Maddie Broadnax of Watercrest: Care staff superhero

By Amy Reinholds on May 13, 2025 in News Senior Living

Meet Maddie Broadnax, a med tech and resident care specialist at the Watercrest Myrtle Beach senior living community. She joined the staff at Watercrest in 2022 and is recognized for going above and beyond in caring for residents.

“It’s all about caring and letting individuals know they matter,” said Broadnax, whose background includes working as a CNA, HHA and private duty caregiver. “I truly believe that this is my calling to care for people who are in need of services.”

Coming full circle in a calling to care

Broadnax received her CNA training in Curacao, the Caribbean island country where she and her former husband lived for three years. She worked in hospitals, the maternity unit and the ER. When they returned to the U.S., her training qualified her to be an LPN, and she worked in skilled nursing facilities.

She transitioned to work as an administrative assistant for more than 20 years, including as a legal secretary in the payroll department at a CPA firm and as an assistant to the senior VP and director at a pharmaceutical company. She also worked in retail for a few years.

“Now I’ve come full circle into the medical field again,” she said.

Broadnax said that what she finds rewarding about resident care is “to know that I have made a difference in the residents’ lives, feeling productive in all that I do.”

A typical day

After clocking in, Broadnax greets the night staff and gets a report about the residents, including who is out of the facility and whether anyone required extra care overnight. She also gets a report of needed tasks that weren’t completed. For example, she’ll receive an update on the status of the laundry.

“Then I start my day as a med tech, giving out meds throughout the day. In between, I assist with activities of daily living as well.”

Working with other staff members is an important part of the job. “I’m a team player and assist in any capacity to give the best care possible to our residents,” she said.

Making a difference in the lives of residents

Working with residents over time, Broadnax celebrates moments of joy with individuals to create lasting memories and meaningful connections.

“I’ve found it to be so rewarding to have developed relationships and make a difference in the lives of the residents,” she said. “I allow them to express their worries and frustrations and sometimes can help them to do something positive or help them to achieve closure.”

She described a relationship with a resident who treated Broadnax as if she were a daughter, calling it a deep connection on a spiritual level. “She was a very sweet lady with lots of wisdom to give,” Broadnax said. “Whenever she knew I was in the building, this resident wanted only me! Of course, she knew I had to care for others, too.”

The woman’s family expressed deep appreciation for the care and relationship Broadnax provided throughout their mother’s life at Watercrest. Broadnax said she felt honored that the family wanted her to have something to remember the special bond she shared with their mother.

Advice for caregivers

“If you’re considering a career in senior living care, always be prepared for a rewarding but demanding role,” Broadnax said. “The work is physically hard and at times less than aesthetic, but ultimately rewarding.”

She advises people entering the field to “stay focused on developing strong communication and empathy skills.”

Her growth mindset influences her approach to her career. “I recommend that you seek any given opportunity to continue to learn and grow within the field.”

Broadnax shares these tips for staying motivated and passionate about caregiving work:

Always stay positive and ready to go the distance.
Create relationships.
Set a schedule.
Share your ideas.
Have a mission and set goals.
Prioritize tasks.
Continue to be productive in all you do.

Honoring care staff superheroes

Thanks for taking the time to learn about one of the superheroes recognized by Yardi Senior Living Suite clients. Watch for more stories about the dedicated care staff in senior living communities.