The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2023 www.ohca.com 6 FEATURE THE RESILIENCE AND IMPACT OF WOMEN IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES By Catherine Van, Oregon Health Care Association In an increasingly aging society, long term care settings have become crucial support systems for the senior population, providing them with the care, attention, and companionship they need in their golden years. Sara Silva is the president of Arete Living. Looking behind the scenes of these settings, it is clear that women play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of the residents. This article shares the stories, challenges, and triumphs of some of the women who dedicate their lives to working in long term care. For some people, working in long term care started as a part time job, for others, it’s a calling. Sara Silva’s first experience with the long term care sector was in high school when she was 17 years old. Her school had a program that let students go through a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program for high school credit. Once they turned 18, they could test to receive their CNA certificate. A preceptorship in nursing health in skilled nursing was part of the program. A career unbeknownst to Silva at the time became her lifelong passion, and she has never turned away from it. Over the course of 20 years working in the long term care sector, Silva has steadily climbed the professional ladder. Her journey began as a CNA, and from there, she assumed various roles, including caregiver, medical technician (med. tech.), resident care coordinator, business office manager, memory care administrator, executive director, regional director, and now, the president at Arete Living. She has taken on key leadership roles within the National Center of Assisted Living (NCAL), where she serves as the secretary/treasurer on the board of directors and chairs the NCAL Quality Committee. She also actively participates in numerous committees at both state and national levels, having previously served as the NCAL State Leader for Oregon and earned recognition as a 2015 AHCA/NCAL Future Leader. This year, she was selected as an honoree of the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award. This award recognizes individuals who have moved the senior care profession forward, positively affecting the lives of those served and those who serve. She was honored at the 2023 AHCA/NCAL Convention and Expo in Denver in October. Even through all her achievements, Silva says the biggest barrier throughout her journey was herself. “I joke that I’ve done every job that an introvert can do,” she said. “It never would have crossed my mind to even consider the administrative path or executive director path until I had somebody say ‘Hey, consider this job to grow into,’ and that’s that. My motivation was
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