Meet Chris Sides of Senior Solutions Management Group in Alpharetta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Sides.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my career as a professional chef in Charlotte, NC. In 1985, I was transferred to Atlanta as the Executive Chef for what was then Guest Quarters Hotels at Perimeter Center. In 1997, I transitioned to Senior Housing as a food service professional responsible for managing and directing dining services for Senior Care communities all over the US. Over the years I worked my way up to become the Senior VP of Operations for Horizon Bay Senior Communities. In 2004 I made the decision to found SSMG.

Starting in June of that year, in my basement with nothing but an idea and a laptop I set out to develop a senior care company on the belief that simplicity would conquer the complex, keep your goals simple and your purpose in front of you and all things are possible.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, we don’t know a smooth road. If it were not for the things we tried and failed we would not be the company we are today. When we get together we always make it a point to discuss our failures and ultimately what came of those failures. In the early days I slept on the floor of an empty apartment of a community because we couldn’t afford a hotel room, we learned to do with what we had and make the most of it. As I look back and reflect on our beginning, those days laid a strong foundation that supports us still today. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Senior Solutions Management Group story. Tell us more about the business.
SSMG owns operates 17 Senior Living communities in Georgia and Tennessee and in 2018 South Carolina.

Our communities offer assisted living which is help with the basics, bathing, dressing and grooming. We also provide housekeeping, laundry, activities and 3 meals per day plus snacks. Several of our communities offer care for the memory impaired such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Some communities have independent apartments for those who are still self functioning and enjoy the security that a congregate environment offers.

We are known for being an “all in” senior living offering. In other words, you pay one price each month. No additional charges are added for medication management or other health services.

I am most proud of our managers and associates who commit to working for us. We are a 24/7, 365-day operation. We never close up shop and go home. The responsibility that goes with that is daunting.

What sets us apart is that we are committed to the basics. We must everyday strive to master the basics. We need to master the scrambled egg, master the art of bed making, master the basic care task and master the game of bingo. If we can’t master those we can do nothing else.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Senior Housing has exploded with growth, not just in Atlanta but in the US. With over 20 years in the space, I’m not positive this rapid explosion is good. Currently there are more apartments than there are people to fill them. What will be an even bigger challenge is finding employees to staff these communities.

Hiring quality labor is in critical condition at the moment maybe even bordering on the dire. It is our biggest challenge and I only see it getting more challenging. Quality people with good work history are at a premium. I don’t see that changing.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3651 Peachtree Parkway, E351
  Suwanee, GA 30024
• Website: www.ssmgrp.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssmgrp/

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