caregiver

licensed practical nurse

cook

sales director

director of nursing

Sunrise Senior Living

Pros:
Working with seniors can be fun and/or rewarding
Gain healthcare experience
Relaxed dress code
Don’t have to pay for the Sunrise “uniform” (T-shirts)

Cons:
Being short of employees for a shift a lot
Low wage
Care managers do a lot of housekeeping, care for the residents, depending on the Sunrise the dishwashing, laundry and supposed to make real connections with residents
Stretching the wage by adding additional duties or residents beyond the ratios or duties quoted at the time of hire
Lead, LEM, Med Care positions are a trap. There are usually no on-call or extra people for these positions.
Many coordinators are unprofessional. Lack tact. Condescending to care managers.
Senior management has a "Do as I say not as I do" attitude
Assisted Living focused Sunrises neglect Reminiscence. They take an absurd amount of time to complete repairs. They do not have a nurse dedicated to the floor. If Assisted living is short, and Reminiscence is fully staffed for a shift, Reminiscence staff will be sent to Assisted Living to fill the gap.
Reminiscence food is usually subpar. The activities are boring and overly repetitive
Sunrise accepts and keep dangerous residents on Reminiscence putting staff and other residents at risk. Physical violence is acceptable behaviors by residents because despite the mantra money comes first.
Floor coordinators live in a bubble. They are way too far removed from the work, requirements, and expectations of working on the floor with residents. They don’t understand that simply adding a resident is no big deal, or adding more duties “should be fine.” If they ever did work the floor I think they would be completely lost. A neighborhood coordinator at my location does not know much about her staff or residents. The result is she makes poor promotion decisions, does not know enough about residents to prevent or help explain health issues to nursing before they become major issues.
It is usually safe to voice issues to management, but don’t expect action or sympathy. Case in point, The Voice was a corporate national initiative for the employees to complete a survey. The national results were to be summarized in August (they weren’t) and the specific results of each Sunrise were to be summarized in September (they weren’t). No changes noted.
Career advancement is up to the discretion of your neighborhood coordinator. The result is that career advancement can be blocked if your coordinator believes you are too valuable to let go
The open kitchen in Reminiscence is unsanitary (residents are free to walk through and open fridges etc) and unsafe (residents can gain access to cutlery, turn on ovens or put silverware in microwaves)
Too many meetings. Depending on your position there may be up to 3 meetings for an employee to attend. Town Halls are longer than necessary because coordinators insist on cutting up and making comments they intend to be funny. Town halls include time wasted on “fun” contests. Late night Town Hall is the most concise because coordinators want to go home. On call employees are expected to attend all these meetings, thus the reason there are very few on-call employees.
Salaried coordinators play fast and loose with their hours. Coming and leaving as they please making it difficult for families and employees to speak with them.

Senior Management:
Not having a nurse in the building for the whole 24 hour to cut cost is deplorable. To cut costs (Sunrise will tell you its so that it does not look institutional) it does not keep certified providers on staff, no dietitians, no physical therapists, and does not have a nurse present for the whole 24 hours. This is a mistake, it greatly extends the amount of time for a resident to be professionally evaluated. In Assisted Living focused Sunrises, the nurses are on the assisted living floor and grace the reminiscence floor with their presence 3-4 times a day. This is a gross misstep in care. The result of not having a nurse on the Reminiscence floor is that they do not know the residents well enough leading to delayed care or incorrect care.
Stop stretching the wage
Reduced hours, cut staff, and cut positions are not “Putting the residents first”
Offer more guidance to new coordinators

I loved my entire tenure at Sunrise. Mostly because some number of years have passed and I can, now - and with all of my heart, say that the year and half that I spent there would serve as the seeds and the roots for a kind of caregiving that I consider instrumental in each of our life paths. I feel very strongly about donating time to care for others and this was the single job that really moved me enough into position that I can't shut up about it today.

A single day at work would consist of everything from driving my residents to their medical appointments, serving food and washing dishes, massage and exercise class, volunteer coordination, activities assisting... and then these, in and of themselves, including moment to moment safety and attentive, heartfelt care strapping my lovely dumplings into position up and down lifts, across the premises, neatly into position for breakfast and lunch, and, of course, to their scheduled appointments.

