Tips for Visiting Senior Living Communities

When searching for personal care homes, families often overlook the critical distinction between national chain organizations and local, family-owned and operated facilities. This difference can significantly affect the quality of life for residents. Family-owned personal care homes offer a unique, personalized experience that larger corporate entities often struggle to replicate. Let's explore the benefits of choosing a family-owned personal care home.The Personal Touch of Family-Owned Personal Care HomesFamily-owned personal care homes are typically founded with a mission that transcends profit. These homes are often established by families who have a personal investment in providing high-quality care, inspired by their own experiences with elder care. This personal touch translates into an environment that feels more like a home than an institution.Residents Come FirstIn family-owned personal care homes, the focus is on the residents rather than solely on business. These homes prioritize caring for both residents and staff, ensuring that the needs of individuals are met with compassion and understanding. By treating the business as an extension of their family, the quality of care reflects a genuine concern for residents, making them feel valued and respected.Hands-On LeadershipA standout feature of family-owned personal care homes is the active involvement of the owners in daily operations. This accessibility fosters open communication between residents, families, and staff. Owners who engage directly with the community help create a culture that feels like an extended family. This direct involvement not only motivates staff but also inspires a supportive and cohesive environment.Everyone Has a NameIn family-owned and operated personal care homes, every team member is empowered to make decisions and respond attentively to the needs of residents and their families. Unlike large corporations with multiple layers of management, family-owned homes maintain personal connections with both residents and staff. Employees are recognized as individuals with names and purposes, which is reflected in the quality of care provided.Benefits for Staff and ResidentsThe advantages of choosing a family-owned personal care home extend beyond the residents themselves. Staff members also experience a range of benefits that contribute to a positive work environment.Happy Staff, Happy ResidentsFamily-owned homes prioritize the well-being of their staff just as much as that of their residents. There is a clear correlation between satisfied staff and happy residents. In these homes, staff members are treated with respect and care, fostering a nurturing environment. When team members face personal challenges, the entire community comes together to provide support, leading to a harmonious atmosphere that benefits everyone involved.Fair PricingFamily-owned personal care homes often have the flexibility to offer more affordable pricing compared to national chains. Their business decisions are based on caring for residents and staff as part of their family, rather than solely on financial gain. While cost is a significant consideration in choosing a personal care home, family-owned facilities frequently provide a more cost-effective solution without compromising on quality.Enhanced Family RelationshipsFamily-owned homes not only benefit residents and staff but also enhance family relationships. By sharing caregiving responsibilities with professionals, families can focus on spending quality time with their loved ones rather than being overwhelmed by caregiving tasks. This shift allows for more meaningful interactions and the creation of lasting memories.Choosing a family-owned personal care home offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families. The personalized care, hands-on leadership, and strong community ties inherent in these homes provide a nurturing setting that promotes well-being and peace of mind. For families seeking a compassionate and resident-centered approach to elder care, family-owned personal care homes represent an invaluable option.If you feel that a family-owned personal care home might make a great option for you, or your loved one - we would love to meet you!  Contact Lindsey Jester today at 330-692-8628.

