October 28, 2024
For nearly 20 years, Senida Delahmet has been a quiet, hardworking force that helps keep Deerfield’s community shining.
Since starting her career at Deerfield on January 6, 2006, Senida has become more than just the Environmental Services Lead in charge of the housekeeping team. She’s a trusted leader, a friend to residents, and a source of inspiration for her team. But her journey to Deerfield and the United States is a testament to resilience and adaptability.
Senida’s story begins in Bosnia, where she lived through the devastating Bosnian War in the early 1990s.
Thousands perished during the armed conflict, and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights reported that more than 2.2 million people fled their homes. At that time, it was the largest displacement of people in Europe since the end of World War II.
Senida and her family were among those who fled her homeland. For many years, they lived as refugees in Germany. After the War ended, she returned to Bosnia, only to find her home destroyed, and while her parents survived, many of her other family members were gone.
“Nothing was left of home. Everything was gone, no house. A lot of family members died,” she said. The weight of that loss was hard to bear, and her husband decided they needed to start fresh. “We cry every day. He lost a lot of family. Me too.”
In 2001, Senida and her family moved to the United States, seeking a safer life for their children. Though Arizona was their first stop, they quickly realized the climate wasn’t right for them.
“Iowa is more like Bosnia, you know? I like the snow,” Senida said.
The Des Moines area offered an attractive blend of familiarity and opportunity, and the community was welcoming.
“People, they are so good, you know. Everybody welcomed us,” she said. “Everybody helped: neighbors and friends. It was easy for me to start. I was a little bit nervous, ‘How I will start with a different language, different culture,’ but it was really okay.”
Senida’s journey at Deerfield began thanks to her husband, who had worked there as a custodian. When a housekeeping position opened, she applied despite her initial concerns about her English skills. Little did she know that her dedication and hard work would soon make her an indispensable part of the community.
“I started in housekeeping, and after two years, (a human resources administrator) asked if I could help out in a leadership role until they hired someone,” Senida said. She was hesitant at first. “I said, ‘You see, my English is not great.’”
But the community’s leadership reassured her, saying, “We will help you, just help us.”
What began as a temporary role soon became permanent. Her leadership style — grounded in empathy, fairness, a strong sense of organization, and a hands-on approach — quickly earned the respect of her team.
“I never just sit. I’m always helping, checking what needs to be better,” she said. “I think they like how I set up the schedule and how I always try to make things easier.”
Today, Senida leads a team of 14, including 12 housekeepers and two laundry staff. She believes in setting high standards and ensuring that her team feels supported.
“I don’t want to push anyone to the point where they don’t like to work anymore,” she said. “If they need help, I always help.”
Senida’s relationship with residents at Deerfield, an Immanuel Signature Community, goes beyond simply keeping their spaces clean. She believes in the importance of building connections and taking the time to know the people she serves.
“I spend time with the residents, and we talk about their families and mine,” she said. “I feel they need to know who comes to their home, who cleans their home.”
Her dedication to her work, team, and residents shone brightly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was challenging for everyone in the community.
“When COVID started, many people were nervous. Housekeeping is not an easy job, but I said, ‘We protect ourselves, and we have to work,’” Senida said. Despite the risks, she remained a comforting presence for many residents, offering them a clean home and a sense of reassurance during uncertain times.
“Senida is truly exceptional,” said Taylor Hagedorn, Immanuel's Des Moines Regional Retirement Living Consultant. “Her attention to detail, proactive approach, and daily compassion sets her apart, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.”
Outside work, Senida enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren, reading, crocheting, and knitting — skills passed down to her from her mother, who still lives in Bosnia. Although she has no plans to retire soon, her sons sometimes mention that she may eventually reside at Deerfield one day.
For Senida, Deerfield is more than just a place to work — it’s a place filled with meaningful relationships and a deep sense of belonging. Her commitment to the residents and her team is evident in everything she does, from meticulously preparing early morning schedules to ensuring no one feels overwhelmed by their workload.
“I really think to be here, to work with these people, you know, I feel like they’re my family,” she said.
