Teal Lake Senior Living introduced Connor Salisbury, the new administrator, at its Sip n’ See Open House Aug. 8. At the open house, residents and their families were able to have refreshments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and meet with Salisbury. 

While Salisbury has degrees in healthcare management and business administration, his interest in helping the elderly population began with his grandmother, whom he cared for. “I would spend summers with my grandmother on the family farm kind of helping out and then being a part-time caretaker, almost, to her when she had a stroke,” said Salisbury. 

“So, helping her with certain things, and I know she really enjoyed me being there, and I, without realizing it, enjoyed it as much or more, and it kind of just brought us a lot of joy being able to connect in that way.” With her passing, Salisbury decided that he wanted that connection with the elderly population to continue.
Though Salisbury started at Teal Lake July 22 he has goals for this administration and is looking at some changes. “I don’t know that I’ve been here long enough to really make a solid decision on what needs to be changed. I know that there’s small things that can be improved upon,” said Salisbury.

Besides making some improvements, Salisbury’s goals include learning everyone’s names and changing the stigmas surrounding the elderly population and different forms of care homes.

“There’s this stigma of almost the elderly population being past their worth, in quote, if you want to say that, but I wholeheartedly disagree,” said Salisbury. “I think they’re worth so much more with all that information, the lifetime of living and memories, things they’ve learned that they can teach you.” 

For Salisbury, seniors realizing their need for help is not something to be looked down upon. “There’s a stigma about homes, that it’s some sort of bad thing that you only go there when you’ve almost lost the ability to do it on your own,” said Salisbury. “Being able to ask for help and need help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.” 

As for himself, Salisbury looks to continue helping the elderly population. “I look forward to a long career in a field that helps people like this.”