task by volunteering their time both inside and outside the residence. At BPM’s
Regency Park community (where Brock
is filling in as executive director), a handful of residents serve as “ambassadors,”
helping new residents adjust to their
new home.
“Relocation can be very traumatic
because they’re giving up their homes,
neighbors, and social/support networks,” Brock says. Ambassadors at
Regency Park “act as peer support for
new residents for a fairly lengthy period
of time. They might eat with them or
go to activities with them. It definitely
helps increase and improve the sense of
WHO’S WHO
Contact information for members in this
article.
› Kris Brock, klbrock@bpmsl.com
› Jerry cooper, jcooper@alfa.org
› nancy Miller, nmiller@arborcompany.com
› charles Richardson, crichardson@
brookdaleliving.com
community within our buildings.”
The “Welcoming Community” at
Arbor Terrace of Asheville offers new
residents a similar level of peer support. Talking to residents who have
been at Arbor Terrace for a while “really
helps new residents feel at home in the
community.”
charging Forward
Still, involving residents in whatever
events and programs you come up with
to create a greater sense of community
in your buildings can be a particular
challenge, she adds. “Some of our folks
were big joiners and participants and
very active in their communities before
they came to us, while others were not.
It can be challenging to come up with
things that will bring those people out of
their shells.” In the end, “you just have
to keep encouraging them. You can’t
give up.”
The role of staff members can’t be
underestimated. “It’s important to get
your whole team involved,” says Miller.
After all, “some residents really respond
well to your director of dining services,
while others might respond well to the
maintenance man—they might tell him
things that they won’t even tell the care
staff.
Bryan Ochalla is a contributing writer to
Assisted Living Executive. Reach him at
bochalla@alfa.org.