In the realm of senior care, the choice between a national chain and a family-owned personal care home can significantly impact the quality of life for residents and their families. Family-owned personal care homes offer a unique blend of personalized care, community integration, and emotional warmth that larger corporate facilities often struggle to replicate. Family-owned personal care homes are often established with a mission that transcends profit. These homes are typically founded by individuals or families who have a personal stake in providing high-quality care, often inspired by their own experiences with elder care. This personal investment translates into a care environment that feels more like a home than an institution.Personalized and Resident-Centered CareOne of the primary benefits of family-owned personal care homes is their ability to offer personalized, resident-centered care. Unlike larger facilities, where care can be standardized and impersonal, family-owned homes can tailor their services to meet the specific needs and preferences of each resident. This approach ensures that residents receive the attention and care they deserve, fostering a sense of dignity and respect.A Homelike EnvironmentFamily-owned personal care homes often provide a more homelike and comfortable environment compared to larger corporate facilities. The smaller scale of these homes allows for a more intimate setting where residents can form close relationships with staff and fellow residents. This sense of community can be incredibly beneficial for older adults, promoting social interaction and reducing feelings of isolation.Benefits for FamiliesThe advantages of choosing a family-owned personal care home extend beyond the residents themselves. Families also experience a range of benefits that can ease the transition and ongoing experience of having a loved one in care.Peace of MindKnowing that their loved ones are in a nurturing and attentive environment provides families with peace of mind. Family-owned homes often have a reputation for being more responsive and accessible, with owners and managers directly involved in day-to-day operations. This involvement ensures that any concerns or issues can be addressed promptly and personally.Enhanced Family RelationshipsWhen the burden of caregiving is shared with professionals in a family-owned personal care home, family relationships can improve. Families are free to focus on spending quality time with their loved ones rather than being overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities. This shift can lead to more meaningful interactions and the creation of lasting memories.Cost-EffectivenessWhile cost is always a consideration, family-owned personal care homes can offer a more cost-effective solution compared to larger facilities or home modifications. These homes typically include a comprehensive package of services, which can be more economical than hiring private caregivers or adapting a home to meet an older adult's needs.The Impact on StaffA family-owned personal care home not only benefits residents and their families but also positively impacts the staff who work there.Empowered and Engaged StaffIn family-owned settings, staff members are often empowered to make decisions and respond to the needs of residents and their families. This empowerment leads to a more engaged and motivated workforce, which directly translates into better care for residents. Staff members in these environments are more likely to feel valued and respected, which enhances their job satisfaction and performance.A Sense of CommunityWorking in a family-owned personal care home often feels like being part of an extended family. The close-knit nature of these homes fosters a supportive work environment where staff members know each other and the residents personally. This familiarity and camaraderie can lead to a more harmonious and effective care environment.Choosing a family-owned personal care home offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families. The personalized care, homelike environment, and strong community ties inherent in these homes provide a nurturing setting that promotes well-being and peace of mind. For families seeking a compassionate and resident-centered approach to elder care, family-owned personal care homes represent an invaluable option.Learn more about REWARD Senior Care and what makes our community unique as a family-owned and run personal care home in Turtle Creek.  We would love to meet you!  Contact us for a tour today.

To meet the needs of a workforce seeking affordable housing in some of the highest cost of living parts of the country, senior living providers are taking matters into their own hands.Two such operators, Naples, Florida-based Moorings Park in Naples and St. Paul, Minnesota-based Presbyterian Homes and Services, have a variety of projects underway to meet these needs.Moorings Park, in a joint venture with real estate developer K2 Developers, acquired a Super 8 hotel and has been in the process of renovating it since September 2022, according to Mary Morton, chief financial officer of The Moorings Park Institute, Inc.Part of the reason for doing so was addressing the immediate need expressed by workers who couldnt afford to live in the area, where the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,000 per month.We acquired [the] hotel in order to deliver much needed housing in a rapid manner relative to ground up development projects, which often take at least four years to get approved, built and stabilized, Morton said.For Presbyterian Homes and Services, the need for housing was found through an employee survey, where 19% of workers expressed an interest in workforce housing if the company could provide it, according to Senior Vice President Jon Fletcher.If they couldnt find affordable housing, they may be forced to relocate elsewhere, potentially impacting their ability to continue working with us, Fletcher said. We view that as a very high percentage of our employees, thats upwards of 1,400 of our employees.To address the need, Presbyterian Homes and Services acquired an existing independent living and assisted community and converted a portion of the units for workforce