Heart of the Matter Blog

In 2019, the theme of the LeadingAge national conference was "What If...." It encouraged members to consider new possibilities and alternate viewpoints such as: What if all individuals lived their later years with dignity and respect? What if jobs in our field were valued and coveted? What if all older adults had access to high-quality services and supports?

St. Elmo's fire is a weather phenomenon that produces an electrical discharge on or around a ship or aircraft during a storm. Regarded as a sign of protection from St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors, the sailors in ancient times believed this "fire" signified salvation since "the phenomenon occurs most often toward the end of a storm." At nearly 73 years young, my dad's optimistic attitude has been a steadfast reminder that some good can be found in the bad.

Although March 5 is National Employee Appreciation Day, it's never too late to express your appreciation to employees and recognize their hard work and dedication--especially through these unprecedented times. Here are some ways you can "Share Your Heart" and boost morale among staff.

As news of the COVID-19 pandemic broke, it drove fear, anxiety, and uncertainty to new levels throughout retirement communities across the nation. To provide normalcy and give residents something to look forward to amid the crisis, two senior living communities challenged the status quo and decided to elevate their already stellar culinary operations. The culinary teams at Brethren Village and Garden Spot Village were charged with creating excitement around "the love of food."

As long-term care providers, large and small, our missions focus us on service to others and meeting the needs of those entrusted to our care. Each day, we demonstrate the purest meaning of care as each of us gives of ourselves for the betterment of others.

In a year of chaos, stress, and uncertainty, 2020 showed the rest of the world the incredible efforts of our members to put in place measures that ensure the safety of residents and staff. It also cast a bright light on the workforce challenges that have been plaguing the long-term care community for years.

We often delve into things like enhanced engagement, disruption, and being person-centric in leadership books, articles, and sessions - all of which are undoubtedly key components of the leadership styles we most naturally respect and follow. As a lifelong learner and leadership junkie, I often dig deep into these topics in my reading and I recently came across a powerful quote in a Harvard Business Review article.