Everything I learned here was valuable - not one particular job, but the entire list of responsibilities. If it isn't obvious why, then I'm not sure one has really taken care of someone to the full capacity of love! Because I think great care includes all of these jobs to great degree - energy-driving activities, smile-inducing care both physically and spiritually, healthy intake and outtake, of course, and someone not just reminding you of care - but someone driving that care and caring for that care, unbelievably. 

Perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned working at Sunrise was this - I learned that care evolves even when we've long left the premises and the job. In the last seven years of my life, I have discovered parts of me that will never ever leave me I am sure. I have found myself a teacher of care in each and every job that I have done - on and off the clock.

Today, I am a driver, and I have applied care of each of these kinds in my work. In fact, the care has opened my heart and my eyes so much so, that there have been countless instances where I have stopped my work and simply given the full power of me to the care at hand. A homeless person I am to pick up and deliver to home - instead re-routing to social services by my own choice to help with appointments. A clearly intoxicated mother and son (!!!) I was asked to drop off at a CVS - instead driving directly to Zuckerberg Hospital in the city to ensure their safety. Packages delivered lovingly in the rain in San Rafael with personal messages of kindness. So many wonderful opportunities for compassionate care.

Sunrise was the first movement of a series of movements in my life that I look forward to every day upon wake and deep into the night. I am so blessed to have worked here. Rather than look at the individual things (of which there are many), I have found my time at this Senior Living home to be more a whole and holistic experience.






I've been blessed with such amazing residents that I've grown to love like they were my own grandparents. I can't begin to explain the feeling you get from having taken care of some of these residents. It's a very fulfilling experience that I will forever be grateful for.

Sunrise senior living has the best values and team credo. Unfortunately, the upper management is horrible to its employees. The RC That I work for has the worst mood swings. One day she is laughing with you and joking around and the next day she is taking to you like you're a child and frankly very mean and short tempered. She often takes her frustration out on her lead care managers and care managers. She's a bully and even when you try to tell people above her how things are nothing happens. They take her side and basically dismiss anything you've said. They think you're the one with the problem.

They will work you like a dog and treat you like poo. If you're looking for a company that genuinely cares about its employees, do not work for this company. There are days when you work til 11pm and are scheduled to work the next day at 6:30am with less than 8 hours between shifts and no compensation for turn around shifts. If management doesn't like you, you might as well say goodbye to any kind of raise or promotion. If they like you, they will give you a lead position after 7 months of being there, even though they've told other people that they have to be a care manager for at least a year before being considered for a lead position. They give excuses and then contradict themselves without any thought. They pass well qualified people (who have worked there for years with a heart for residents) up for promotion and give it to someone who has been there less than a year. No explanation. It's not right. It's not okay to be treated like a lower class citizen by the people you work for.

The HR manager is very rude and condescending and not to mention patronising. She talks to you like you've got no common sense. She makes condescending comments when she sees you and laughs it of like she's joking.

The ED doesn't pay any attention to the care managers in reminiscence unless he needs something. He just lets the RC tell him everything that he needs to know when in reality if he was to see how the RC really is to the employees he would maybe think about fixing the problem. He's very dismissive of the things people have said about the current RC. He had no idea what is really going on with his employees not does he care.

I've had some of the best co workers and all in all, they and my residents have made my work life a blessing. But if it wasn't for the fact that I need my job, I would leave.