housing purposes. After the acquisition in September 2023, the first employees have already moved in and more are on the way, according to Fletcher.An immediate needFor Moorings Park, the acquisition of the Super 8 hotel turned out to be immediately beneficial.The property was fully leased until just recently, because about two weeks after we acquired the property, our area was directly hit by Hurricane Ian, Morton said. We were fortunate to be able to provide much needed housing or immediate housing for those individuals who worked at Moorings Park and other local employers who lost their homes or had their homes badly damaged during the storm.While renovations are still underway, Morton added there has been positive feedback from the employees that have been living there so far.In addition to the hotel, the Moorings Park Foundation collaborates with Habitat for Humanity to provide financial assistance for employees to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home and is helping fund the conversion of an old golf course into housing that will be available for essential workers and seniors through a public/private partnership between the county and two other local foundations. The project is noted to be the first of its kind in Florida.Through discussions with employees, Fletcher said Presbyterian Homes and Services was able to identify a need of 20 to 40 apartments in the markets of St. Paul and Bloomington, Minnesota, and Stillwater, Minnesota. With its current offerings, the communities are designed to be independent senior living communities, and through the Fair Housing Acts age exemption, 20% of those apartments can be occupied by individuals younger than 55, allowing for 20 to be used by employees.Despite Presbyterian Homes still being early in the process for allowing workforce housing, Fletcher said there is a known demand. When the housing opportunity was communicated to employees, he said around 40 responded and said they were interested in living there.We know theres demand, Fletcher said. At the same time, we also know employees need to terminate or wait until their current lease is ended, wherever theyre living.Another community that has been offering workforce housing, at Lake Minnetonka, consistently houses 30 employees. The net promoter scores from those employees are higher than other employees and their length of stay with the company is about twice as long.We find that those employees end up being what we call trees for the organization in terms of their longevity. It really helps to provide them with a stable affordable housing option, Fletcher said.With its latest project, Presbyterian Homes and Services charges between $800 and $1,500 for rent for all residents, making it intentionally affordable. The cost was determined by charging 60% of the median area income to keep prices below market rate.Additionally, having affordable housing readily available has allowed both companies to fill vacant positions with foreign workers, whether they are nurses from the Philippines for Presbyterian Homes and Services or seasonal staff from the hospitality industry for Moorings Park.Based on the current successes seen through the programs, both Fletcher and Morton said there are plans to add additional workforce housing solutions to their respective companies, though it is dependent on the demand.Navigating housing challengesThere are challenges associated with providing workforce housing. Despite being faster than developing from the ground up, zoning and permitting can slow a project down, not in my back yard pushback from area residents and businesses due to the stigma of affordable housing.The hotel acquired by Moorings Park, for example, despite being acquired in September 2022, is still obtaining the necessary zoning and permits for the renovations and as such an anticipated completion date for the project cant be determined at this time.Its just the process. Its very complicated, Morton said.Another challenge, particularly for providers that operate in multiple regions, is determining where to put housing for employees. According to Fletcher, identifying areas with high concentrations of employees who want to live in provided housing is the key.Its probably going to be more challenging to make it work in areas where we dont have high concentrations of employees, he said. The reality is that even if you do provide employee housing, there might not be a huge percentage of your employees that want to live in housing that you provide as well, theres probably a stigma associated with that.Because employers are providing housing for employees, theres also the chance of blurring the lines between personal and professional life for residents. To avoid this, Morton suggests utilizing a property manager to handle day to day tasks, alongside implementing policies to promote fairness and transparency in housing related matters and smooth out the relationship between employer and employee.Another approach is having a physical separation for the work and tenant experience, as well as providing privacy for tenants, which is what Fletcher said his company has been implementing.In the latest building that we acquired, we are targeting to have all the employees live on a certain floor. Its easier for them to just kind of check out and go to their own floor so theyre not always having to interact with residents if they dont want to, he said.For senior living providers looking to offer workforce housing, Morton suggests bringing on a development partner. Even if the project hadnt worked out, she said, Moorings Park would have acquired an asset and it wouldnt have been an economic drain.Forming a joint venture with our development partner allowed us to leverage their strengths and expertise, mitigate risks and access additional resources, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and sustainable business model, she said.Fletcher said he encourages other senior living providers to pursue affordable housing, despite the challenges, as it benefits the greater market.I would just encourage folks to try. They dont necessarily need to try to bite off 100, 200 or 500 units at a time. Just small pockets of affordable units could probably go a long way, he said.