New Orchard Valley Director Brings Award-Winning Senior Wellness Experience and Education

Orchard Valley at Wilbraham, a Benchmark Senior Living assisted living and Mind & Memory Care community, today announced that Emily Perkins has joined the community as its executive director.

At the assisted living community in Wilbraham, Mass., Perkins is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations using over a decade of experience working with seniors and a master’s degree in health administration and gerontology. Her experience includes having directed adult services for the town of Longmeadow and serving as vice president of health and wellness for the Glenmeadow retirement community.

Last year, Perkins and her team at Glenmeadow were proud to receive an award from LeadingAge Massachusetts for their exceptional contribution in the face of the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure that residents remained active and connected, they reinvented what it means to engage, play, learn and have fun using creative and technology-driven programs.

Perkins was drawn to Benchmark’s strong values, which include Called to Care, Better Together and Be the Benchmark. Also, the opportunity to work one-on-one with residents and their families and truly make a difference in their lives.

“Orchard Valley has an outstanding team, and I’m looking forward to expanding upon the excellent programs they already offer,” she said. “Retirement is a wonderful time of life. Benchmark makes it possible to connect with others and explore passions in meaningful ways. I’m excited for what this next chapter holds for our community.”

Perkins is an adventure seeker who loves exploring the beautiful New England landscapes while hiking, paddleboarding, and skiing in her free time.

“Emily exudes tremendous enthusiasm for thoroughly addressing the physical and social needs of our residents,” said Erin Domian, regional director of operations for Benchmark Senior Living. “She has fit into our community seamlessly, and we could not be more delighted to have her expertise.”

For over 20 years, Orchard Valley has provided some of Hampden County’s finest and most comprehensive care in a convenient location near medical facilities and downtown amenities. The community offers senior assisted living, memory care assisted living, assisted living with memory care and independent assisted living featuring 24/7 personalized care. They are also a respite care provider offering short-term support. In addition to rich social engagement throughout each day, such as live music, painting and baking, the community features spacious hotel-like living areas including a spa, private dining room, library and park-like outdoors.

To learn more about Orchard Valley at Wilbraham, visit our website.

About Benchmark Senior Living
Benchmark is a leading provider of senior housing in the Northeast, providing independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care options in 63 communities and across seven states. The Waltham-based company’s core values of Called to Care, Better Together and Be the Benchmark guide its mission to stay connected to who and what matters most: our residents, their families and our associates.

Benchmark is one of only two companies to be named to The Boston Globe’s Top Place to Work all 13 years that the honor has been given. Throughout its history, Benchmark has continually been recognized as a top workplace. The Great Place to Work Institute certified Benchmark for two straight years, and the company earned a place on FORTUNE’s 50 Best Workplaces in Aging Services list each of the two years that the magazine published the list.

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