I feel like I was mislead about the opportunities and benefit that the job would provide. In all of the jobs I've had I've never been told that full time is 4 days, under 40 hours a week. I was really annoyed about that because that seems like something you would mention in the hiring process. Additionally, they say the pay is $12/hrs and your expecting a average range of money for your paycheck but they make sure they do not adjust your work hours for your lunch break. So you're "full time" working 4 days thinking at least you're going to get paid 8 hours a day but turns out it's only for 7 hours and 30 minutes. I thought that was odd and very upsetting because if I had known that I would have never worked there or at least I would have known what I was getting my self into. What's so hard about telling people about the different shift available

Moreover, I was pulled in by my interviewer about the positive work environment. To my surprise the atmosphere was very toxic. Now there were a few employees there who were very friendly, welcoming, and treat you like family, but there are some who rub you the wrong way. If you make a mistake some of your coworkers will immediately attack you and assume that you can't do your job. (We're all adults and should be given respect.) Help nor grace is extended from the people who do that. I've also noticed a lot of favoritism coming from my manager for specific employees who ride the clock and do absolutely nothing!  Furthermore the favoritism gives those employee a superiority complex and they start stepping outside of their role. 

There is a high expectation from our managers and are expected to met. However, when the same expectation is given towards the managers they are rarely being met. We work hard everyday and it's not appreciated. The managers have other employees who spy on others and report back to the beehive if you do something that they don't like. It could be something as simple as sitting down to rest your back from constantly having to bend over and lift residents. They will tell on you about doing the same thing that they do. It's very frustrating and I don't like being spied on. If you see that I'm doing something that might be wrong, just tell me, lets have a conversation about it amongst us. Why run to tattletell  instead of saying something directly to the offender.

Every job has there issues but why are job environments like this the norm now. So much "high school" drama! it's unreal. What's so wrong with wanting to be cherished by you bosses and desire to build comradery in the work place. 


When I started with Sunrise I was very excited about my new career and the possibilities that were offered to me. The first community I worked in had some management issues, and the team was controlling the ED, when regional came in they pretty much just said "figure it out yourselves" and left it at that.

I was offered to be transitioned to a different community with opportunity for advancement, which I gladly took. The team there was nice to your face, but everyone was out for themselves and in fear of the ED. This particular ED would talk down and at you with a smile on her face and treated you like a child.

Then COVID came and everything changed, not for the better. Regional began demanding more and more from the teams that had to keep working in the community, while they got to work from home and didn't step foot in a community for months! Team members were not given hazard pay, and communities were letting team members go at an alarming rate and then telling those that weren't fired that they had to do extra duties without extra pay. Once again, regional teams kept pushing more and more responsibilities on the team members and it was expected that they all do exactly was was ordered of them, but never showed their faces in the community to get their hands dirty and be part of the "all hands on deck" that they all praise themselves on.

COVID was stressful enough as it was but the environment that Sunrise cultivated during this time was not conducive to anyone's mental health, and burn out was happening with every team member that was still employed.

Lastly, we were told that anyone who was not in a sales position that took a potential family on a tour of the community and they decided to move in, that team member that did the tour would get $200 commission bonus. I was one of those people who gave a tour and the family moved in, but I never received that money. After calling Team Member Service Center no fewer than 4 times and being told that no one knows anything about that bonus incentive, and continuously told that someone would reach out to me, I just counted my losses and gave up.

To anyone thinking about working here, do not waste your time with this company, you are worth far more than they will ever offer you.

Before anyone from corporate tries to respond to this review, please know that I do not want to speak with you on any of these issues and you can keep the $200, the best part of working for you was being let go.

As a lead, I delegate the tasks we have through the day, giving some to my care managers and others to myself. I see that the needs of my residents and care managers are met and that all chores, activities, and appointments are being taken care of on time. We also get to engage in the activities with our residents. it is a great time to talk to my girls and get to know more about eachother, building trust and a friendship with the residents. After activities are done, we have social. We Serve them drinks and snacks. Then we get to watch the entertainment, of which I have been on occasion. Every week I get to sing for my residents and the really enjoy it. During social, we have time to check laundry and linens and any extra things that need to be done while the residents are being entertained. It is a time for me to prepare the kitchen for dinner, while the other care managers bring residents down for their meal. Another social oppurtunity for the residents as well as the care managers. We laugh with eachother, and listen to them talk with eachother. Even in this fast paced time during dinner, if you keep an ear out and listen to them talk to eachother you can learn a few things about your residents. I always keep an ear open to them even when they think i'm not listening. They gossip like little highschool girls. After dinner, I take my residents up to their rooms, while the care managers finish up in the dining room. We have a movie put on for a few of the residents as well as the moonlighters club, where the residents get together and gossip some more. The care managers put their residents to bed, while i take care of resetting the dining room, linens, and laundry. I am also available to them to help with other residents they cannot get to, and also for transfers and bathing. Some residents prefer a certain person to bathe them. After the residents are down and chores are done we crossover with the oncoming team.
I took this job as a stepping stone to something better, but this is that something better. I love what i do, I love my residents that i care for. It is mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. Still even through all that, it only takes one resident, just one, to make the whole day of what I go through worth it! I have learned a level of patience that is beyond most peoples understanding. The people, that do what i do are a special breed of people, and they are hard to find.

