Healthcare executive director Tammy Cosentino talks to Jerry Vinci about strategies for achieving and maintaining 100% occupancy, building strong leadership teams, and creating a culture that promotes staff retention. Tammy shares her 30-year journey from being an ICU nurse to transitioning into senior living operations, and the rewarding aspects of working in the senior care industry. She also touches on the challenges of staffing shortages and rising costs in senior care. The conversation covers various topics related to senior living operations, housing challenges, and the future of the industry. Tammy emphasizes the importance of building relationships with healthcare resources and being prepared for the increasing number of older adults looking for housing.
Jerry and Tammy discuss the need to change the narrative around senior living and highlight the benefits of independent living communities. They also touch on the financial challenges faced by older adults and the potential role of the government in providing support. The conversation ends with a discussion on the exciting innovations in the industry, such as the emergence of high-quality independent living facilities and the focus on hiring trained chefs.
- Start with building a strong leadership team and then focus on the frontline staff to create a culture of support and motivation.
- Maintain high occupancy levels by not overselling and standing behind your pricing, and ensuring that your community delivers a high-end product.
- Staff retention is crucial for maintaining high occupancy, and it can be achieved by practicing servant leadership, being hands-on, and genuinely caring about your team.
- Stay in touch with your building and staff to understand their needs and make informed decisions about staffing.
- Attract quality candidates through a careful interview process, involving multiple team members, and aiming to hire rock stars rather than settling for average candidates. Building relationships with healthcare resources is crucial for senior living communities to provide the necessary care and support for residents.
- The narrative around senior living needs to change to emphasize the benefits of independent living communities and the opportunities for socialization and engagement.
- Financial challenges, such as the rising cost of senior care, pose a significant barrier for older adults seeking housing options.
- The government may need to play a role in providing support and funding for senior housing programs.
- Exciting innovations in the industry include the emergence of high-quality independent living facilities and the focus on hiring trained chefs to provide exceptional dining experiences for residents.
