HEATHER MACCHIETTO
Fort Worth
Summary
Dynamic leader in dementia care and adult day services, recognized for innovative programming and community outreach. Developed and led initiatives that significantly improved resident satisfaction and operational growth, while mentoring emerging professionals. Advocates for visibility and sustainability of adult day services through education and collaboration.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Instructor, Health Professions & Related Services
Tarrant County College
Fort Worth
05.2025 - Current
- Delivered online Pathophysiology coursework to prepare students for careers in healthcare and allied health professions.
- Developed engaging lesson plans for diverse student populations.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to enhance critical thinking skills.
- Assessed student performance through various evaluation methods.
Director, Senior Day Program
James L. West Center for Dementia Care
Fort Worth
03.2022 - Current
- Lead operations, admissions, staffing, programming, and strategic growth initiatives for a well-respected dementia-focused adult day program.
- Reimagined and relaunched senior day program post-closure due to COVID-19, enhancing community access to vital services.
- Successfully led transition to an expanded location with enhanced participant services and increased operational capacity.
- Built the program to the highest daily census in its 30-year history.
- Presented nationwide and statewide on dementia care, person-centered programming, and innovations in adult day services.
- Cultivated partnerships with caregivers, healthcare providers, and community organizations, boosting awareness and service access.
Director of Lifestyles
Lifespace Communities (Edgemere)
Dallas
05.2020 - 03.2022
- Increased resident satisfaction scores through enhanced wellness, recreational, and educational offerings.
- Revitalized campus-wide programming and engagement opportunities, fostering community connection while navagating social isolation and operational restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Mentored staff, enhancing independent living and wellness programming initiatives to improve resident engagement.
Education Coordinator
James L. West Center for Dementia Care
Fort Worth
02.2020 - 03.2020
- Coordinated interdisciplinary clinical rotations and educational partnerships with universities and healthcare programs to enhance student learning experiences.
- Developed educational programs for individuals with dementia and their families.
- Coordinated training sessions for staff on dementia care best practices.
Care Coordination Manager
Sixty and Better
Fort Worth
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Developed and implemented care coordination services enhancing quality of life for older adults in HUD-supported housing communities.
- Connected residents to benefits, healthcare resources, and community support systems, improving access to essential services.
- Collaborated with Adult Protective Services to address safety concerns and promote resident advocacy.
- Planned educational programming on wellness, self-defense, scam prevention, and self-advocacy, empowering residents with valuable knowledge.
Executive Director, Dancing River Assisted Living & Memory Care
Civitas Senior Living
Grapevine
02.2017 - 09.2018
- Led operational and strategic initiatives for assisted living and memory care community, enhancing service delivery and resident satisfaction.
- Increased census from 80% to 95% within one year while consistently meeting or exceeding budgeted goals.
- Achieved 95% resident retention by ensuring high-quality care and support, with move-outs primarily due to death or transition to higher levels of care.
- Led community to recognition as 'Memory Care of the Year.'
- Consistently met or exceeded NOI targets through strong fiscal oversight and operational management.
- Collected more than $25,000 in outstanding revenue while maintaining monthly collection rates of 99–100%.
- Served as a training site for executive directors, memory care leaders, and activity professionals, fostering leadership development across the organization.
Associate Executive Director
Brookdale Senior Living
Richland Hills
04.2015 - 02.2017
- Oversaw operations for a 35-bed Clare Bridge dementia care community that consistently met NOI goals.
- Collected more than $50,000 in overdue rent payments while reducing revenue loss through effective collections management.
- Managed HR functions including FMLA administration, workers compensation cases, corrective actions, hiring, onboarding, and terminations.
Engage Life Director
Atria Senior Living
Grapevine
07.2012 - 04.2015
- Achieved a 10-point increase in resident and family satisfaction scores for Engage Life programming.
- Received commendation letters from Resident Council for 'service above and beyond.'
- Directed two resident chime bell choirs with more than 20 participants performing quarterly.
- Served as Practicum Advisor for students completing Activity Professional certification training.
Clinical Specialist/Aftercare Follow-Up
LifeSynch/Humana
Irving
02.2009 - 06.2012
- Facilitated smooth transitions for Medicare members from hospital to outpatient care settings, enhancing continuity of care.
- Coordinated care plans with hospital discharge planners for effective outpatient placement of Medicare beneficiaries.
- Encouraged adherence to treatment plans and follow-up appointments, contributing to improved health outcomes.
- Received 'Aftercare Follow-Up Award' six times for excellence in patient support.
- Honored as Clinical Specialist of the Month three times for exceptional performance.
- Awarded Humana’s 'Perfect Service Star Award' four times for exemplary customer service.
Assisted Living Coordinator
Sunrise Senior Living
Fort Worth
09.2007 - 06.2008
- Developed individualized service plans and facilitated family meetings to align care strategies with resident needs.
- Supervised assisted living care staff and coordinated resident care planning to enhance resident well-being.
- Managed staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage and compliance with overtime regulations.
Assistant Administrator for Licensed Facilities
C.C. Young Retirement Community
Dallas
07.2006 - 08.2007
- Managed assisted living operations, overseeing memory care and campus activities departments to enhance resident experience.
- Assisted residents and families with transitions to higher levels of care.
- Conducted bi-weekly four-hour dementia training sessions for new hires, equipping staff with essential knowledge and skills.
- Maintained 100% assisted living occupancy.
