Your Health Ally in Independent Living: Meet Kelly Strydom, Wellness Navigator

Category News & Blog | Time | Published July 10, 2025

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At Cottage Grove Place, whole-person wellness is a way of life rooted in relationships, and helping lead the way is Kelly Strydom, our new health and wellness navigator. Her role is a blend of advocate, coordinator, confidant and guide, so residents always feel supported in managing their well-being.

Since joining our team in October 2024, Kelly has brought warmth, experience and a hands-on approach to assisting residents, particularly those in independent living. “I tell residents that my job is to help keep them healthy and independent for as long as possible,” she says. “But if and when they need a higher level of care—assisted living, skilled nursing or rehab—I help them transition smoothly and support them every step of the way.”

Wellness That Feels Personal

With 15 years of health care experience, Kelly brings a deep well of knowledge to her work with older adults—shaped by early hands-on care with individuals with disabilities, leadership in memory care and a strong focus on brain injury rehabilitation across a range of services.

At Cottage Grove Place, she’s not just coordinating care, she’s paying attention to the little things. A lingering cough. A missed activity. A subtle shift in behavior. And when something seems off, she follows up.

That follow-through matters. “We had a resident who suddenly started acting confused and knocking on neighbors’ doors,” Kelly recalls. “She had a history of mild confusion, but this was different. I reached out to her family, and it turned out to be a severe urinary tract infection. She got the care she needed and recovered. It’s moments like that when staying connected makes a difference.”

Building Trust From Day One

From the first day a resident moves in, Kelly is there to welcome them, and not just with information. She helps them get set up with their Lifeline medical alert system, learns about their needs and starts building trust.

“I want them to feel comfortable reaching out,” she says. “Because once that relationship is there, everything else becomes easier—whether it’s checking in after a fall, helping schedule therapy or just being a sounding board.”

She also works closely with families, providing a consistent point of contact that many adult children appreciate. “It’s reassuring for them to know someone is looking out for their parents and that they can reach out to me directly if something comes up,” she adds.

Wellness, One Conversation at a Time

A big part of Kelly’s job is guiding residents toward services they might not even realize are available. From in-house physical therapy to external medical referrals for occupational or speech therapy, Kelly connects the dots. And she doesn’t wait for a crisis.

“If I notice someone seems a bit off or tells me something in passing, I’ll follow up. Maybe it’s checking with their doctor, suggesting a class or just making sure they’re getting support,” she says. “It’s about making wellness approachable and ongoing, not overwhelming.”

She also works closely with our life enrichment team to design monthly health themes that encompass the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, ranging from physical and emotional to spiritual and vocational. Topics such as mental and gut health are explored through education, nutrition programming and a popular Lunch & Learn series.

Supportive Spaces, Empowered Residents

In addition to individual support, Kelly facilitates two ongoing support groups—one for Parkinson’s disease and another, newer group for dementia. What’s unique about the dementia group is that some participants are living with dementia themselves, not just caregiving for a loved one.

“It’s powerful,” Kelly says. “People in the early stages of dementia get to share their feelings, frustrations and fears, and hear others say, ‘I get it. I feel the same way.’ That sense of validation is huge.”

She also collaborates with our community’s fitness instructor to adapt classes for all levels, including “Motion Matters,” a beginner-friendly option that’s especially helpful for residents just starting a fitness journey. Drumming classes, water aerobics and balance-focused sessions round out a program designed to meet people where they are—and help them build confidence to do more.

A Community That Cares

Kelly was drawn to Cottage Grove Place because of its commitment to continuity of care. “In previous roles, I saw how hard it was when residents had to move away for a higher level of care,” she says. “Here, that transition can happen right within the community with LifeCare® and I can help guide that process with intention and support.”

She also meets regularly with health services team members to identify residents who may require additional support. This kind of proactive coordination helps ensure no one slips through the cracks. Transitions feel less like a disruption and more like a next step in a well-supported journey.

Real Wellness, Real Relationships

At Cottage Grove Place, our Health & Wellness Navigation Program™ is part of a broader commitment to whole-person well-being. But programs alone don’t build trust—people do. And with Kelly on your side, wellness becomes less about appointments and more about connection.

“It’s not just about being healthy; it’s about helping residents feel confident in how they manage their health and make decisions,” she says. “They don’t have to figure it all out alone.”

Interested in learning more? Contact us to meet Kelly and explore our Health & Wellness Navigation Program, discovering how we support whole-person wellness every day.


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