A Season of Visionary Leadership at The Sterling Aventura - Introducing Kristin Landahl, Executive Director and Community Servant

Her love for seniors is reflected in her advocacy for strategic elder care and memory preservation. The holiday season punctuates a year that brought forth countless accolades and goal attainment for the executive team in 2024. This past November, residents and staff from The Sterling Aventura assembled to participate in the Alzheimer’s Association - Southeast Florida Chapter’s 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Nova Southeastern University. They proved victorious in exceeding their $2,500 fundraising goal by raising $5,300 during the Broward County 5K.

“The Sterling Aventura has been part of the Aventura community for over 20 years,” Landahl said. “After running multiple senior living communities in the Midwest and around the country, I must admit that there is a particular heart and passion in Aventura that is undeniable. The employees possess a sense of kindness that you can feel once you walk through our doors, which permeates through our community. The generosity is unmatched, and we hope to share the spirit of giving with even more residents, visitors, and partners.”

A sought-after five-star, resort-style senior residential community, The Sterling Aventura was recently named among the nation’s best senior living facilities for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report. In 2023, Life Care Services– the center’s management company– became J.D. Power’s Most Awarded Brand in the history of its Senior Living Satisfaction Survey after ranking first in customer satisfaction for five consecutive years in the Independent Living category. Additionally, the company received the 2023 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for remarkable employee culture and engagement.

An accomplished elder care executive and seasoned business owner, Landahl has spent a little over a year at The Sterling Aventura while serving as the Executive Director for Life Care Services for the past 8 years. She obtained an undergraduate degree in sociology, with an emphasis on gerontology, from Illinois State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Her certifications include a green belt in process improvement in DMAIC/Lean/Six Sigma, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Director of Assisted Living. Her passion lies within her devotion to curating an assisted living community that honors the triumph of the human spirit during the most vulnerable stages of life.

“We’re laser-focused on promoting failure-free days for all the residents in order to keep them independent for as long as possible,” said Landahl. “Our team-building philosophy represents a Heart-Health Connection, and 24-hour brain stimulation, all to ensure that our residents make the best decisions to benefit their quality of life. By using the Health and Wellness Navigation Program– along with Partnerships for Care– we assist residents in upholding self-sufficiency by working with Absolute Home Care, SOBE Rehab, and the Alzheimer's Association.”

Residents of The Sterling Aventura benefit from a multitude of resources that enable accessible counsel and socialization, such as support groups, professional networking seminars, and international appreciation days. Landahl and her team have also assigned a social worker to visit the property to help seniors grapple with feelings associated with transition, loss, and so much more.

“Our primary program is called the 8 Dimensions of Health and Wellness, which focuses on the different levels of well-being for our residents,” she said. “We capture the following tenets of health: physical/exercise, emotional/support groups, environmental exposure, spiritual enlightenment, vocational support, social activities, intellectual /mental stimulation, and health services.”

Landahl and her team are uniquely positioned to reach new heights in 2025. “Next year, we will be prepared to expand our mark of excellence in dining services while growing our clinical team, as we continue to assist our residents in embracing our signature programs and service offerings,” she said. “Plus, we will be starting an internal Management Training Program designed to empower our contributing staff to become the best leaders and community servants possible. This past year has been incredible, and we thank the 911 Response Team, EMT Support Network, and Aventura Police Department for its caring collaboration with our staff and incredible reliability.”

On a larger scale, Landahl hopes to contribute to the national dialogue surrounding elder care and hospice services to prepare families for the inevitable realities of life. “We need to initiate frank conversations centered on hospice and end-of-life care. Our team at The Sterling Aventura aim to erase the negative connotation by redefining hospice as a resource of preparedness and prevention, forging a harmonious and comforting collaboration between families and healthcare practitioners,” she said. “Hospice provides a beautiful form of support to individuals without stripping away their identity and dignity, so we plan to enhance our in-house clinical offerings and support end-of-life care by taking our services to the next level. We realize that we have the only assisted living community in the area that leads families through end-of-life planning, so we hope to pioneer programs where seniors can stay in their homes– or age in place-- while enjoying comfortable surroundings and familiar faces. The key is to end the merry-go-round and provide comprehensive strategies that specifically cater to the needs of our residents.”

The Sterling Aventura strives to provide the most commendable, socially responsible service culture in the industry. For more information on the senior residential community or to schedule a walking tour of the property, visit: www.thesterlingaventura.com.