic approach to the concept. She emphasizes the importance of balancing immediate operational needs with long-term goals, fostering a strong culture, and adapting to generational shifts. The discussion also highlights strategies for employee retention, the thoughtful integration of technology, and the need for transparency and environmental stewardship to future-proof senior living communities.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

#TFT403 #SeniorLiving #SustainabilityInCare #FutureOfSeniorLiving #HolisticWellness #EmployeeRetentionMatters #GenerationalShift #ResidentExperience #TechInSeniorCare #CultureChangeLeadership #GreenCommunities #FoodServiceInnovation #SeniorCareSolutions #CommunityLongevity #AIInHospitality #MeaningfulLiving

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish explores the transformative power of purpose in senior living and hospitality with Gabrielle Bosche, co-CEO of The Purpose Company. Gabrielle shares her journey to becoming a leader in purpose discovery and explains how aligning personal and organizational purpose can drive culture, retention, and profitability. From defining purpose as “the best of what you have to help others” to distinguishing it from passion, Gabrielle offers actionable insights for leaders. The episode also highlights tools like the Purpose Factor Assessment to help individuals and teams unlock fulfillment and success.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

#TFT 402 #SeniorLiving #Leadership #PurposeDrivenWork #HospitalityInnovation #LeadershipWithPurpose #FulfillmentAtWork #CultureTransformation #PassionVsPurpose #EmployeeEngagement #CultureDriven #SeniorDining #PurposefulLeadership #WorkplaceMotivation #TeamBuildingSuccess #ResidentExperience

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish kicks off Season 4 with guest Carrie Alberts, aka the Dementia Darling. Fresh from CES 2025, Carrie shares insights on the scope of the conference and some of the groundbreaking age-tech innovations she saw in the AARP AgeTech Collaborative. They discuss how these tools are transforming senior living by enhancing resident experiences and supporting caregivers. The conversation highlights the importance of blending high-tech solutions with high-touch care to address challenges in senior living communities while improving quality of life for residents.