When you read this, I have no doubt a few hands went up. Who working in Senior Care these days does not need help?

I'm not going to talk about the gravity of staffing shortages. That would be nothing new and not the point of this article. So instead, I hope that our readers pick up a few pointers that help you solve a problem.

From a leader/employee perspective, let's look at the value of the question "Do you need help?"

Last year one of our team members here at AGE-u-cate was caring for her father, who had an unexpected and sudden onset of serious health events. In addition to helping her elementary-age students while schools went virtual, the day-to-day challenges of caring for her father became overwhelming. She is a dedicated team member, passionate about our mission, and was now living it herself. She was exhausted but continued to deliver work with her available time.

For years, aging service providers have focused on the resident or patient experience. But, with staffing shortages at dangerous levels, leaders are quickly shifting their priorities. After all, the resident or patient experience is only as good as those providing care.  

One of my favorite statements in the movie, "The Fellowship of the Ring" is, "What is this new devilry?"  Such is the question asked by many Aging Services leaders as they face the next slam with the pandemic- staff vaccination.  Some employees vaccinated willingly, some begrudgingly, and others not at all. 

How can providers encourage vaccination compliance and ultimately retain their workforce?