I have loved my time at Sunrise Senior Living. My coworkers and bosses are all very loving and dedicated employees and care very deeply for the well being of the residents we help take care of. Everyone is very invested in the well being of each individual on much more than a care level. We connect spiritually with them making the job very fun, but also some what intense. When something goes wrong everyone is very quick to find a solution. Sometimes there are losses, which comes with the territory, to which we all help each other grieve. The residents seem to enjoy where they are living and the company we provide. 

Typically I start my afternoons around 2pm and work until 10pm. In that time I will delegate chores to my co workers and begin getting residents ready for activities and eventually dinner. I help with all two person assists when available and manage my own hall. Toileting is very important and always happens before and after dinner. During dinner I help serve food and clean up afterwards. Dishes are cleaned on the floor by a designated care manager before they return to work. The residents often enjoy a movie before bed, which helps keep them occupied while we begin to take people one by one to their rooms for the evening. 

Some times I work overnight from 6pm-6am. On these shifts I assist with putting people to bed before mopping and sweeping the kitchen, finishing laundry, washing aprons, getting juice from the kitchen for the morning, clean the steam tables, cleaning and setting tables, and picking up the living areas. The at 12am, 2am, and 4am I do rounds where I go into every room and check every resident to make sure they are safe and have not wet the bed. If they have we the bed I change their underwear and bedding. 

The hardest part of this job is when someone dies. It is very easy to become emotionally attached and is healthy, I think, to do so. When they die how ever it can often be like losing a dear friend. Not only do you lose one dear friend, but often many during the year.

The second hardest part can be working when there is short staff. The staffing fluctuates a lot given that this job is made for a very particular person. So there may be months where you work many more than 40 hours a week in positions you may not be used to or as comfortable with. It all levels out eventually you just have to get through the wave.

Altogether I really love my job. The residents are great and the staff is highly trained and very sweet. Absolutely a great company to work for.

Life Enrichment Managers begin their day in the dining room helping to serve breakfast or spending time ensuring that all the ‘special touches’ are in place such as a resident’s favorite newspaper or making sure that a resident that loves music is seated where he or she can hear their favorite songs being played. Although there is a natural routine and an organized flow in the one-to-one and small group activities that Life Enrichment Managers carry out, no two days are ever alike. LEMs constantly prioritize according to the ever changing needs and preferences of the residents. For example, if a resident that is normally happy and engaged seems to be sad, withdrawn or angry, the LEM will first spend time with that resident to explore what the problem might be with the goal of eventually engaging her in a life skill or activity that brings her purpose and enjoyment. This proactive intervention can make all the difference in starting a resident’s day off on a happy note. The LEM might assist a few residents with life skills such as some light kitchen chores or napkin folding.


I learned a lot as a life enrichment manager. I learned patience, hard work, and empathy. I also learned a lot about Alzheimers and Dementia since I worked on the Reminiscence floor. I learned about the different types of diets:  Regular, Soft (a soft diet contains foods that are soft and easy to chew or swallow), Mechanical Soft (a mechanical soft diet may be prescribed for people who have difficulty chewing or swallowing), Puree (pureed foods have been ground, pressed or strained to a consistency of a soft, smooth, thick paste),
full Liquid (a full liquid diet is made up of foods that are liquid at room temperature), and Finger Foods (a finger food diet may be used for people who have trouble using silverware but wish to feed themselves and continue to eat the foods they love.)

