Wisdom and guidance from a veteran senior living industry communicator

Working in senior living is not for everyone.

But it suits Michael Smith just fine. For 15 years, he’s served in various communications roles for Pennsylvania-based Acts Retirement-Life Communities, one of the nation’s foremost senior living providers. Now head of corporate communications for the company, he’s using his influence to shed light on an industry that’s often misunderstood and portrayed in a negative light.

Here’s what he had to say in a recent exchange:

Ragan: How did you end up in communications and in your current role?

Smith: I’ve spent the majority of my career in the senior living industry leading corporate communications, public relations, and reputation management activity for Acts Retirement-Life Communities. I’ve always had an affinity for seniors starting at a young age and having a close relationship with my grandparents and older relatives. Perhaps that was foretelling of my future career in the senior living space.

Michael Smith