I had the pleasure of speaking with healthcare writer Tim Mullaney at the 2015 Aging in America Conference last week in Chicago. Mr. Mullaney attended our session on staff recruitment and retention, and attendees discussed a number of methods to improve the workplace for professional caregivers.
Read Tim’s article, “How to Reduce Turnover Without Raising Home Care Wages” to get another look at how important communication is to attracting and keeping staff in all senior care environments.
Among our conversation at the conference was the fact that for years researchers surveyed staff about what was important in their work, and for years staff would tell us that pay was not at the top of the list. But employers continued to focus on money and benefits. Leaders attempted to recruit and retain staff with higher salaries, sign-on bonuses, attendance bonuses and other incentives such as employee of the month.
What was missing – and what I hope is finally changing – is that leaders are recognizing that the non-tangibles are important to retaining satisfied and loyal staff.
Want to improve your staff turnover? Focus on respect, appreciation, and meaningful work with the opportunity to serve others. Develop this environment by providing education, involvement, communication, and caring leadership.
Dementia Care Expertise for Health Care Providers 