Director of Life Enrichment Emily Aguilar
Emily Aguilar discovered her true passion, working with seniors, while she gained experience planning general therapeutic recreation programs for the Northwest Special Recreation Association in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Now Emily brings that expertise to Residences at Deer Creek as Life Enrichment Director, as well as her special gift in connecting with residents, families, and peers. She and her team lead the design and implementation of outstanding programs developed to meet the psychosocial needs of our residents, including their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual needs.
Born in Warington, UK, Emily’s family came to Naperville, Illinois when she was age four. She obtained a BS degree in Recreation and Parks Administration with a Sequence in Therapeutic Recreation from Illinois State University. Emily is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Certified Club Wellness Trainer, and is certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention.
Emily has been trained to use the “Snoezlen Room,” a distinguishing feature of Residences at Deer Creek’s Memory Care community. Continuing staff education on using this controlled multisensory environment to create either a soothing or a stimulating experience will be an important skill she will share.
Emily values family; to be closer to her sister and toddler nephew, she not only made the move to Dyer, but also recently married. She enjoys swimming—especially diving and water polo. She also finds time to read, enjoying the ethical dilemmas of Jodi Picoult novels.
We welcome Emily’s drive to “always be doing something of value,” however the way of making others happy comes to her. We believe she will find many ways to serve with passion and expertise at Residences at Deer Creek.