Your Match is Out There
You may be just launching your senior living community, or looking for a change to the structure of your organization: no matter the reasons, finding the perfect management company for your facility can be a daunting task.
There’s no one-size-fits-all conclusion to the search; every senior living community has different values, personalities, and goals. But, there are a few guidelines to help you make the right decision for your residents.
Several factors can affect the dynamic between the owners and operators of a senior living community, so it’s best to start with the basics of senior living management.
What is Senior Living Management?
Increasing industry demand has led to an influx of residents, resulting in higher costs, and more complex care structures. Many senior living communities are turning to management companies to help manage their facilities and ensure quality care and support for their residents.
A senior living management company should oversee residents’ healthcare and housing needs in a senior living community, helping create dynamic environments and experiences that highlight the community’s vision and values.
Most senior living management companies will develop and coordinate activity plans based on the community’s needs, help create, renovate and maintain outdoor spaces, and ensure the facility is compliant with state regulations.
A senior living management company should promote your community’s profitability and core values, while ensuring quality care for residents and a positive work environment for employees.
Principals of Senior Living Management
At Distinctive Living, these core pillars are the forefront of our mission:
- Mutual Trust & Respect
- Open Communication
- Teamwork
- Positive Working Environment
- Continuous Improvement & Development
- Honesty
- Accountability
- Passion
- Excellence
When choosing senior living management, it’s vital to gauge the company’s integrity and determine if its values match those of your community. Don’t be afraid to ask about their principles and missions!
What to Look For
Every senior living community is unique, and different management companies will appeal to each facility’s personality. Here are a few qualities that should be integral to all senior living management companies:
Honesty
Candor and transparency are two essential characteristics of a successful partnership. Look for a company that will provide direct answers to tough questions. Being told exactly what you want to hear doesn’t serve your community; being truthful works best for the good of all.
Being Proactive
Caring for seniors is a constant whirlwind of changing rules and policies. It’s crucial to stay on top of payroll, government programs, payment bundles, regulations surrounding skilled nursing providers, and much, much more.
You’ll want to find a management company with an experienced team and up-to-date strategies to help your facility stay current in this ever-changing industry. Prior knowledge and adaptability help communities react quickly to frequent funding and legislature changes.
Full-Service Solutions
If you are looking for high-value and excellent results, you’ll want to find a management company that avoids outsourcing. Outside contracts can lead to inefficiencies within your community and inconsistencies for your residents. Ethical hiring practices and labor management are critical.
Look for an organization that provides a full spectrum of systems, people, and resources.
Strategic Planning
A top-quality senior living management company should respect each unique senior living community, and plan future strategies based on the facility’s individual mission statement.
There should be no blanket solutions for planning a community’s personal vision for the future.
A Respectful Ear
Your senior living management company must understand and respect the voices of seniors within your community. Management should grasp what’s important to residents, and then deliver the appropriate products and services.
Seniors and their families deserve to be heard; they want choices, flexibility, and respect while receiving care for their physical and mental health. Keeping the lines of communication open will help ensure positive experiences for your residents.
Regulatory Compliance
Regulations for senior living facilities are more complicated than a standard living complex, and additional systems should be in place to protect residents.
Senior living management companies must be willing to comply with governing standards, and understand the impacts of these regulations on the wellbeing of your community and its members.
A Sharp Eye For Maintenance & Resident Care
A worthy senior living management company will ensure that nothing is overlooked within your facility. Maintenance and resident care should be kept to the highest standards for the health of community members by:
- Focusing on community safety and fall prevention.
- Ensuring rooms and units are secure.
- Addressing maintenance or custodial needs promptly.
- Implementing food safety processes.
- Being proactive with facility maintenance.
Above All
Take some time to consider the well-being of your residents and the goals of your community. Ultimately, you’ll want to build a partnership with a senior living management company based on mutual understanding and respect.
At Distinctive Living, we choose to engage with residents, families, and staff of all the senior living facilities we manage. Our mission is to maintain a close relationship with each board and owners, while ensuring our goals and values align with each unique community.
If you would like more information on whether a senior living management company is right for your facility, contact Distinctive Living for more details.
We are a compassionate and experienced team that would love to learn all about you and your community!
