We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Edward Craft. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Edward below.
Edward, appreciate you joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
When I was 15 years old, my dad forced me to play my saxophone, with the church choir, during Christmas time, visiting senior living communities. At the third community we were at, I played “Jingle Bells” and a resident in a wheelchair looked directly at me and said the “f word.” I thought that was the coolest thing and sat with her and we exchanged all the bad words that we knew. When we were leaving, the staff had stopped us and told us that was the most they had every seen the resident verbalize and that she had dementia. It was because of that moment, I decided to become a volunteer in the senior living industry, which led me to become an Activity Director four years later.
Edward, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Edward Craft and my work in the Senior Living Industry as an Activity Director has earned me recognition in Texas and on a national scale. I take pride in working with people living with dementia and I love to share what is still possible for people living with dementia, using Montessori methods.
The people I work for (my residents living with dementia) have done extraordinary things – like having a fashion show, in partnership with Fabletics; creating a holiday in Houston called “Old People Are Cool Day” (proclaimed by former Mayor Sylvester Turner) which inspired Old People Are Cool Month in Washington, DC and recently Old People Are Cool Day in Tyler, TX; and starting Houston’s very first Dementia Friendly Church Service (a church service led by people living with dementia, for people living with dementia).
Currently, my residents are in the process of recording an album and are raising chickens! Through my work, I want to showcase the possibilities that are still there for people living with dementia, while providing comfort and hope to their loved ones (and anyone who follows our social media pages!) as well as helping to fight against ageism!
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
The most helpful skill in succeeding in the Senior Living Industry is the ability to listen and the belief that anything is possible! Often, the people I provide care for will tell me things that they wish/hope for or something they would like to do. I use those moments to implement that into a purposeful activity program.
For example, one of my residents told me that we need athleticwear to wear to our stretch classes, led by a former NFL player. I took the time to research athleticwear with her and we both discovered Fabletics, who offered to donate clothing if we were doing a fashion show. So, we put on a fashion show – which grew to us not only having a successful fashion show, but we turned it into a holiday in Houston (“Old People Are Cool Day”) to fight against ageism!
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I have been a HUGE fan of The Center for Applied Research in Dementia for many, many years; under the direction of Dr. Cameron Camp. The use of Montessori Methods in my Memory Care has truly proven to be life changing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwardesguerra?igsh=YXRoc2d0b3ZhdXNh&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edward.esguerra/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-craft-1042b519a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Mz9jXL3x3Zg
- Other: https://linktr.ee/edwardcraft?fbclid=IwY2xjawKQZY5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFoNVZIZjFYc3JCc096YW5KAR6NLsxhNNcu_ZqxmPgwfi7jkWgexj2ZtBXflZVP1HsH7XMUiq0jzRQK7l0alA_aem_R3S7FxkesWG0s_G-THdTtQ