Administrator of Residential Living
C.C. Young Retirement Community
Dallas
06.2005 - 07.2006
- Directed daily operations for three independent living areas, ensuring quality services for 150 residents.
- Expanded on-campus and off-campus activity offerings, resulting in higher resident participation.
Director of Activities for the Dementia Continuum/Senior Day Program Director
C.C. Young Retirement Community
Dallas
03.2003 - 06.2005
- Doubled adult day center census through marketing initiatives and community open houses.
- Created monthly caregiver education classes, enhancing support for families of adult day participants.
- Coordinated campus-wide initiatives, including Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, Grandparent’s Day celebrations, and volunteer appreciation events, fostering community engagement and support.
Life Enrichment Coordinator
Jennings Center for Older Adults
Garfield Heights
02.2001 - 02.2003
- Developed and implemented comprehensive life enrichment programs enhancing engagement for skilled nursing and transitional care residents.
- Coordinated activities that promote cognitive stimulation and physical health for seniors.
- Expanded residents' social engagement by arranging more off-campus outings.
Music Therapist (MT-BC) / Recreation Therapy Department
St. Augustine Manor
Cleveland
08.1999 - 02.2001
- Led music therapy sessions enhancing emotional well-being of older adults and residents with AIDS and traumatic brain injuries.
- Founded resident choirs, fostering community engagement through performances at daily Mass and local events.
- Planned major community-wide celebrations, increasing resident participation and family involvement during Nursing Home Week and holiday events.
Education
Master of Science - Dementia & Aging Studies
Texas State University
San Marcos, TXBachelor of Music - Music Therapy, Psychology
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TXGraduate Academic Certificate - Specialist in Aging
University of North Texas
Denton, TXCertificate of Management -
University of Texas At Dallas
DallasSkills
- Adult Day Services Leadership
- Dementia Care & Education
- Person-Centered Care
- Family & Caregiver Engagement
- Public Speaking & National Conference Education
- Staff Recruitment, Development & Retention
- Healthcare Management
- Financial & Operational Management
- Nonprofit & Community Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Resident Rights & Advocacy
Affiliations
- National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)
- LeadingAge Texas
- National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
- National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
Websites
Certification
- Activity Director Certified (ADC)
- Certified Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT)
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
- LeadingAge Texas Leadership Collective Graduate
- Women in Leadership Certificate — Texas A&M Commerce
- 24-Hour Assisted Living Manager Course
Mentorship Service Advisory Leadership
- Board Member, Restoration Advocates, 2025–Present
- Practicum Site Supervisor, Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students
- Work-Study Supervisor, Cristo Rey Fort Worth High School
- Women in Leadership Advisory Member, Texas A&M Commerce
- MEPAP Practicum Advisor
- Virtual Mentor, Cristo Rey Fort Worth High School Students
National Presentations
- Staying the Course: Launching and Sustaining an Adult Day Program for People Living with Dementia--Leading Age Texas
- You: The Leader — NCCAP Approved CEU Presentation
- Dementia Basics and Programming Considerations-- Therapeutic Rec. Symposium of the Southwest
- Dementia Citizenship as a Pathway to Wellness — International Council on Active Aging Conference
- Dementia Citizenship and Person-Centered Care — National Adult Day Services Association Conference
- Adult Day 101 — James L. West Center for Dementia Care
- Activity Adaptations for People Living with Dementia — LeadingAge Texas Conference
- Personal Care and Resident Rights: Ethics in Dementia — Project ECHO
- But I’m Too Busy: Organization and the Activity Professional — NCCAP Approved CEU Presentation
- Old Challenge/New Solution: Keeping Your Cool and Finding Joy — Indiana Adult Day Services Conference
- Arts Forward: Fort Worth Community Arts Panelist
Timeline
Adjunct Instructor, Health Professions & Related Services
Tarrant County College
05.2025 - Current
Director, Senior Day Program
James L. West Center for Dementia Care
03.2022 - Current
Director of Lifestyles
Lifespace Communities (Edgemere)
05.2020 - 03.2022
Education Coordinator
James L. West Center for Dementia Care
02.2020 - 03.2020
Care Coordination Manager
Sixty and Better
01.2019 - 01.2020
Executive Director, Dancing River Assisted Living & Memory Care
Civitas Senior Living
02.2017 - 09.2018
Associate Executive Director
Brookdale Senior Living
04.2015 - 02.2017
Engage Life Director
Atria Senior Living
07.2012 - 04.2015
Clinical Specialist/Aftercare Follow-Up
LifeSynch/Humana
02.2009 - 06.2012
Assisted Living Coordinator
Sunrise Senior Living
09.2007 - 06.2008
Assistant Administrator for Licensed Facilities
C.C. Young Retirement Community
07.2006 - 08.2007
Administrator of Residential Living
C.C. Young Retirement Community
06.2005 - 07.2006
Director of Activities for the Dementia Continuum/Senior Day Program Director
C.C. Young Retirement Community
03.2003 - 06.2005
Life Enrichment Coordinator
Jennings Center for Older Adults
02.2001 - 02.2003
Music Therapist (MT-BC) / Recreation Therapy Department
St. Augustine Manor
08.1999 - 02.2001
Master of Science - Dementia & Aging Studies
Texas State University
Bachelor of Music - Music Therapy, Psychology
Sam Houston State University
Graduate Academic Certificate - Specialist in Aging
University of North Texas
Certificate of Management -
University of Texas At Dallas