Throughout his career as a caregiver in senior living, Royce has been dedicated to helping older adults feel respected, valued, and at home. Through personal challenges, professional experience, and a deep commitment to caring for others, this caregiver at The Pines of Richfield has developed a caregiving philosophy rooted in compassion, respect, and service that reflects Cassia’s values, vision, and mission.
A Career Built on Serving Others
Royce began as a senior living caregiver about 20 years ago when his sister, who was a nurse, encouraged him to explore a career in healthcare. He earned his Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification and has been serving older adults ever since.
At Chapel View in Hopkins, Minnesota, and The Pines of Richfield, he has discovered that resident-centered care in assisted living and care suite environments goes beyond completing tasks and prioritizes the needs of others with a focus on excellence.
“I love the people,” Royce says. “I love doing this work.”
Learning Compassion Through Experience
When asked about his approach to compassionate caregiving, Royce reflects on a three-month hospitalization due to a serious infection. He learned how it feels to be vulnerable and dependent on caregivers.
“I know the feeling,” he says. “My experience was really good.”
That experience motivated him to elevate his level of respect and empathy for those he supports.
“I wanted to carry that care and compassion to others,” Royce says.
How Life Challenges Shaped His Perspective
In addition to his hospitalization, Royce has faced other challenges and nearly lost all he holds dear. He says some of life’s hardest seasons taught him lessons that continue to influence how he serves others today.
Through those experiences, he gained a deeper appreciation for compassion, second chances, and the importance of meeting people where they are. He also found his faith, which has made the most profound difference in his life and his approach to serving others, including as a licensed pastor.
“I’ve carried my love for the Lord to people,” he says.
In doing so, Royce reflects Cassia’s vision statement “to be a living expression of Christ’s love through extraordinary service and excellence.”
Acknowledging Residents’ Humanity
Royce says he strives to help residents feel welcomed, valued, and at home by recognizing each person as an individual first. That means treating them the way he would like to be treated, with dignity and kindness.
“That’s what we’re called to do: Acknowledge people and love them where they are because God loves us,” Royce says.
Whether helping residents with daily routines in assisted living, providing support in care suites, or simply stopping to chat, he does this in practical ways like learning residents’ stories and remembering details about their lives and needs.
“People want someone to listen to them and be kind and compassionate,” Royce says.
These actions, both big and small, help residents feel known, respected, and valued.
Building Connections Across Cassia Communities
Royce has been a longtime caregiver at Chapel View and more recently joined the team at The Pines of Richfield. Moving to The Pines has been an adjustment that has gone well.
“I had to get used to people, medications, and get acclimated to everyone,” Royce says. “It was a smooth transition because everyone is very helpful in that. Everybody here, I think they’re really great. Everybody here is very kind to me and respects me.”
As a team, they have come together in a spirit of unity and collaboration.
In addition to getting to know his coworkers, Royce has really enjoyed getting acquainted with new residents.
“This is a great place. I thoroughly enjoy it. I’ve gotten to know a lot of residents on a first-name basis, and we’ve shared things about ourselves,” he says. “I try to touch base with everyone. They’re good people and I’m blessed to know them.”
Life Lessons from Residents
Over the years, Royce has learned many things from residents. He is most inspired by their character and resilience.
“I’ve learned life isn’t easy and people go through a lot of struggles,” he says. “To be able to grow to a certain age and still carry yourself with character is a blessing.”
To Royce, character includes such attributes as kindness, care, and patience. He strives to embody them in his professional and personal life.
Why Royce Looks Forward to Coming to Work
When asked about working at The Pines, Royce smiles and says, “I genuinely like coming here. I look forward to it.”
The reason is fourfold. He enjoys spending time with residents in both assisted living and care suites, appreciates supportive coworkers, feels welcomed by both, and finds purpose and fulfillment in helping others.
Royce also sees caregiving as both a privilege and a calling, striving to be a faithful steward of the time, trust, and relationships entrusted to him each day.
For him and many others, those reasons make a career in senior living very rewarding.
Living Cassia’s Values Every Day
Throughout his 20-year career, Royce has learned that meaningful care begins with compassion and respect. Whether he’s listening to a resident’s story, supporting a family, or helping a coworker, he strives to serve others with integrity and excellence. That commitment reflects not only his personal values but also Cassia’s values.
Are you interested in learning more about the culture and people who make Cassia communities special? Contact us at The Pines of Richfield, Chapel View, or explore more Cassia communities today.