FAYETTEVILLE SENIOR ACTIVITY & WELLNESS CENTER DIRECTOR CAYLA WILSON

What made you decide on a career working with seniors?

Being an only child, growing up I was mainly around older adults. My grandmother had a huge influence on me. She taught me respect and manners, which goes a long way in the senior community. My background is in arts and sales. I didn’t have a clue about running a senior center. Right after I was hired, my mother died and a few months later my grandmother died.

The seniors embraced me and helped me through this difficult time of starting a new job and the loss. I have grown in to this position and it is amazing — every day brings a new adventure.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I just love meeting new seniors and telling them about the center. Having one on one conversations and learning about the lives they have lived blows me away. e have veterans in their 90’s that are so interesting and still active. I really enjoy bringing seniors together — a large part of our senior community are widowed and transplants.

e have many seniors that have had to leave their homes due to death or illness and move with family members or into senior housing. hen we have these folks come in they are scared and feel alone, like the rst day at a new school. It brings me great joy to help them join in the activities and make friends — I see them blossom. They are so appreciative of the Senior Center. The Fayetteville Senior Center truly changes the lives of seniors!

What are some of the goals you have in your position as Director?

Since we are a nonprofit I am always thinking about ways to raise awareness for donations and outreach. I have been looking at senior playground equipment. I would like for the seniors to have a secure outdoor area to be active. The senior playground would be a wonderful addition for providing outdoor exercise to the senior community.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I really enjoy nature, hiking, canoeing and photography. Relaxing to live music brings me great joy. I also enjoy painting.

What is an interesting fact about yourself?

I love music from the 1930s and ’40s. I have a large sense of humor. I have a large fossil and rock collection.