What Elderado Taught Me

It’s a strange feeling writing this final entry. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because there’s too much I could say. Too many lessons, too many moments, too many people I want to thank to fit into a single blog post. My internship at Elderado has officially come to a close, and while I knew this would be a learning experience, I didn’t realize how much it would shape me, both as a marketing professional and as a person.

Over the last few months, I’ve written a lot about growth. I’ve talked about learning to be consistent, about seeing progress in small steps, about finding purpose in the quiet, behind-the-scenes work. This time, I want to talk about something else: the people, the process, and what it really means to work on something that matters.

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Learning by Doing (and Sometimes by Redoing)

When I started this internship, I had a decent understanding of social media, at least in the traditional sense. I knew how to write a caption, edit a reel, and keep things on-brand. But what I’ve learned here goes beyond algorithms and engagement. I’ve learned how to be intentional with every word. I’ve learned how to spot the difference between content that fills a feed and content that serves a purpose. I’ve learned that social media in eldercare isn’t about trends or a viral — it’s about slowly building trust.

From carousel breakdowns and interview blogs to YouTube captions and podcast recaps, I was given the chance to create content that could actually help someone. Maybe even make their life a little less overwhelming. And that realization, that what I’m doing isn’t trendy content trying to get someone to purchase something but support, has completely reshaped the way I approach marketing.

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What Elderado Taught Me About Marketing (and Myself)

There’s a lot of talk about “finding your voice” in marketing. But here, I learned how to listen. To understand our audience , whether it’s a caregiver trying to make an impossible decision, or a retirement home director sharing their experience, and shape content that speaks to them, not at them.

I learned that tone matters. That formatting matters. That accessibility isn’t an afterthought. And I learned that you don’t have to choose between being informative and being human. You can be both, and in eldercare, you have to be both.

There were moments of frustration too, of course. Moments where a post didn’t land the way I’d hoped, or where I stared at a caption for far too long. But I started to see those moments as part of the process. Because clarity takes work, and good writing doesn’t happen by accident.

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The People Behind the Work

As much as I’ve learned about content and strategy, the most impactful part of this internship has been the people I’ve worked with. From thoughtful feedback to casual Slack messages to full-blown brainstorms, I’ve felt supported, challenged, and encouraged every step of the way.

There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who care deeply, not just about the product, but about the people it serves. Elderado is small but mighty, and being part of a team that prioritizes integrity and empathy in everything they do has made all the difference.

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A Thank You (Actually, a Few)

To Daniel: thank you for your mentorship, your trust, and your calm confidence. You’ve built something with so much heart, and I feel lucky to have been part of it. Your willingness to let me take ownership, explore ideas, and learn out loud has made this experience unforgettable.

To the rest of the Elderado team, our partners, and everyone who made time to speak with me, thank you for showing me what meaningful work really looks like.

And finally, to you (whoever’s reading this) thank you. For engaging with Elderado’s content, for supporting our mission, for making the work matter. You’ve reminded me why storytelling is powerful, and why the right kind of marketing can make a real impact.

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Written by Mayssam Fadili, Marketing Intern, Elderado.ca