Dedication to Seniors with Dementia Captures Honor for Brookdale Associate

St. Petersburg Woman Receives Argentum Hero Award; Dining Services a Best of the Best Winner

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May 12, 2016, 08:00 ET

DENVER, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookdale associate Elizabeth Buchinski has been named a 2016 Hero Award winner and the company's dining services team won a 2016 Best of the Best Award this week at Argentum's annual conference.

Argentum Hero Award

Brookdale associate Elizabeth Buchinski is recognized as an Argentum 2016 Hero Award winner.

Buchinski was honored for exemplifying the excellence, caring and dedication of those serving residents in the senior living field.

"I'm grateful to be recognized for the work that I and thousands of other Brookdale associates do every day because we love our residents," Buchinski said of the recognition. "While this award is a personal accomplishment for me, it really reflects the community where I work every day and our company as a whole."

Hero Award winners are determined through a voting process that involves the public. Each year, senior living company leaders and executive directors of senior living communities nominate associates who are mission-driven and represent the high standards residents and families expect when choosing care. Argentum selects a group of top nominees and the public votes to determine five winners.

Brookdale Bay Pines executive director Trudy Beeler said she nominated Buchinski because in serving residents with dementia, she looks beyond the label of disease. Buchinksi devotes significant effort to researching their life stories and she tailors activities, programs and outings to the individual.

"Her approach honors who the person was before the onset of the disease and who they still are," said Beeler. "This work, along with her positive and vibrant manner, engages the residents and helps them live to their optimum capacity."

Buchinski became the face of Brookdale during an emotional on-camera testimony about her love of caring for seniors living with dementia that aired on national commercials and drew positive audience response. Click here to view Argentum's video about Buchinski.

Argentum 2016 Best of the Best Winner

Argentum also honored Brookdale for achievement in workforce development, which is one of the industry organization's five areas of focus. Brookdale's Culinary Arts Roadshow captured a 2016 Best of the Best Award for effectiveness in recognizing dining services associates, advancing their skills and knowledge, and sharing best practices. Through the roadshow program, Brookdale holds a series of regional cooking competitions and demonstrations featuring chefs at its communities and showcasing the quality of their cuisine to the public.

About Brookdale

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide high quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently Brookdale operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with approximately 1,121 communities in 47 states and the ability to serve approximately 108,000 residents. Through its ancillary services programs, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health, personalized living and hospice services.

Contact: Kristin Puckett, 615-564-8666, [email protected]

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SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living