Executive Director
Avista Senior Living is pleased to announce Kemish Hendershot as the new executive director of the Spring Gardens Draper senior living community. The community was previously under different ownership and known as Harmony Hills.
As executive director of Spring Gardens Senior Living in Draper, Kemish Hendershot believes in developing relationships. He says the best part about working in senior living is making a difference in someone’s life. “We can affect the world in our own backyard in a day-to-day way,” Hendershot said. “Caregivers have a unique opportunity to change the world around them.”
As Hendershot takes the reins, he says that developing relationships is the most important thing he wants to bring to the community.
“I can speak from experience what it means to have a good caregiver,” he said. “It’s important for me that all of our caregivers have that vision.”
In 2009, Hendershot suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to walk or write. After extensive therapy and the help of excellent health care providers, Hendershot made a full recovery. His experience changed the course of his life. Inspired by the caregivers who helped him, he pivoted his career to healthcare.
Using his experience in IT and business management, Hendershot started working in skilled nursing. He says the best part about working in senior living is making a difference in someone’s life.
“We can affect the world in our own backyard in a day-to-day way,” Hendershot said. “Caregivers have a unique opportunity to change the world around them.”
Prior to working at Spring Gardens, Hendershot worked in senior care in Anchorage, Alaska, and helped expand the community. He says the key to building strong senior care communities is developing people.
“My personal goal is to improve the lives of all those we work with–residents, their families, all our staff members,” says Hendershot. “My hope is to connect people, influence each other and raise everyone up.”
Hendershot says his litmus test for hiring depends on a person’s character. When hiring new employees for Spring Gardens Draper, he wants to know they have integrity and that they’re going to work hard.
“Ultimately the question I ask is: Would I want this person to take care of my grandma?” he says.
He says that assisted living provides a unique opportunity to touch lives and also learn life lessons from the residents. He said he’s seen the difference it makes when residents and caregivers come together to help build meaning and purpose.
“Everyone needs to feel like they’re contributing to the world around them,” Hendershot said. “Everyone wants to feel like they’re doing something for someone.”
Hendershot says a big part of helping residents find their purpose is making sure people in the neighborhood get involved.
“One thing I really want to look at is how to connect with our residents on an individual level and get them to open up?” Hendershot said. “We can learn so many lessons from our seniors.”
After living in Alaska, Hendershot says he’s excited to be in Utah and near family again. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and four children. He loves mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing and hiking.
