The Best Communication Happens Before the Crisis
In senior living, the most dangerous call you can receive isn't an emergency line ringing at 2:00am, it’s the 2:00 PM call from a resident’s daughter asking: "Did anyone notice the scrape on Mom’s elbow?" or "Why has Dad skipped breakfast two days in a row?" Once a family member spots a change before you do, the ground beneath you shifts. Even if it may be something minor, the silent question immediately forms in their mind: If they missed this, what else aren’t they seeing?
22 hours ago2 min read
Other Duties As Assigned
Managing an Assisted Living or Memory Care community is anything but traditional, especially as a nurse. I can’t tell you how many times over the years someone has asked me, "So, which hospital do you work for?" Nope. Not that type of nurse. Many nurses shift into senior living to step away from bedside nursing, only to realize very quickly that ALF and MC nursing is a whole different ballgame. It is an incredibly rewarding path, but it requires you to wear a dozen different
Sep 212 min read
Finding the Magic in the Madness: Why Loving Our Jobs Is Hard to Explain
If you’ve noticed things have been a bit quiet around here, I’ll be honest, I’ve had a serious case of summer! Living up North means summer is short and sweet. When the sun is shining, you soak up every single second before the snow shovels come back out. But beyond the sunshine, I was struggling with something else: how on earth do I put what we do into words? When you work in this field, time moves differently. You hit the ground running in the morning, dive headfirst into
Aug 282 min read
The Art of Stepping Back: Letting Go of Control in Senior Care
Letting go of control. This is a lesson I still work through every single day. Like many leaders in Assisted Living and Memory Care, I have a classic Type A personality. I like things done a specific way, and I thrive on the kind of meticulous organization that keeps a community running smoothly. Frankly, that’s understandable. We shoulder the health, wellness, and safety of vulnerable residents while simultaneously steering our teams. In this industry, being organized and m
Jun 172 min read
Breaking the Martyr Myth: Reclaiming Your Sanity in Senior Care
In healthcare, we have a notorious reputation for being martyrs, and unfortunately, we often subconsciously expect that same self-sacrifice from the people around us. I’ll be the first to admit that I fall into this trap myself. I’ve caught myself counting down the days of a grueling, long stretch of shifts, practically broadcasting how hard I’ve been working to anyone who would listen. It’s an exhausting cycle to be in, and it's a habit I am actively working to break. The re
Jun 111 min read
How to Return from Time Off Without Losing Your Sanity
You finally did it. You stepped away from the building, unplugged, and got some much-needed rest. But the moment you walk through the doors, you are greeted by a mountain of paperwork, a looming pile of compliance tasks, and an inbox that looks like a crime scene. Just like that, your hard-earned relaxation evaporates. It begs the question: How do you actually plan for time off so that your return doesn't completely punish you for leaving? Over the years, I’ve developed a few
Jun 22 min read
