In order for residents to feel appreciated and comfortable, they must feel "cared about," not simply "cared for." Many community constituents are currently unhappy because they are not treated as peers by their community management and staff, but rather, as patients.

In many cases, staff care and operations modules reflect the institutional nursing home ideologies of yesterday. We are now in the business of serving individuals in varying life stages from Independent Living, to Skilled Nursing Care. Each level of care needs service oriented products, and the benefit of a social confluence methodology which mandates socialization opportunities be inculcated into daily living patterns.

Individuals interested in Independent Living Choices have a plethora of choices these days, and even more right around the corner. Do you think your residents will be happy if they are not offered the same services and high standards that other communities are offering, especially if they feel they are treated as burdens, and not as guests? We cannot expect our residents to conform to us, for we need to conform to meet their needs. The burden of change will rest solely on us; on our industry, and our respective community management teams.

Communities that host the happiest residents and have the biggest bottom line, are the communities that prioritize resident health and life quality, above everything else. These are the communities that thrive, that have wait lists. Happy residents are your BEST marketing tool!

Many communities have embraced this ideology, and the staff and residents couldn´t be happier. Residents are planning their own focus groups, volunteering, mentoring, teaching… LIVING!