OUR STORY

I started Encore Senior Advisors (ESA) with the confidence of fifteen years of experience as a licensed nursing home administrator opening and operating nursing homes and award-winning assisted living and memory care communities. I later became a preceptor and taught assisted living regulations and operations to future administrators. ESA is a new and different way of navigating senior living options; our ability to advocate for both our clients and our community partners allows us to serve as a true liaison.

The path that led me to this calling started over twenty years ago when my grandmother, the pillar of our family, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. It was devastating to witness her progressive decline, fading memories, forgotten recipes, and stories. With my mother leading the charge, family members, aunts, and uncles all stepped in to help as caregivers and coordinators. Every adult helper was part of the “sandwich generation” - those who are simultaneously caring for their children AND their parents - and spread themselves thin raising children and juggling family responsibilities while also building and maintaining careers to sustain the future. With no energy or patience to spare, discretionary projects, family gatherings, and vacations were often postponed or canceled, resulting in a decade spent sacrificing opportunities to create lasting positive memories. Inevitably, my grandmother’s needs exceeded what we were able to provide, and our beloved matriarch transitioned to a community where, despite her decline, she found comfort and happiness under excellent care. 

The profound struggle our family experienced altered my path, and I pursued a postgraduate degree that would enable me to help those with similar struggles. I became one of the youngest licensed nursing home administrators in Virginia and began a fifteen-year career operating senior living communities. I’ve had the privilege to serve hundreds of residents - grandmothers, grandfathers, and beloved family members. The resources I've cultivated with and for Encore Senior Advisors allow us to offer empathy, knowledge, and expertise to enlighten families and clients. Through our experience and credibility, we're able to create a deeper understanding of the expectations and abilities offered by each community, strengthening the foundation in support of stronger resident/facility relationships and a better overall experience.

Cenk Kalemdaroglu, MS, LNHA