Seeking Care for a Senior? How to Find Communities That Share Your Values

What do a senior care company's values mean to your family, and why do they matter if you're looking for care for your senior loved one? And how do you read between the lines to discover whether they actually uphold those values? People can say whatever they want. They can say 'we work with people so they never have to move again.' But how do we know that that's true? Daphne Davis of Pinnacle Senior Placements joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about how to find out.

Daphne says, "So some of the things that I kind of pay attention to are, what is their attrition rate of care stat? How many times has a management team changed? Those are big indicators for me of stability, and I make it my business to know the ownership and know what going on. I do a little research. I figure out things that are going on in the building.

"I want to see how many people actually greet me as I'm walking through the building when I'm touring. Are they feeling empowered to do their job? Is there a culture of customer service? Is there a joy? Do I feel joy as I'm walking through the hallways, or are people afraid of their job and have tunnel vision and can only do this but can't go either way? Do I see somebody helping someone as I'm going through the building? I pay attention to the whole staff, not just to the person who's touring with me, not just the executive director, but the whole staff: the person who's taking care of the building, the person who's making the food, the person who's serving the food.

"That's why I go at different times... Find out how the day starts. How crazy is it? What happens at 3:00 in the afternoon? The activities are starting at four. Are people helping people come out of their room? Are they inviting them? Are people building relationships between resident to resident? Is that happening? Are they finding commonality?

"Here's a benefit to you, the consumer. Someone like myself goes to networking events, and we get to have all kinds of conversations. They get to have breakfast or lunch or be at an after-hours event, and we get to have regular conversation. Boy, do I get to learn a lot during regular conversation... Just who are these people that are actually choosing to be in an industry of care support, keeping someone's life meaningful? Do they get it? That would be hard for you, the consumer, to figure out, but that's what you get from a good placement advisor."

Learn more:

• Reach Pinnacle at 1-855-734-1500 or visit PinnacleSeniorPlacements.com.
• Pinnacle Senior Placements at Answers for Elders
• About Daphne Davis
• Hear more podcasts with Daphne Davis