Executive Director of Carillon Assisted Living’s new Mint Hill Facility Excited About Early August Opening
Sara Rigsby
Sara Rigsby has a long list of details to tend to before Carillon Assisted Living opens the doors to its Mint Hill facility the first week of August. However, the Executive Director’s packed schedule isn’t crowding out her excitement over welcoming the community to Carillon.
“We have a beautiful building and beautiful apartments,” says Rigsby, who worked as the associate executive director of an assisted living home in Boston before relocating to suburban Charlotte. “I want to be able to give great care to residents who need it. It’s something that’s been close to my heart for a long time, to give excellent care for residents and take away the day-to-day cares for their families.”
The next four weekends will help shine a spotlight on Mint Hill’s impending opening, starting with a “Heroes’ Day” Saturday, July 15. Carillon will host personnel of the local police and fire departments to give them a chance to tour the home, and to give Rigsby and her staff a chance to thank them for their service to the community.
On July 22 from 10 am to 12 noon, author Mary Ann Drummond will be leading a workshop on caring for people with Alzheimer’s. Drummond, a Carillon executive for over 15 years before moving to a consultant status with the company, will focus on Alzheimer’s caregivers and how they can push through the difficult times. Drummond is the founder of Angel Tree Publishing, which provides uplifting educational materials and resources for Alzheimer’s caregivers.
Refreshments will be served July 29 at the suburban Charlotte facility’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” event. The following Saturday, August 5, will be one of the last open houses to allow prospective residents and their families to get an advance preview of the attractive home. Rigsby started leading tours the first week of July, when she pre-registered six residents for Mint Hill’s memory care units.
Although most Carillon facilities have memory care units ranging from a capacity of 28 to 36 occupants, the newest home will have two wings, with 24 beds in each. “There’s not a lot of memory care available here,” Rigsby says. “We’re excited to offer such high quality memory care in our community. I love what I do because I can make a difference in people’s lives. I can put a smile on residents’ faces, and take pain away from families when they’re going through a hard time.”
Rigsby brings a wealth of business, administrative and assisted living experience to North Carolina. Her first job in business came with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group in England, where she grew up after moving overseas at the age of 3. The Southern California native later worked for the international speaking organization, Toastmasters, and a business technology company before earning her degree at the University of Southern California.
This is her first opportunity as an executive director, which is only part of her excitement about her recent relocation. She is already a member of the Kiwanis club, has visited numerous area churches to share the Carillon story, and has helped with Meals on Wheels. And, in addition to bringing a one-year-old daughter to North Carolina, Rigsby will marry her fiancé in September. It all adds up to a new home she has quickly grown to love.
“Everyone is so friendly and welcoming,” Sara says. “That Southern hospitality is very much in evidence. People smile a lot here. They take time to enjoy life.”
Posted in Sage Stories on July 12, 2017