There are decent nursing homes and there are exceptional assisted living centers. There are terrible skilled facilities and then there are 5-star senior living communities that rival the best hotel chains in the country. You can find almost every level of quality in senior care out there, but don’t you want to become the leader in your community? Senior care is not only competitive – it is hyper-competitive. Developing and maintaining a strong position in your community takes a lot of work, but can be done. Let’s look at some ingredients that go into becoming a senior care leader in your community.
Calling Dr. Rock Star!
Administrators, directors of nursing, social workers and marketing directors need to get in their car and drive to as many physician’s practices as they can. How well do you know the attending physicians? Have you visited them on their turf? When was the last time you visited their office and brought them something? Relationships with physicians are a must. They need to know you and trust you. Ask them how you’re doing in terms of care and quality and don’t be afraid to get the truth. They can help to improve clinical outcomes and build your census.
I used to operate a geropsychiatric practice that consisted of 5 or 6 psychiatrists and a dozen therapists. We did all of our work in senior care centers. Psychiatric evaluations, therapy sessions, medication changes, and staff training were the services we provided. Some of the facilities we served went above and beyond when we showed up. They made us all feel like rock stars! Nurses would have all of the doctor’s charts ready, handed us freshly brewed coffee and donuts, and asked if they could provide lunch for us. Of course we loved all of the attention and would go around the community bragging about how great the staff is to anyone who would listen.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Leadership in health care? Checkout my Leadership CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)
All Reps are Welcome!
It’s funny how some facilities have certain attitudes towards outside representatives from various companies and vendors. I have seen every reaction from eyes rolling, to hiding in offices with the lights turned out. Why would the administrator run away from a rep? I know some must be time-sucking, boring, weird, or high-maintenance people, but don’t you want them to have a great impression of your building? How can you achieve this under your desk with the lights turned out playing Candy Crush?
Instead of hiding from your reps, welcome them in and make them feel comfortable. Treat them like friends and family. Manage your time with them wisely, but make sure their impression of you and your facility is positive. They are not a distraction, but an opportunity to help you network with outside referral sources. Working on all relationships with your sales reps can increase your visibility and reputation in the community.
Don’t Stop Believing
No one will believe in a care community that doesn’t believe in itself. In order to believe in what you’re doing, you have to do things right, and to do things right, employees need training and education. In order to stay ahead of the competition, continually offer training for your staff to improve quality of care and enhance quality of living within your facility. Keep them abreast of changes that are taking place in the industry and any new policies or procedures that can help them succeed.
Final Words on Becoming a Senior Care Leader
Do you want to be an average senior care community or a leader? Do you want to be the place where seniors dread going to or the community that has a waiting list of seniors? Is your facility one that makes families regret placement of their loved one or one that brings relief and satisfaction to family members? The only way to become a leader in your community is to become connected to that community. Physicians, case managers at hospitals, vendors and salespeople from various companies are all important, and you should have well-established and genuine relationships with these people. A successful community is one that is transparent and welcoming.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Leadership in health care? Checkout my Leadership CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)