Photo Credit: Jonny Negron, New York Times, “Mean Girls in the Retirement Home“ Do you notice mean girl behavior in your community? Let me help answer that – yes you do! Mean girls exist in every aspect of society. It’s all around us and you see it every day. How many times a day do you see someone acting better … Continue reading
Love is an action. How many times have we heard the phrase that actions speak louder than words? Think of an empty word or promise that someone made in your life, and how their true actions, seemed to define reality. Kind Dining® focuses on having a servants’ heart. It’s the action and preparation that matters, but also the follow through. … Continue reading
Elegant, frosty centerpieces that are easy to make for the dining room at your nursing home, CCRC, or assisted living community.
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The holidays are a special time, but they can also be a lonely time. Everything about this season can be a reminder of people and days gone by. Right now, it’s especially important to be aware of behavioral changes that might signal a resident is feeling sad and/or lonely. For instance, if someone who is usually upbeat seemed subdued, or even … Continue reading
Make this Thanksgiving extra special by starting a new tradition in your community: Express your gratitude for each resident with a quick note of thanks. Purchase or create small cards and ask staff members to help. Write each residents name on the outside of a note card. Ask staff members to each fill out a few cards with a heartfelt … Continue reading
Are you offering menu choices that please older diners? What’s for dinner? A classic like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, a trendy new salmon dish, or both? After decades of serving relatively basic menus, many senior care communities are hiring professional chefs and serving more trendy, upscale foods. Just in time, too. As I discuss in Hospitality for Boomers, How to … Continue reading
Often times the post office gets a bad rap for not being service oriented, but I’m not sure that’s fair. As the CEO of Higher Standards, I speak nationally about customer service, hospitality and kindness. I recently returned from a presentation in Seattle and found this note in my mailbox, along with my tape dispenser. It reads: A lady came in … Continue reading
“One of the core elements of a toxic workplace is lack of trust between co-workers and supervisors across the organization.” –Paul White, Ph.D, Psychologist, Author Are you trusted at your job? Do people believe they can rely on your integrity, strength, and ability? If not, your working relationships are likely suffering, and so are you. Improve your work life by demonstrating: Competence: … Continue reading
3 Things Management Must do to Reduce Employee Turnover and Succeed at Person-Centered Dining Typically, senior care communities are plagued by high staff turnover, particularly in the dining environment. According to the American Health Care Association, food service staff has the second highest overall turnover rate, just behind nursing staff. [1] When discussing the problem, dining managers tell me: “Many … Continue reading
