At Meth-Wick, operations is more than logistics—it’s the foundation that lets community and connection thrive.
As Director of Operations, Lindsay Glynn has helped build the systems and workflows that make that possible across campus.
Here, Lindsay shares her perspective on her role, her path to Meth-Wick, and what’s changing in the world of senior living.
Q: Tell us a little about your background. What led you to a career in senior living operations?
My journey toward senior living started as a teenager working for an in-home care organization. I was assigned to assist older adults with daily living activities, running errands, and simply spending quality time together. During college, I worked third shift for that same organization, staying overnight in the homes of older adults so their primary caregivers could get rest. I’d wake up in the middle of the night to assist them, prepare their breakfast in the morning, and then head to class.
Those hands-on experiences made me realize I wanted to spend my entire career in aging services. I went on to earn a master’s degree in Gerontology while working full-time at a skilled nursing facility for four years. Afterwards, I worked in senior living and aging services programming until around the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following that, I spent a couple of years at Cornell College in advancement services. This allowed me to learn more about philanthropy and development while staying close to my growing kids in Mount Vernon. I always knew that the fundraising experience was something valuable I could eventually bring back to aging services, which has always been my core passion
Q: What brought you to Meth-Wick, and what interested you about the Director of Operations role?
I was specifically drawn to the Director of Operations role because it bridges my background in program management and aging services with the experience I gained in the philanthropy and development world. It presented a unique opportunity to merge all these areas to serve older adults to help them thrive.
Q: For someone who may not be familiar with your position, what does a Director of Operations do? What parts of Meth-Wick are you involved with on a typical day?
Because of the diverse nature of the role, it can be hard to pinpoint a “typical” day. On any given day, I might be holding office hours at Oakwood, collaborating with landscapers on a project made possible by a charitable gift, or working with our team members on special projects. I also work directly with our Environmental Services team—like laundry and housekeeping—and help drive strategic initiatives when we identify new opportunities. Ultimately, my job involves gathering data to make informed decisions, outlining action steps, and building those steps into our standard daily operations.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working in senior living?
What I love most is the feeling of family. In the evenings, I go home to my family, and in the mornings, I come to work to spend the day with my extended family. I remember a resident being surprised to see me working on a project on Christmas Eve, but honestly, there was nowhere else I would have rather been. (The “project” was carrying a TV into a community room so we could all watch Christmas movies together!). The sense of connection and the work itself make it incredibly rewarding.
Q: From an operations perspective, what does it take to create a community that feels like home rather than simply a place where services are provided?
It’s always the people who make a community feel like home. However, from an operational standpoint, that warm, family-like dynamic isn’t possible if staff or residents are overwhelmed, overworked, or stressed. When people are burned out, they don’t have the capacity to connect deeply. Operationally, our job is to establish solid systems and workflows so care is seamless, giving everyone the time and capacity to truly care for and love one another.
Q: Today’s seniors have different expectations than previous generations. What changes are you seeing in what people want from a senior living community?
We see a much stronger desire for independence, personal control, and autonomy in decision-making. People want options that allow them to maintain control over their lives and stay in their homes as long as possible. At the same time, core human needs haven’t changed: everyone still needs to feel valued, heard, and aligned with a sense of purpose. What has evolved is how people express and fulfill those needs today.
Q: There’s a lot of conversation about “aging in place.” How do you see senior living communities fitting into that trend?
To me, supporting “aging in place” means minimizing disruptions and life transitions as much as possible. Major moves and changes in care levels can be difficult for anyone. Whether that means supporting someone while they are on our waiting list, helping campus residents thrive in their original apartments without needing higher care levels, or providing supportive services in place, our goal is to deliver seamless care with as little disruption to lives as possible.
Q: How is technology changing senior living, both in ways residents can see and behind the scenes?
Technology provides incredible benefits. Advanced data tracking allows us to spot trends in health and wellness that we might otherwise miss, helping us make better-informed decisions. It also offers tools to keep residents safe and maintain social connections—something that proved vital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: Meth-Wick is a not-for-profit senior living community. How does that influence the way you approach your role as Director of Operations and the decisions you make for the community?
The not-for-profit mission is essential to me—I wouldn’t have taken this role if Meth-Wick weren’t a not-for-profit. I strongly believe we are here to care for one another. Operating as a not-for-profit grounds every decision we make in advocacy and service for the people we love and care for, ensuring our focus remains entirely on making a meaningful difference in their lives.
Q: When you think about Meth-Wick five or ten years from now, what do you hope continues to evolve, and what do you hope never changes?
I look forward to seeing technology and creative solutions continue to evolve in how we care for people—both our residents and our team members. What I hope never changes is our fundamental dedication to one another.