The heart of Wesley House

The beloved administrator of Wesley House is the heart of Atlanta’s assisted living facility, according to co-workers and residents.

Administrator Linda Hill has dedicated 22 years to the Christian-run senior living facility, serving as administrator for the past 16 years.

“She is Wesley House,” LaNora Russell, ten-year staff member said of Hill. “She keeps this place running.”

Wesley House currently has 35 residents and can house up to 42, Hill said. She has been with the facility since nearly the beginning when it opened up with just eight residents.

For the first few years, Hill worked as Activity Director and has assisted in everything from bathing and dressing residents to washing dishes, cleaning, and making special trips to pick things up for residents at the store.

Whatever it takes to put a smile on the faces of those around her, Hill is ready and willing to get it done.

“I’ve always been very hands-on,” Hill said. “But I’m nothing without my staff.”

Likewise, staff members like Russell say the facility would not be the same without Hill.

Hill is well-known by employees to hand out the most thoughtful Christmas gifts, as well as always treating her staff with gift cards and candy throughout the year to thank them for their great work ethic.

“She does so much for her employees that she doesn’t have to do,” Russell said.

Hill said she loves hosting the open house Christmas parties at the facility and handing out Valentine’s Day gifts to everyone.

Hill said, another favorite occasion of hers is when the facility hosts a sit-down formal Thanksgiving dinner each year for residents, their families, and the staff.

“I am a gift giver,” Hill said. “I’m all about our residents. We are family here and I think that is what sets us apart. I treat everyone here like they are my own family.”

As the administrator, Hill is responsible for all the behind-the-scenes work required to keep the facility running smoothly. In addition, Russell said Hill truly has the magic touch when it comes to keeping Wesley House residents happy. Staff members and residents alike adore Hill.

Hill recounted memories of residents that she has gotten especially close to, including one little lady called Skippy who would wait outside Hill’s office every Thursday to ride with her to get a vanilla milkshake.

Most Thursdays, in fact, one might see Hill making the trek down U.S. Highway 59 in Atlanta to pick up ice cream, shakes, or even sodas for residents during happy hour at Sonic Drive-in. Anything Hill can do to make residents of Wesley House happy, she is more than happy to provide.

When asked why Hill chose her job, she responded by saying that when she was hired on as activity director, she hadn’t actually been around elderly people much. Then, in July 2005, Hill lost her beloved grandmother and felt a void in her life, so she began praying and crying.

At that moment, she felt God speak to her.

“It was as if God said ‘Linda, I have given you a facility full of grandparents,’” Linda said. “It’s a calling, and I just love it here.”

Hill said the residents are all so loving and affectionate.

“We truly view them as our family here,” Hill said. “When Skippy passed, my heart was absolutely broken.”

Each loss is hard on Hill, Russell, and the other staff members because they truly view residents as a part of one great big family.

“I love it here, it’s the best place for me,” Hill said. “But I could not do it without a great staff and great supervisors.”

Hill said if there is anything she’d most want to convey to others regarding Wesley House, it is that she wants residents to feel at home in the facility and that residents’ families shouldn’t feel guilty for allowing their loved ones to be cared for at Wesley House assisted living facility.

“You can rest assured if you’re loved one is here, they are in great hands,” Hill said. “We love each resident in their own uniqueness and strive to find what works for each person in the way of adjusting to their new environment and expanding on it.”

Hill said she wants families with loved ones who consider Wesley House assisted living facility to know that they should be able to continue to live their own lives without worry because helping provide top-notch care is what Hill and her quality staff members are there for–A job they take very seriously and love.

Hill said residents get up to all sorts of fun activities, such as board games, bingo– you name it.

“They are spoiled rotten here,” Hill said, laughing. She said she loves to hear that when a resident takes a trip to visit family they will oftentimes say they are ready to “get back home” to Wesley House.

Hill herself has raised two children while working at the facility, both of whom have worked there and learned the value of giving back to their community. Hill has one son, Kade Hill, who married his lovely wife Madelynn last spring; and one daughter, Allie Hill who has been a great help with resident activities.

Hill’s husband of 27 years, Kelly Hill, also helps out with maintenance and other odds and ends–including cooking steaks for their Christmas party.

“That’s my time to give back to our staff,” Linda Hill said. “Kelly cooks, and I pick out the gifts.

During the difficulties faced around the world with COVID lockdowns a couple of years back, Hill said she and staff did all they could to help families stay in touch with their loved ones, including helping them Facetime anytime they wanted to see their families.

With the horrors of COVID behind us, Hill said Wesley House continues to do its very best to accommodate each individual resident to make them feel comfortable and cared for.

“We pray over our residents, staff members, and Wesley House family daily,” Hill said. “I always say, If you can’t be at home, this is a great place to be.”

To learn more about Wesley House assisted living facility, give them a call at 903-7966300 or visit their Facebook page by searching ‘Wesley House Assisted Living Facility’ or go straight to their Website, wesleyseniorliving.com.