NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Assisted Living Association announced Sherion “Shae” Cook is the recipient of the organization’s prestigious Outstanding Department Director award at their Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans.

Cook, a LaPlace resident, has been employed in the Adult Residential Care/Assisted field, for nine years, and a Department Director at Brookdale Kenner for over a year.

When a house fire, tornado and emergency surgery of an immediate family member affected her life, most thought it would be devastating for her to overcome.

However, Cook demonstrated leadership in the face of this adversity and continued to foster excellent working relationships with her peers, residents, family members and vendors.

On countless occasions, Cook demonstrates proactive leadership and her nomination letters distinguish her presence as: “the backbone of our management team,” “our therapist,” “a proactive leader,” “extremely caring,” “the most efficient manager I have worked with in the last 18 years” and “her warm glow and huge heart is always felt around our community.”

The Association chooses recipients from nominations submitted from across the state. Winning criteria is based on a commitment to providing outstanding, quality care and service to residents in the Adult Residential Care/Assisted Living communities where the work.

Currently, 12.5 percent of Louisiana residents are of senior status and nearly 6,500 Louisianans are residents in Adult Residential Care (Assisted Living) communities and this need continues to grow.

Adult Residential Care/Assisted Living provides residents with the care they need to perform activities of daily living, medication management, social activities, housekeeping, meals and transportation; many communities also offer dementia care programs and health-related services.

Adult Residential Care/ Assisted Living is a contributor to local economies and provides more than 3,300 jobs in the state.