Brightondale and Meadowood Shores
About Us
Brightondale Senior Community is nestled on the edge of Meadowood Park in New Brighton, MN, close to nearby Minneapolis metro area communities like Little Canada, Brooklyn Center, Coon Rapids and Mounds View. Our beautiful campus is a premier senior living community in the Twin Cities north metro area and is close to Cub Foods and other shopping and dining options. The Brightondale Campus offers lifestyle choices to include Apartment Living for 62+ at Meadowood Shores, Assisted Living, and our Reflections Dementia Care apartments at Brightondale. We also offer Respite and Short Stay care options for temporary residents.
Brightondale is managed by SilverCrest Properties, and we are one of the premium options in senior independent living in the Minneapolis area. Our active seniors love the convenience of access to local shopping, dining and activities in New Brighton, as well as our many on-site amenities. We foster and encourage independence for our residents while providing the personal care and clinical support services they may require. Our residents can smoothly transition from 62+ living in one apartment at Meadowood Shore to our assisted living community if needed. Brightondale offers LifeSprk homecare services for whole person senior care, encouraging our residents to maintain and treasure their independence.
Our residents on all our senior living options enjoy chef-prepared meals in our dining room or nutritious options in our Bistro. Our caring and friendly staff at Brightondale facilitate our social, health and fitness activities, as well as scheduled adventures to events and outings in the greater Minneapolis metro area. Whether you are ready to begin the next chapter of your life in a 62+ independent retirement community or you have a loved one who needs assisted living, Dementia Care or respite/short stay services, contact us at our office in New Brighton.
Management Team
Deb Tschida
Executive Director
Deb Tschida
Executive Director
A little about your job…
I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of the community.
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
I have enjoyed working with seniors since I was a teenager, there was never a question that this is where I would spend my career.
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
Ongoing leadership courses, dementia courses.
What is the best part of your workday?
Hands down the Residents
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
Our annual friends and family celebrations, the dachshund races.
What makes your community stand out from your competition.
Our dedicated staff and sense of community. Plus our location, we are right in the middle of a block surrounded by residential houses.
More About Deb…
I actually have a degree in physical therapy but have not treated for 30 years. I met my husband when I was 18 and have been with him ever since. We have 2 teenage boys who keep us busy. Both work PT in the dining room . I am a home body, I love cooking and hosting friends and family for dinner parties.
Favorite Movie?
Grease
Favorite Book?
The art of racing in the rain, and my childhood favorite was bread and jam for Frances.
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Twins
Favorite bands?
Bodeans
Top travel destination on your list?
Africa for a safari
Do you have any pets?
Not at this time
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
The ability to blink and be wherever I needed/wanted to be(just like I dream of Jeannie).
Assistant Director of Operations
Jessie Martancik
Assistant Director of Operations
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
I worked in a nursing home as a dietitian aide in high school and I always loved being around the residents. I knew I wanted to work in senior living and help serve our residents in any way possible.
What is the best part of your workday?
Seeing and visiting with residents of course!
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
A favorite memory of mine is the first year we hosted the dachshund dash. Seeing the excitement it brought to the residents was priceless, not to mention the little dogs racing!
What makes your community stand out from your competition.
We have very home like atmosphere. You can feel it when you walk in. Our staff are so friendly and close with each other. The staff here enjoy their jobs and enjoy the residents and you can really see it! We treat the residents like this is their home as opposed to it being a business and that is how it should be.
More About Jessie…
I married to my husband, Ben, going on 3 years and we have the cutest little 1 year old boy, Jackson. We have a white lab name Clyde who is the sweetest dog. We love to spend time in the summer up at my family cabin in Outing, Mn.
Favorite Movie?
I have too many favorite movies, but I do love Christmas movies during the holiday season, we always must watch a few a week!!
Favorite Book?
When I do read, I like books like Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, Sharp Objects, etc.
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Vikings of course! My family is a big Viking/football fan, so we try to always watch the games together every week.
Favorite bands?
I love all music, especially country and classic rock.
Top travel destination on your list?
I have always wanted to travel to Greece. Hopefully, I can make that happen someday!
Do you have any pets?
Yes, we have a yellow/white lab name Clyde. He is 4 years old and is such a good boy!
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I am a clean freak! I always need to be cleaning my house, it makes me feel so much better!
Shannon Garza
Marketing Director
Shannon Garza
Marketing Director
A little about your job…
Helping seniors find a wonderful apartment and home.
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
I love working with seniors.
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
I have a Public Health degree.
