WHEELING – A long career in meeting the needs of children shifted into a second career in caring for senior citizens for Jamie Crow, executive director of Elmhurst, The House of Friendship. Yet the underlying mission is the same for both roles – to provide comfort and support for those in the Ohio Valley who often have the greatest need for it.

When Crow sought to find her life’s work, she originally had working with children in the front of her mind. Crow earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now West Liberty University in public service with an emphasis in social work and later earned a master’s degree in social work from West Virginia University.

And in the first half of her working life, children were the focal point of her occupation. She served as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upper Ohio Valley for nearly 16 years.

“Kids were my specialty,” she said. “And that’s where I wanted to spend my time.”

Her personal experience, though, led her to think about a change. Crow said her father developed Alzheimer’s disease at age 65 and dealt with the illness for 10 years before passing away. When she saw the advertisement for Elmhurst’s executive director position, she said something clicked inside her. At that point, she decided that career shift from working with youth to working with seniors was the right move to make, and she has been with Elmhurst since 2006.

“I knew how my dad didn’t get to enjoy retirement,” she said. “What a joy to be able to shift gears, come here and work with those who are enjoying life to the fullest. Our residents, their quality of life improves because of the care they’re receiving here.”

The facility itself is unique. It’s the former mansion of the late Samuel S. Bloch, sitting on National Road near the corner of Washington Avenue. The Bloch family donated the estate to the West Virginia Home for Aged Women in 1940. In the years that followed, Elmhurst expanded, adding multiple wings while maintaining the ambiance of the original mansion.

Thirty-eight people currently live at Elmhurst, and the facility can welcome as many as 46 at one time.

The licensed assisted living facility offers residency options from studio and large apartments to one- and two-bedroom suites. Crow understands how difficult it can be for people who lived in one home for 50 or 60 years to then move to communal living, but she wants those at Elmhurst to feel comfortable in what is their new home.

In many ways, Crow said, the basic tenets of caring for children and caring for seniors are very similar. Those tasked with that care must treat their charges with respect and understanding and should always have an ear open to hear their concerns.

“Everybody likes to be talked to,” Crow said. “Everybody loves to be treated with respect and dignity. And I think just sitting down and talking to our residents, it means a lot to them, hearing what they have to say, voicing their concerns.”

As much as senior care is focused on the now and the current needs of the residents, Crow still has an eye cast toward the future of the industry. She sees the coming arrival of the “Baby Boomer” generation, and the differing needs that come with that group.

The generation that came before the Boomers wasn’t so focused on technology. Future Elmhurst residents will enter the facility much more comfortable with and apt to use smartphones and computers. Because of that, infrastructure must be in the right shape to accommodate those future residents’ needs.

And younger residents often are more interested in venturing out to shop and visit parks and other attractions. Crow said, though, that diversity in age is a benefit, especially for the older residents when the younger residents make sure they’re included in activities.

As Crow has matured in her professional life, she has seen her second career caring for seniors fit her like a glove. To see residents enjoy their later years and to be able to offer a comfortable and elegant experience makes her workdays sparkle.

“It’s made my heart happy because of the happiness that we’re bringing to seniors,” she said. “There’s so much history with them. It’s amazing what they have lived through in their lifetime. So when I came here to work, it was an absolute joy. I never realized how fulfilling it could be.”