Congratulations to our new Daisy Award Winner!

If you want to know about the qualities it takes to win a Daisy Award, just spend a few minutes talking with Life Enrichment Director Eric Walther. His passion and energy for creating meaningful experiences for the residents of American House Keene are truly inspiring, leaving no doubt as to why he was this year’s winner.

For starters, this is a guy who even thinks about his residents when he’s on vacation. Eric and his wife have a lifetime goal to visit every national park in the U.S. Along with hiking and sightseeing, Eric makes it a point to take pictures that would be enjoyable for his residents. “I pull together all my pictures from my travels, add a little historical info and do a short presentation when I get back to the community,” he said. “The residents like to see my experiences, which is great, and it's super that they support me that way.” So far, the couple have hit 49 of the current 63 parks, so the residents have more entertainment to look forward to!

Eric loves creating exciting new programs for his residents. With the themes he receives from Life Enrichment leadership, his background in theater kicks in and he gets creative. “I’ve done a cinema week with a “Back to the Future” movie, and Johnny Carson and “The Price Is Right” shows.” It’s this out of the box mentality that made Eric a Daisy Award Winner. “I want the residents to have a different experience and feel special,” said Eric.

Erics involves the community’s other departments when creating joy for the residents. Whether it's dressing in costumes or interactive events, Eric says, “I want all the teams to feel included. I feel communities become better when all the teams are working together.”

Having been with American House Keene since 2018 and Life Enrichment Director for four years, Eric knew the Daisy Award is given out annually during National Activity Professionals Week to an LED who exhibits performance excellence. But receiving the honor still took him by surprise. The CRDs had asked for a Strawberry Daiquiri-themed Resident Referral social hour. Throughout the day, it was business as usual. “But people were acting a little strange to me,” said Eric. He’d set up the room for the referral program presentation and people started filing in. And they just kept coming.

He thought, “Boy, they’re really excited for strawberry daiquiris!”

Then he saw Jillian and Amy from the Life Enrichment leadership team holding up a picture of his face over their face. Soon he saw his face popping up around the room. The surprise sunk in. All smiles, he accepted the Daisy Award.

While this was truly an honor for Eric, doing the job that he loves is the real reward in his life. “I love my job and I love what I do, and I’m happy to help do whatever it takes to keep growing American House and making the Life Enrichment teams the circle of fun and enjoyment for the residents,” said Eric. “A big part of why our residents stay with us is because they enjoy themselves. I want them to feel great at 85- or 90-some-years-old and have fun with their friends.”

We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. Our seniors have amazing stories that hold a wealth of wisdom. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.