Leveraging Technology to Improve Staff Engagement & Retention in Senior Living

The senior living industry continues to face ongoing staffing challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, an aging workforce, and competition from other healthcare providers. Improving staff experience is crucial for boosting retention rates in this challenging and competitive market. 

New research by McKnight’s Senior Living illustrates the potential for growth and development in the senior living industry with the right tools for curbing burnout and turnover. It underscores the significance of enhancing staff experience by promoting a positive workplace culture, creating feedback systems, establishing professional development opportunities, and leveraging technology as a key differentiator.

Current Challenges in Senior Living Staffing

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Across the country, home care businesses and senior living organizations lost workers during this timeframe as people stayed home to care for their children or decided not to work in high-risk settings. According to a January 2023 American Health Care Association report, 86% of senior care homes currently face moderate to severe staffing shortages, and 96% have issues filling vacancies because of the pandemic.

A 2024 study by the National Institute of Health found that the sustained stress suffered by home care and nursing home staff during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the physical and emotional burden, with many showing high or medium symptoms of burnout. The continued consequences of the pandemic significantly impacted employee burnout and turnover rates in senior living, as many workers felt overworked and undervalued. The demands on senior living staff have also increased, leading to higher stress levels and job dissatisfaction.

Today, many senior living businesses have sought to differentiate themselves as desirable workplaces by utilizing staffing agencies and increasing wages and benefits to fill essential positions. However, these measures alone aren’t enough to maintain a stable workforce, especially as the short-term solution of reliance on temporary staffing agencies often fails to build a cohesive, long-term team.

4 Key Strategies for Improving Staff Engagement

In today’s landscape, senior living businesses need to follow proven strategies to improve staff engagement and retention. Let’s look at four key steps your business can take to start improvements today:

1. Foster a Positive Workplace Culture

Practical steps for staff retention include encouraging a workplace culture with open communication, recognizing employee achievements, and nurturing a positive and supportive community. 

Ziegler Research Analyst Megan Cunningham emphasizes, “Fostering a positive environment where there is a place for employees to regularly provide feedback on how they are feeling, and suggestions for improvement, can make them feel valued and appreciated.”

A positive workplace culture can be cultivated with regular team-building activities, transparent communication from leadership, and recognition programs celebrating both individual and team accomplishments. For example, senior living communities can host monthly town hall meetings where staff can voice their concerns and suggestions directly to management. Implementing peer recognition programs, where colleagues can nominate each other for outstanding contributions, also helps build a supportive and appreciative environment.

2. Create a Feedback System

Regular feedback from employees is crucial for understanding their needs and improving their experience. Implementing a feedback system allows management to make informed decisions that enhance engagement, such as adjusting protocols, adding new technology, or increasing flexibility.

A structured feedback system should include anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, and regular one-on-one meetings between staff and supervisors. Aaniie’s 360-degree satisfaction tracking monitors both client and caregiver satisfaction while allowing employees to express their concerns and ideas. These tracking systems can help monitor employee engagement and identify areas for improvement.

More importantly, management must act on this feedback. For instance, if multiple staff members indicate that a particular software tool is inefficient, leadership should investigate alternatives and make necessary adjustments. This responsiveness demonstrates that employee input is valued and can lead to substantial improvements in the workplace.

3. Establish Professional Development and Mentorship Opportunities

Offering professional development and continuing education programs is vital for retaining staff. Simple initiatives like pairing new employees with mentors or providing on-site training programs can create clear career advancement paths.

Professional development occurs in many forms, including online courses, workshops, certifications, and mentorship programs. By investing in their staff’s growth, senior living communities enhance their employees’ skills and show a commitment to their long-term career development. For example, offering financial assistance to employees pursuing advanced certifications or degrees can be a significant motivator. Additionally, establishing a formal mentorship program where experienced staff guide new hires can foster a sense of belonging and support, reducing turnover rates.

Implementing professional development programs through partnerships with Aaniie’s platforms like Nevvon and CareAcademy offers clear career advancement paths and can help facilitate staff growth and advancement opportunities.

4. Leverage Technology to Enhance Staff Experience

Technology can significantly reduce staff burdens and improve job satisfaction. Providing an easy-to-use app for staff can lead to better communication, increased satisfaction, and a positive workplace culture. Aaniie’s senior living solutions offer a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline workflows, facilitate communication, and ensure access to real-time resident data.

These solutions include:

• Automating tasks to reduce administrative burdens: Automation of routine tasks such as scheduling, billing, and documentation allows staff to focus more on direct resident care and less on paperwork. This increases efficiency and reduces the stress associated with administrative duties.
• Streamlining workflows to improve efficiency: Integrated systems that connect various aspects of care delivery ensure that information flows seamlessly between departments. This reduces the likelihood of errors and ensures all staff members are on the same page.
• Facilitating communication between staff, clients/residents, and their families: Effective communication tools, such as secure messaging apps and resident portals, enable quick and easy information sharing. This enhances coordination and ensures that everyone involved in a resident’s care is well-informed.
• Providing access to real-time resident data for better care management: Access to up-to-date information about residents’ health status, preferences, and care plans enables staff to provide personalized care. Real-time data helps make informed decisions and respond promptly to residents’ needs.
• Implementing 360-degree satisfaction surveys: Regular surveys that gather feedback from staff, residents, and families provide valuable insights into the community’s strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback loop is essential for continuous improvement and high satisfaction levels.
• Caregiver Rewards programs: Structured rewards programs can foster a positive work environment, motivate staff, and enhance retention. Recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance through incentives such as bonuses, gift cards, and public acknowledgment can significantly boost morale and loyalty.

Benefits of Improved Staff Experience

Putting a priority on improving staff experience leads to employees with better mental health, less stress, and fewer cases of burnout. Ultimately, this will also lead to higher caregiver retention rates and a more satisfied and engaged workforce, enhancing resident care and overall community well-being. This creates a thriving environment for staff and residents. 

When your staff feel honored, valued, and supported, they are more likely to stay with the organization, reducing turnover costs and maintaining continuity of care for residents. Engaged employees are also more likely to go above and beyond, contributing to a vibrant and caring community, which is a win-win for everyone involved.

Embrace Innovation

Part of enhancing the staff experience is leveraging the right technology. It can be a critical strategy for improving retention in your senior living community.

As Cunningham wrote for McKnight’s Senior Living, “By embracing innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to both employee and resident well-being, providers can position themselves to be prepared…for a continued increase in occupancy as the ‘silver tsunami’ continues to unfold.”

Discover how Aaniie’s senior living technology can transform your senior living community by significantly improving staff satisfaction and retention by cultivating a positive workplace culture, creating effective feedback systems, establishing professional development opportunities, and utilizing advanced technology solutions like Aaniie’s senior living platform.

To learn more about Aaniie’s senior living solutions and their integration with PointClickCare, contact us today to schedule a demo or consultation.