LeadingAge

What does it mean to be grounded? It’s a term we hear tossed around, maybe you’ve used it to describe someone or maybe you have heard at the beginning of an exercise class or a session on relaxation. Grounded really means being present, both in your body and your mind, and being connected to the earth. My mental image is of standing tall, feet rooted in the ground, strong and stable. The winds may ruffle your leaves, but your trunk stands firm. Strong winds may cause the branches to sway but the foundation, that tree trunk, holds solidly.

The vice president of resident services at HumanGood is a strong advocate for supportive services in affordable senior housing.

To support members in planning Thanksgiving policies related to resident and staff travel and gatherings, LeadingAge fielded the Community Holiday Planning Survey last week. Our intent was to add to the growing list of anecdotal member solutions – and ongoing questions - that we’ve heard from many members across the country. This survey, geared towards members who serve older adults in congregate living settings (affordable housing, assisted living, independent living, life plan communities / CCRCs, and nursing homes), received 113 responses.

With the weather changing – and most get-togethers moving indoors – members are giving great thought and consideration to how to help residents, staff and families safely celebrate Thanksgiving. Here, we offer a summary of ideas and solutions that members have shared as we prepare for one of the year’s biggest family-centric holidays. As with all things COVID, there are two primary areas to consider: solutions for resident celebrations and travel, and solutions for staff celebrations and travel.