When Amanda Caputo walks through the dining room at The Bristal Assisted Living in Garden City, she’s greeted by name. Residents smile as she clears plates, resets tables, and moves confidently from one task to the next. One recent afternoon, when a supervisor paused nearby, a resident immediately spoke up.

“She’s doing a very good job,” said Sondra Cain, a longtime resident at The Bristal. “You don’t need to worry.”

For Caputo, moments like that are deeply meaningful.