What is the best part of your workday?
Chatting with residents.
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
Listening to Maury sing!
What makes your community stand out from your competition.
The awesome staff!
More About Shannon…
I am married to my husband John for 35 years and we have 2 children: Noah (26) and Sammy (21), We have lived in Champlin for 20 years and love the small town fee. Family is everything to me and love spending time with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews and their growing families. I love to cook and entertain.
Favorite Movie?
The 100 Foot Journey
Favorite Book?
A Knight in Shining Armor
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Gopher football and basketball.
Favorite bands?
Journey and Foreigner
Top travel destination on your list?
Italy
Do you have any pets?
2 dogs: Trixie and Beans
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I am a pretty boring person.
Amy House
Director of Reflections
Amy House
Director of Reflections
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
The relationships that I can develop with the residents, their families and staff- it is a sense of home and community.
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
I have a B.S. in Healthcare Management. I am a Certified Dementia Practioner with the National Council of Certified Dementia Practioners, an Independent Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer with Teepa Snow’s organization, and a Trained Support Group Facilitator with the Alzheimer’s Association. I do continuing education, attend conferences and keep up to date with dementia topics to best support my residents, their families and the staff at Brightondale Reflections.
What is the best part of your workday?
The residents that are happy to see me with a big smile and a “good morning!”
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
I sing “We’re Off to See The Wizard” when I leave the neighborhood with residents to go for a walk, activity, on the bus, etc. A resident who went everywhere with me around the building during my day loved it. As his disease progressed he was no longer able to walk or talk. One day when I was bringing him with me to go outside in his wheelchair, he started whistling the song and I knew that he was still in there and loved spending time with me.
What makes your community stand out from your competition.
My position that is unique to SilverCrest properties. The Director of Reflections is the glue that holds everything together in Memory Care. The communication between SilverCrest and family, the quick resolution of concerns, ensuring the caregivers know the little details that make all the difference in the day that our residents have, having the tools for resident engagement and activities and the family education that is so important to this journey.
More About Amy…
My husband Chris and I live in St. Paul with our dachshunds. Our house is small and is 108 years old and we love the history and beautiful woodwork. Our backyard is our haven with our gardens where we love to entertain and enjoy my husband’s delicious meals off the grill. We love to travel, learn about different cultures and try recipes from around the world. I grew up on a farm in Central Minnesota and love talking with the residents in Reflections about life on the farm. Many of them grew up on a farm or had a grandparent with a farm they visited and the stories are so fun!
Favorite Book?
Anything by Michael Crichton
Favorite bands?
U2- I have seen them 5 or 6 times in concert and my grandmother made a quilt of all my U2 t-shirts for me that I cherish.
Top travel destination on your list?
Our next European vacation will probably be to Croatia. There is a National Park with thousands of waterfalls that I want to see. My family had a trip planned to Alaska, but we were unable to go because of the pandemic, so that will be a destination in the coming years as well.
Do you have any pets?
Stout, a black and tan dachshund who is 9 years old and Thimble, a dorkie (half dachshund and half yorkie) who is 12 years old. Both are healthy and love kayaking, hiking and wiener dog racing!
Regina Kpasie
Resident Care Coordinator
Regina Kpasie
Resident Care Coordinator
A little about your job…
I’m the supervisor for the resident assistants, and the staffer.
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
Love taking care of the residents.
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
I went to meet with the Resident Care Coordinator on Silver Crest on Main and she trained me for my position.
What is the best part of your workday?
Interacting with the staff, getting to know them individually and the getting to know the residents.
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
I worked with a resident that will always put her light on for you to sit with her. She will say I don’t need nothing honey. I just want you to sit, you been working too much. She did that with every resident assistant that cares for her.
What makes your community stand out from your competition.
I like how everyone knows your name, and the relationship the staff have with each other.
More About Regina…
I have a 10-year-old son, got my bachelor’s degree this year in HealthCare Management and I love cooking.
Favorite Movie?
Tyler Perry movies
Favorite Book?
Stephen King collections
Favorite Team(s)?
I don’t have one. Not really into watching sports.
Favorite bands?
I don’t have a favorite band, but my favorite artist is Rihanna and Alicia Keys.
Top travel destination on your list?
I will love to visit Bora Bora
Do you have any pets?
No
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
My superpower will be flying because I love to know how it feels sitting on the clouds.
Su (Susan) Stigney
Director of Programming
Su (Susan) Stigney
Director of Programming
A little about your job…
It is a job that is never the same from day to day. The job has a great amount of variety.
