Vice President of Resident Programs & Memory Care at Commonwealth Senior Living
Paula Harder’s passion for senior living and dementia care began at an early age. At just 12 years old, she participated in an adopted grandparent program, where she formed a bond with a nursing home resident. By 16, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and started working in the same community. 39 years later, a senior living professional is still what Paula wants to be when she grows up.
Paula holds a master’s degree in Gerontology and is a Certified Activity Consultant through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT) through the National Council of Certified Dementia PractitionersToday, as the Vice President of Resident Programs & Memory Care at Commonwealth Senior Living, she serves as the company’s recreation and memory care subject matter expert.
A Commitment to Training and Excellence
Commonwealth Senior Living prioritizes training and support for its team members. “Working in memory care is one of the most challenging yet rewarding jobs,” Paula states. “Training individuals who are passionate and dedicated to doing it well is the best thing I can do for my residents.”
Since joining Commonwealth in 2015, Paula has been instrumental in expanding its dementia care training programs. She obtained her CDP certification in 2016, followed by her CADDCT certification soon after. She has trained department heads in 33 communities to mentor and coach caregivers. Since 2016, she has trained over 400 CDPs, with more than 190 actively working within Commonwealth today.
“This program has not only created career growth for our associates but has also equipped caregivers with the necessary hands-on skills and tools to provide exceptional care,” she says. “Being part of a national organization that lends credibility to our daily work is something I’m truly grateful for.”
Investing in Talent and Education
Commonwealth Senior Living identifies top talent—caregivers who have a natural affinity for memory care and a strong track record of carrying out CSLs Core Values while on the job —and offers them the opportunity to become CDP-certified. Once certified, many transition into mentorship and coaching roles. Additionally, sales directors receive dementia training so they can effectively communicate the nuances of memory loss and memory care to prospective families.
“We want our sales team to be more than just representatives of a lifestyle—they are articulate dementia experts,” Paula explains. “They present educational sessions with confidence, speaking from a foundation of knowledge as well as a compassionate sales perspective.”
Commonwealth also extends training to families, ensuring they have a solid understanding of dementia. “Every associate receives at least six hours of dementia training within their first 30 days, which includes a Virtual Dementia Tour (a program licensed by Second Wind Dreams). This foundation allows us to provide exceptional care and support,” Paula says.
Continuous Learning and Community Engagement
Recognizing that dementia care requires ongoing education, Commonwealth has implemented competency-based training to reinforce essential skills. “Training needs to be repeated frequently so it becomes second nature,” Paula explains. “We’re focusing on value-based training—if it holds personal value, caregivers are more likely to retain the information.”
Beyond internal training, Commonwealth is committed to fostering dementia-friendly communities. Each community offers Virtual Dementia Tours for residents, families, and local professionals, including first responders and local businesses—to enhance public awareness. The VDT Experience provided through Commonwealth Senior Living has been widely successful.
Each community also maintains a family support group and a memory loss education center stocked with resources on various types of dementia and what to expect. “Our Sweet Beginnings orientation program is another key initiative,” Paula adds. “Before a loved one moves in, we sit down with families to discuss memory loss—what it looks like, feels like, and how to navigate emotions like guilt and loss. We prepare them for the new journey so they can be confident in the care their loved one will receive in our Sweet Memories neighborhoods and less taken off guard by the unknowns of normal memory loss experiences.”
Language plays a crucial role in dementia care, and Commonwealth places emphasis on using dementia-friendly terminology. “Our words matter—not just for our residents but for our caregivers as well,” Paula says. “How we perceive our own roles influences the quality of care we provide.”
Building a Strong and Sustainable Workforce
Paula’s ultimate passion lies in workforce development. “I want to build a career path for caregivers—not just a steppingstone to another job. We want to create roles where people feel valued, fulfilled, and can earn a livable wage.”
Commonwealth Senior Living has been proactive in providing career growth opportunities across all departments. “Our goal is to foster diverse communities where departments collaborate and grow together, rather than operating in silos. This company truly supports in-person training and career development, which is crucial for long-term success.”
For more information on Commonwealth Senior Living, visit: https://www.commonwealthsl.com/
