{ Culture Club }
decisions about their community alongside
your team members. Menu committees
and social committees are obvious, but go
one step further and encourage residents
to be even more active in community decisions—whether it’s gardening, decorating
for holidays, or baking cookies.
Choose executive directors who
engage with residents without
doing everyone else’s job. A successful community needs an executive
director who is able to address the details
without doing his or her team members’
work. When managing to a high standard
of care, the residents’ needs must always
come first. A strong leader is able to instill
attention to detail in all team members so
that a resident assistant can stay attuned
to cues from a resident who needs extra
attention or whose physical, emotional, or
cognitive condition may be changing.
Engaging with residents on a regular
basis ensures executive directors stay tuned
to residents’ expectations and needs and
serve as a role model for team members.
Always be ready for an audit. A
comprehensive quality assurance program
ensures your community is preparing for an
audit every day. All the routine procedures
required to keep a community clean, safe,
and in working order should be scheduled
and carried out on a regular basis. Ensure
executive directors are trained to know and
to intimately understand the regulations
and frequently conduct self-audits.
If every decision a team member at any
level makes is based on how that action
validates the organization’s mission, vision,
and principles, quality care happens consistently and with ease. Make your culture
a way of life.
Scott McCutcheon is COO of Minnesota-based
New Perspective Senior Living. Reach him at smc-
cutcheon@npseniorliving.com or 952/746-3630.
Caregivers with a
Passion for Seniors
Look for these hard-to-spot
qualities:
n Passion to serve seniors: Hire for
the heart.
n Volunteer spirit: find someone
eager to jump in and help.
n “Can do” attitude: A person who
believes anything is possible
is better able to meet the
challenges of working with
someone who has limitations.
n Bright, positive attitude: Look
for a smiling face, which
encourages others to see the
positive.
n Innovator: You want someone
who will help you continue
to improve products and
services.
38 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE | MAY/JUNE 2012 | WWW.ALFA.ORG
