Lessons Learned

I’ve learned a lot about senior care and working with families since opening Senior Care Authority in 2017.  Below are a few things that stand out:

1. Planning Ahead is Critical-unless we’re not around anymore, all of us are aging every day.  People who look ahead & think about their preferences for care, make provision for paying for that care, & share their wishes with a loved one are well on their way to living out their life in the way in which they desire.  For people who don’t take those steps, it often ends up being a stressful, chaotic & confusing time for everyone involved when a care need arises.
2. Community Appearance Does Not Always Equate to Quality of Care-it’s easy to get caught up by the bouquets of fresh flowers, the pizza oven and the in-house movie theater when touring a community.  All of those things are “nice to haves” and can enhance the quality of life for residents.  However, most people move to assisted living communities for the personal care & oversight they need.  The experience & skill of the nursing staff & leadership team is critical.
3. Good Communication Goes Both Ways-sometimes I get a call from a family after a loved one has moved into a community, & the family is upset about something not done the way the new resident likes it.  I’ll ask them if they have discussed the concern with the appropriate person, & most of the time the response is no.  Most issues can be worked out if the right people are involved, & if both parties take the time to sit down and discuss concerns before they become a major problem. 
4. It Takes Time to Adjust to Change at Any Age-change for all of us is hard, but especially if it involves downsizing from a 5000 square foot home, or living separately from your spouse of 50 years, or moving to a new town.  Some people adjust to the changes quickly, while others take much longer.  For most people, once they settle in to a new community, they thrive.  It’s an opportunity for care and socialization with their peers that they may not have had for years.  Give it at least 90 days for a new resident to settle into their new home.
5. There is No Perfect Community-just as there are no perfect people, there are no perfect communities.  Meals might be cold, falls still happen, and mistakes are made.  However, the vast majority of senior living professionals truly care about the happiness and well-being of their residents.  The past 2 ½ years have been challenging for everyone, but especially for people working in senior living communities.  The nurses & administrators & dining staff & activities team & facilities staff & everyone else working in a community continue to show up every day because they value their residents & take pride in caring for them.