PHOENIX: Care companies could improve worker retention — and significantly improve their bottom lines — by enhancing communication with staff, industry experts say.
The financial stakes are high for keeping employees on the payroll in assisted living, care environments and continuing care retirement communities.
Senior living providers face a variety of obstacles in recruiting and retaining workers, including increased competition from retailers, fast-food restaurants and other employers. While wages and benefits do need to be competitive, they do not need to be unreasonably high; in fact focusing too much on pay will not solve the turnover challenges with which many providers are currently grappling with.
2. Communicate inclusively
Communication should not take place in silos, strictly among members of a particular part of the organization or a particular shift. Fostering inclusive communication can be difficult; for example, some senior care organizations are decentralized, with many different locations and even provider types. Technology can help overcome some of these obstacles…