We’re in the middle of a pandemic and one of the biggest concerns family members have is that their aging relatives are safe and happy. Seniors are the most at-risk; many having spent the past several months in isolation.
People have reasonable concerns about moving into a community during these times. Not only is it your job to put their anxieties at ease, but also to make sure that your community is truly a place that offers a safe and positive environment.
In fact, depending on the practices of your facility, there may be many benefits to moving into a community that should be pushed to the forefront.
Socialization
Loneliness can lead to other health issues and aging alone can be detrimental. While it’s important to practice social distancing, seniors that are living alone may be struggling through these times. When we’re so focused on the physical regulations of isolation, we can often forget about the emotional ramifications. Now is the time to create planned social interactions for your community.
If you need ideas for social distancing activities, we compiled a small list of ideas that should help you maintain safe engagement.
Safety
It’s no surprise that safety is the number one priority of all senior living communities right now. Since family members are unable to check-in on seniors, your community may be an assurance for those worried about their relative’s wellbeing. There are benefits to having an on-call medical staff available. Not only that, but the staff is also there to check up on residents that may be at risk of falling, which is one of the leading causes for injuries to those over 65.
Do your marketing materials reflect the benefits residents receive? While you may not be getting many new residents during these times, people will remember how your facility handled the pandemic.
Meals and maintenance
If the family can’t visit or prepare their food for them, it can be difficult for seniors to prepare nutritious meals. Senior living communities have this covered and it’s easy to advocate for your meal plans.
Alongside this, maintenance issues that would make a senior’s house inaccessible are covered. Any repairs that would require expensive outsourcing are maintained by the facility.
During these times, it’s important to put this information out there. Even if people’s reservations outway your ability to make a new sale, people will remember your facility when the pandemic ends. Regardless of the circumstances, people are always going to prefer the community that puts their resident’s needs first.