2021 will be the year of resident engagement and to champion this effort, the #ActivitiesStrong initiative, led by Linked Senior, has launched the 2021 Resident Engagement SWOT challenge!

Providers must invest in better staffing, accessible tools and optimizing data, so that our industry can efficiently deliver more individualized experiences and build a stronger community that offers meaningful social engagement to every resident. This type of investment has a positive and direct impact on quality of life, clinical and financial outcomes.

Let’s agree that this year we will be Holiday Strong! We have plenty of time to plan for a holiday season that is filled with hope and encouragement.

Now is the time to seize on this opportunity to rebuild our field! Use the REIS assessment to assess your community and better acknowledge, educate and empower each of your activity and life enrichment professionals.

Last month Linked Senior had the opportunity to interview 96-year-old Marilyn Joyce (Hearl) Nowak, one of the original “Rosie the Riveters.” In 1943, she was living in Michigan and just out of high school when at 18 years old she answered the call for women to enter the workforce as part of “The War Effort.”

The global pandemic has offered the field of resident engagement an opportunity to start fresh when it comes to activities in senior living communities. Now is the time to acknowledge what the 3 Bs represent and remember that the key to meaningful engagement is making the time to get to know each resident.