A national survey of independent senior living residents reported that most residents feel safe living in an independent living community during the pandemic.
According to the survey, 93% of residents felt their community took the appropriate precautions to keep everyone safe and 77% of residents said they were “glad to be living in a community during COVID-19.” In fact, Enquire found that move in numbers increased by 95% from April to August.
These surveys affirm that communities have been diligently protecting their residents. They also provide strategies to improve the confidence of prospects, residents and staff. If you’re struggling to maintain resident satisfaction, here are some reasons why communities have positive residents and staff.
Residents engagement
One of the biggest benefits of working in a senior living community is immediate access to staff members.
Recent research attests to communities with the highest satisfaction rates have capitalized on their engagement tactics. As stay-at-home measures have been easing the past couple of months, seniors have begun socializing in-person and started outdoor activities and social distancing events.
It’s imperative to find ways to build a sense of community during these times. Isolation can cause feelings of loneliness, which in turn can lead to depression. Communities that bridge the technology divide for residents have also shown to have enhanced operations because, for the past couple of months, technology has been a necessary tool for socialization.
Enhanced dining experiences
Something that can elevate your living experience is an improved dining experience. This can include new varied meal options and cutting out meals that are served in common single-use serving containers. With health being a priority, it shouldn’t be limited to just following COVID protocols. Amenities such as eat-in and carryout dining has been the general response to COVID-19. Dining should be contact-free, free of add-on charges, and groceries should be available for purchase.
Active communication
Just as important it is with your staff, it’s equally as important to communicate through multiple channels to your residents. Communities with the highest satisfaction rankings are the ones that are proactive, repeatedly share their prevention tactics and prioritize internal communication. That means you should be sending messages out through email, text and even physical flyers. The reputation and integrity of your organization is on the line, and every action, or inaction, is under public scrutiny if anyone catches the virus. To weather the storm, you need to continue to keep tabs on how other providers are operating. Preparing for the worst will set you up for the best outcome.