The purpose of my job is to help meet the leisure needs of the residents and to assist them to find connection and purpose with our SilverCrest mission of R>E>S>P>E>C>T>!
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
I do not remember what first sparked my desire to start working in senior living, but I do know why I stay. The people, the staff, the mission.
How do you decide which activities and programs to offer?
My formula is: Resident interests/ requests, time of year, availability, as well as trying to balance in the Phases of Wellness.
What are your residents top 3 favorite activities?
Hard for me to pick, so I asked my residents …
- Table Games (Bingo, Cards, Crosswords, Rummikub, etc.).
- BIG Community Events like the outdoor events such as the dog races, concerts, and theme events.
- Class of …/ New Residents Welcome Event to connect new residents with each other and answer questions about the community.
What were your two best attended, most fun events over the past two years?
- ON SITE Billable Events during a time when we were unable to go on an outing to restaurants or other locations (which is one of their favorites things to do), we ordered in, with great interests to do it monthly.
- Our last Elegant Dinner Theme “Mediterranean Cruise “
What is your favorite activity to participate in with residents?
There are so many. Fitness is one of the top ones, but I also love the adventures we have had on outings.
Are there programs the residents lead themselves? If so, what are they?
Absolutely! Different neighborhoods within our community will have different levels on independence abilities. We encourage independent and leadership as residents wish and are able. The following groups that offer the best independent opportunity are table games (like Rummikub, cards, etc.) as well as some worship groups, gentlemen club, puzzle groups, fitness groups, coffee socials, etc.
What sets your programming apart from the competition?
My Team and SilverCrest!
More About Su…
Here are two of my favorite quotes:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, & Discover!” ~ Mark Twain.
“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle” ~ Albert Einstein.
Favorite Movie?
Field of Dreams
Favorite Book?
Love reading and read a variety of books, but only one that I go back to on a consistent bases and that is the Bible.
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
To watch Twins baseball or the Olympics. To participate I enjoyed volleyball & softball.
Top 2 favorite bands?
“Mercy ME” best Faith base band, or the bands of the 70’s Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, etc.…
Top travel destination on your list?
Norway, New Zealand, and Ireland.
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
Super-Enhanced Senses with ability to turn off or on as needed, and with the ability to replicate what is learned by this power. It would be a great skill to help others for good?.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
During my college years I was asked to compete in the Miss Honey Queen contest. I won regional and came in 2nd in the State competition. p.s. My Dad raised bees, so I knew a little about bee, the honey process and honey health benefits.
Do you have a favorite resident memory or story? If so, please share?
After working here so many years, I have many wonderful resident memory / stories. Here are two that come to mind.
- Carol had been a clothing designer (mainly wedding dresses) and pattern maker in her professional life. We arranged a modeling show and brought friends and family in to watch. Carol’s selections were stunning! The joy that was felt by all that afternoon was amazing!
- Throughout the years working with residents and expanding their abilities and interest in Technology has brought me many wonderful memories.
- The first one was in one of my 1st years’ working here, I lead classes for both Independent and our Assisted Living. It was one of the Assisted Living residents who, after the 3rd class, asked her family to buy a desktop computer for her, as soon as possible, as she was having so much fun and felt so connected.
- Around 2015, I had the opportunity to connect with a very driven High School senior that wanted to bring High School students in to mentor seniors on a 1 to 1 technology based on an international program called Cyber Seniors. Blue Cross Blue Shield also partnered with the project and created a documentary.
- During the recent Covid -19 shutdown more seniors wanted to stay connected with loved ones. As I assisted with their technology needs, joys, laughter, and learning was shared as they enhance their skills with their technology of choice. It was heartwarming. Even residents, who thought that they would never need to do a video chat, came to love them.
Mariel Boeyink
Director of Dining Service
Mariel Boeyink
Director of Dining Service
A little about your job…
I oversee dining operations for Brightondale assisted living and Reflections residents, and Meadowood Shores independent living dining room. I plan the weekly menus, special dining events, order food and manage the Dining budget, work with residents on dining options, and fill in wherever I’m needed in my department.
How many people are on your team?
40
What special training or education helped best prepare you for this career?
I attended Luther College for my bachelor’s degree and worked in the cafeteria for my work study. That was where it all started! Later I attended Saint Paul College for a culinary arts certificate.
What are the meals your residents request the most?
My residents love to eat roast beef, meat lasagna, salmon, meatloaf, and walleye.
What is the most memorable meal you have cooked at your community?
