The educational program kicks off Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. with staff learning to sign “Happy Birthday” to a resident who is deaf – the first session in an ongoing series.
RICHMOND, VA, July 14, 2026 — Care Advantage, one of Virginia’s most trusted and established home care providers for nearly 40 years, today announced a partnership with Commonwealth Senior Living at Chesterfield to launch an American Sign Language (ASL) education initiative. The program, designed to improve communication, accessibility, and quality of life for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, will launch on July 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Commonwealth Senior Living at Chesterfield (4931 Ridgedale Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23234). The first session teaches staff to sign “Happy Birthday” in ASL, so they can celebrate with a resident in her own language for the first time.
The initiative is led by Dan Buyas, Home Care Specialist at Care Advantage. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Buyas brings a lifelong immersion in Deaf culture to the program, providing hands-on ASL education for senior living staff. Through this training, Caregivers will gain practical communication tools that foster deeper relationships and more personalized care for seniors who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
“Home care is about meeting people exactly where they are,” said Misti Zirk, Vice President of Divisional Sales for Care Advantage. “Dan’s deep personal passion for serving the Deaf community has created a powerful opportunity to bring our two organizations together around a shared mission: removing communication barriers so every senior receives the compassionate, person-centered care they deserve.”
For many older adults living with hearing loss or deafness, communication barriers can contribute to feelings of isolation and reduced engagement. By bringing ASL education directly into the care setting, Commonwealth Senior Living is taking a proactive step to ensure every resident feels understood, respected, and fully included.
“Person-centered care begins with communication,” said Marc H. Raben, Executive Director of Commonwealth Senior Living at Chesterfield. “Learning American Sign Language allows our team to better connect with residents in a way that honors their individuality, preserves their dignity, and helps them feel truly at home.”
The educational series goes beyond basic vocabulary, teaching staff how to facilitate meaningful daily interactions that support independence and emotional well-being throughout the community. Buyas notes that even small breakthroughs in communication can have a profound, life-changing impact on a senior’s daily life. “When we take the time to learn how someone communicates, we are telling them they matter,” he said. “Something as simple as greeting a resident in their primary language creates immediate trust, comfort, and a true sense of belonging.”
The ASL training program will roll out to community team members beginning Thursday, July 16, and continue over the coming weeks, reflecting both organizations’ shared commitment to innovation, accessibility, and improving the lives of older adults in the Richmond area.
About Care Advantage
Since 1988, Care Advantage has provided in-home care through trained and licensed professional Caregivers, helping patients remain safe, healthy, and happy in their home environments. Every care plan is tailored to the individual, with a focus on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) across core service areas including personal care, household help, and companionship. As the flagship brand of Care Advantage, Inc., headquartered in Richmond, VA, Care Advantage is part of a family of eight trusted home care brands serving communities across Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. With decades of experience and a reputation built on compassionate, reliable care, Care Advantage remains committed to helping patients live with dignity and independence at home. To learn more about Care Advantage’s mission to lift up every community it serves, visit www.CareAdvHomeCare.com.
About Commonwealth Senior Living at Chesterfield
Commonwealth Senior Living provides independent living, assisted living, personal care, and memory care to seniors across Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Commonwealth Senior Living has become a leader in the senior living industry through our innovative signature programs, such as our award-winning Sweet Memories Alzheimer’s and dementia program, our Farm to Table dining, and our interactive communication tool, TSO Life, among others. As a Certified Great Place to Work® company for seven years in a row, Commonwealth Senior Living continues to pioneer new services to meet our goal of improving the lives of seniors, their families, and each other. The company is an active member of the Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA), Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA), Lifespan, Argentum, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing (NIC). For more information on Commonwealth Senior Living, visit www.CommonwealthSL.com.
Media Contact
For any inquiries, please contact Breanna Adams, Communications Manager at [email protected] or 408-390-3373.