The management at Sunrise is great. They hold monthly staff meetings and always have an organized schedule. 

The hardest part of being a Life Enrichment Manager is getting too emotionally attached to your residents. They become family to you and you learn to love them like they are your own grandparents. It gets hard when you see their health decline. 

The most enjoyable part of being a Life Enrichment Manager is doing one on one activities with residents. I enjoy spending time with my residents and learning new things about them every day.

I came into the company, essentially fast-tracked into the position of Maintenance Assistant because I happened to be acquainted with the department manager.  I was given many assurances, which turned out to be false, regarding how easy the job was to be, and how my limited knowledge of certain trades and systems was entirely adequate.  
Overall, the job wasn't initially that hard and I quickly excelled.  One certain sign of bad management, however, is when an employee is put on the defensive for exceeding expectations.  My immediate supervisor was constantly telling me not to do so much so quickly, that it was basically OK to slack off.  He didn't want me to make him look bad, I think, because on the other hand, he spent most of his time speaking with his family on his phone headset while going through the motions of taking care of paperwork.  I did 90 percent of the hands-on work, and only saw him outside the office or smoking area when I had questions about a job.  Before long, I was doing much of his job (keeping track of supplies on hand, communicating with vendors, coordinating moves with resident families) for him.  He wanted it both ways:  Don't do too much, but don't expect much help.
Another surprise I got soon after getting my feet on the ground was the news that the same supervisor had planned an extended medical leave. So during my final months, I was taking care of a 115-apartment building by myself.  The building turned out to be prone to leaks, with a constantly failing HVAC system (I had no prior HVAC experience, so there wasn't much I could do) that became the source of constant requests.  To be sure, doing 100 percent of the work wasn't too much worse than doing 90 percent of it, as I had before, but even given a slight bump in pay, what I was doing was too much to ask of one individual, and honestly, I didn't see much of that changing even when my supervisor returned from his leave.  
I would have left soon even if a better opportunity had not come my way.  The administration certainly appreciated what I did, but a little money and praise only goes so far.  I suspect my experience would have been much better at another location.  The company may be a good one, but I'll never take a "great opportunity" offered from someone I barely know again.  

Sunrise Senior Living provided employees with the tools they needed to succeed and advance within the company, but that was only true for certain locations. Management will purposely keep you from advancing within the company. I worked in at the location in Alpharetta, GA and management, especially the Executive Directors block employees from advancing into higher paying positions. At times there is no support from other team members. The discrimination and prejudice is real. The company claims to not offer light duty assignments. When I needed a light duty assignment due to having a high risk pregnancy, I was denied because my team members complained I was trying to be lazy and other people worked hard while they were pregnant. My manager at the time also stated they did not have the funds to staff an extra person while I was on shift. Later, a male team member was often light duty because of his shoulder injury that occurred outside of the job. The location was ran mostly by women who taught they were in high and mighty places and were untouchable or replaceable. Well least to say, during my time there, the turn over rate was extremely high. The caregivers quit left to right, and the management either left or got fired. One of the worst places to ever work. If the company could ensure they hired management and staff that followed and believed in the company business, maybe it would not be so bad. 
I also disapproved of the treatment of residents. The residents in memory care where treated like second class citizens, when they where the ones contributing the most money to keep the building afloat. The memory care unit residents were not recognized as veterans, they were invited to celebrate their birthday when the monthly parties happened for the assisted living unit, the other received inedible and inadequate amounts of food than the residents in the other unit. Sometimes there food would even get delivered cold and under cooked. They were also denied things that were listed on their grocery list and similar items like brown sugar that was offered to assisted living residents. They hardly ever received two daily snacks that was supposed to be offered to them per the company's policy. 
Today, I hope that the residents are being treated fairly and loved like they should be.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Caregiver 132 salaries reported	$18.50 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 37 salaries reported	$34.99 per hour
Cook 56 salaries reported	$19.99 per hour
Sales director 23 salaries reported	$31.44 per hour
Director of nursing 40 salaries reported	$106,032 per year

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