Meet Krista Burke, Community Relations Concierge at Kaplan Estates

As Community Relations Concierge, Krista Burke is constantly meeting and talking to new people. It is a role she loves, but one that she never envisioned in her younger days. As Krista explains, “When I was growing up, I was rather shy and had a lot of anxiety when I met people for the first time. Now, I can honestly say that meeting new residents is the best part of my job!”

Born and raised in Lynn, Krista and her husband Patrick moved to Swampscott 22 years ago. The couple have four beautiful children, ranging in age from 17 to 28, and two adorable Bedlington Terriers.

Making the move-in experience as seamless as possible for new residents is important to Krista. It takes a lot of teamwork to make it happen. “Every department has a role to play, and I enjoy being the point person for families to answer questions and get through any hurdles that may come up. Moving to an assisted living community is a major life change, and some families may be struggling with feelings of sadness or loss. The Kaplan teams are here to support them. Residents and families take a huge leap of faith when they choose Kaplan Estates, so it’s important to recognize when they are overwhelmed, and work to build relationships and foster connections.”

Krista is constantly searching for ways to improve the move-in experience. “Based upon feedback from residents and their families, one thing we can do is to make sure we are all communicating clearly with residents and families and be sure that we are meeting their needs. Often, a new resident will be hesitant about asking for help for fear of coming across as too demanding. Sometimes they will opt to stay in their rooms because they simply don’t know what to expect or how to get around. To address this, Krista makes sure to stop in frequently to talk with new residents, taking the time to really get to know them. She makes sure to introduce them to other staff members and residents and can often be found strolling around campus with them, as they learn to navigate their new surroundings.

“As they begin to settle in, we will continue to encourage residents to take advantage of all of the wonderful activities that are offered, come to the cafe or simply sit outside and enjoy our community spaces. One of the most rewarding things about my role is watching new friendships grow as connections are made with others. When I bring a new resident to an activity and introduce them to the Residence Life staff, I know that they are on their way to finding happiness here. With time, hopefully they will begin to feel more at home.” Added Krista, “Sometimes it can take a week, or even a month or two, but we will keep showing up for them. I know we are making a difference.”

When asked about her most memorable resident, Krista was quick to respond. “Roberta was a very special person. She was a dance instructor when she was younger. She was only here for about six months but she made a huge impact on me. What a beautiful dancer, and she loved music. Whenever I had the closing shift before dinner, I would put on her favorite songs, turn up the volume and Roberta would dance up a storm. She even taught me a few moves!

In her spare time, Krista enjoys spending time with her family and exploring with her dogs. She recently joined the YMCA; the aqua trampoline and aqua spin classes in the pool are among her favorite activities.

It is obvious that Krista likes being active, which is fortunate because her role at the assisted living keeps her busy all day long. Krista points out that her job at Kaplan doesn’t seem like work to her. “I truly enjoy being here every single day. Additionally, the encouragement and mentoring I have received from the team is remarkable. I don’t think this is typical of most work environments. Kaplan Estates is a very special place!”