Jason Acquisto’s Senior Living Leadership: Balancing Occupancy Goals with Human Dignity

🎙️ From Crisis Communications to Senior Living Leadership: Jason Acquisto’s Journey with Bickford Senior Living

In this inspiring episode, Jason Acquisto, Chief Operating Officer at Bickford Senior Living, shares his remarkable journey from corporate communications and crisis management to leading operations for a regional senior living provider with locations across the Midwest. Through candid stories about having difficult conversations with families facing dementia diagnoses, learning the delicate balance between business metrics and human dignity, discovering that 100% occupancy means nothing without resident happiness and health, and practicing daily stillness and mindfulness to stay centered in emotionally demanding work, Jason reveals how his background in crisis communications prepared him for the most important conversations—helping families navigate the heartbreaking transition to memory care while honoring their loved ones’ stories.

✨ Key Insights You’ll Learn:

• Chief Operating Officer role at Bickford Senior Living across Midwest regional markets
• Career transition from corporate communications and crisis management to senior living operations
• Memory care and assisted living services specialization serving aging population
• Difficult conversation skills helping families navigate dementia care decisions
• Balance between business occupancy goals and resident quality of life metrics
• 100% occupancy target paired with highest resident happiness and longevity outcomes
• Family support during emotionally challenging placement decisions and transitions
• Podcast host of multiple shows developing active listening skills for leadership
• Crisis communication background application to sensitive family conversations
• Daily mindfulness and deep breathing practices for emotional centering
• Stillness and presence habits replacing constant podcast and music consumption
• Community building through resident life stories and family relationship development
• Regional operations management across multiple senior living locations
• Purpose-driven metrics prioritizing resident health over pure financial performance

🌟 Jason’s Key Mentors:

Corporate Communications Background: Crisis management experience providing foundation for difficult family conversations Bickford Senior Living Leadership: Collaborative environment supporting human-centered operational approach Podcast Community: Multiple show hosting developing deep listening skills applicable to resident family relationships Residents and Families: Daily teachers about dignity, life stories, and what matters most in aging care Mindfulness Practices: Deep breathing and stillness techniques enabling emotional presence in demanding role

👉 Don’t miss this powerful conversation about leading with empathy in senior care, balancing business metrics with human dignity, and using mindfulness to stay present through emotionally difficult work.