I will always remember the first Elegant Dinner I designed the menu for, when I was a Chef at Brightondale. We created an Asian- flavored meal with French cooking techniques and plate design. We served a soy-braised beef short rib with ginger-garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with lime and peanut, curried butternut squash soup, a cucumber and crab appetizer, a mushroom-watercress salad, and orange-star anise crème brulee with soft spiced chocolate cookies. It was very challenging to organize, and a little scary hoping everything (some of which were recipes we hadn’t tried previously) would turn out well. The residents loved it!
What is your specialty or favorite dish to make?
I really enjoy making soup, and finding delicious and creative uses for extra produce and ingredients.
What makes the dining experience at your community stand out from the competition?
At Brightondale and Meadowood Shores, we combine fine dining options with a comfortable, homey atmosphere. We are always striving to improve our residents’ dining experience and provide the meals they are craving.
More About Mariel…
I grew up in Saint Paul, near the Como Zoo and State Fair. I have loved to read from an early age. I liked scary stories when I was little, and now I read all kinds of things that interest me, but my favorite topics fantasy and historical fiction. I have loved to eat since I was small as well, but was a picky eater until I was in high school. I drew and painted as a child, and even taught art to kids in high school. When I have time, I still submit paintings and drawings to shows with a local art collective. I played the trumpet through college, and still miss playing in an ensemble. I went to Luther College in Northeast Iowa and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I enjoyed my time working in the cafeteria while I was there, and also was so lucky as to live 20 minutes away from my grandparents. We had Sunday dinner together every weekend! I worked in an office for 5 years after college, and when it became apparent to me that cooking dinner for myself every night wasn’t enough to satisfy my passion for food, I attended culinary school to see what kind of career in food I would want. I worked in a restaurant and decided I wanted to get to know my customers. I started working as a chef at Parkshore Senior Community the day after I completed my certificate, and have been with Silvercrest ever since!
What are you top “go to” meals when you are cooking at home?
I love starch! Very often at my house, we eat stir fry with rice or noodles, or pasta. I don’t make a lot of things twice, but our family favorite, and a rare treat, is red beans and rice made when I get my hands on a ham bone.
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs! I have 2.
Favorite Movie?
Moulin Rouge
Favorite Book?
The Song of Ice and Fire Series, by George RR Martin
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
If I could watch every minute of the Olympics, I would. Especially the Winter Olympics.
Favorite bands?
Journey and Hanson
If you could go on a culinary trip anywhere in the world – which country/city would you go to and why?
If I had unlimited time and resources, I would eat my way around the world in New York City.
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
I wish I could bend time. It would be like being in two places at once!
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I’ve been out of the country 3 times, all when I was in college. I took advantage of the January term all 3 years to travel to China, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Do you have a favorite resident memory or story to share?
One of our residents at Brightondale was in her first or second day in the building. My daughter was 3 at the time, and loved to visit the birds in the aviary. She found the resident in a chair nearby, grabbed her by the hand, called her Grandma, and demanded she go look at the birds with her. That resident always remembered that day, and said it made her feel welcome and at home in a new place.
Racheal Pearson
Clinical Director
Racheal Pearson
Clinical Director
A little about your job…
I oversee medical portion of cares to residents
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
Stories residents share about their lives
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
None that comes to mind; besides the obvious nursing school
What is the best part of your workday?
Visiting with residents; getting to know them
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
All of them, they all are unique and special to me
What makes your community stand out from your competition.
Teamwork, compassion, relationships built w/ all the residents
More About Racheal…
I am a mother of 3 children and 4 bonus daughters through marriage, grandma to 7, 3 biological and 4 bonus, as well as 2 fur grandbabies. I married in 2018 to my junior high “crush” and life has been wonderful ever since we reconnected in 2011!
I live in Coon Rapids with my husband, my mother-in-law and my youngest son. We have a swimming pool that all the grandkids love to come over and spend time with~ which makes us both very happy!!
My husband and I travel quite a bit, as he is originally from Arizona, so once or twice a year we make it down to visit his family. Last March, we traveled to Destin, Fl which was one of the best vacations we have taken. We were right on the Gulf of Mexico for one week. Good food, Good weather and great company~ my brother and sister-in-law came and visited for a few days. They reside in Sanibel Island. We have attempted on 2 occasions to make it to Nashville, TN however the first year Covid restrictions prevented it and the 2nd year the whole house was home sick. We will make it there, just not going to plan it in advance~
I love the Vikings.. huge fan but realistic in the fact they will never reach the Superbowl in my lifetime!
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