Environments for Aging - Winter 2022 - 34

community
further into the five drivers and some strategies
for addressing them.
1
Safety and security
Safety and security measures address
employees' most basic physical and
psychological needs and are the foundation
upon which all other drivers are built.
Simply put, organizations must create basic order
and predictability in physical environments. This
starts the minute employees enter the building,
as how they approach and enter a workplace sets
a clear tone that affects the rest of their workday.
For example, are employees entering through a
well-lit, welcoming, and staffed main entry that
residents and visitors also use, or are they walking
past dumpsters and dodging loading dock traffic
to get to a dimly lit side entrance?
Personal and emotional security are also
important to address, and providers should
acknowledge the diverse backgrounds and
life experiences of employees when discussing
big-picture solutions. At a continuing care
retirement community in Madison, Wis., a
project on the boards includes a reservable
mothers' room equipped with comfortable
seating, a sink, and refrigerated storage for
new mothers returning to work to utilize as
needed. Such spaces are becoming more commonplace.
However, where such accommodations
don't exist, mothers might experience
physical discomfort or even anxiety in finding
a private location to pump for their infants-
or they might just quit. Small investments in
spaces like this can have a much bigger payoff
in creating a safe, inclusive culture.
2
Brand and identity
Senior living providers should evaluate
if they are effectively communicating
their brand through every
facet of the organization-including physical
spaces, operations, and people-and if that
brand is resonating with employees and potential
candidates. More so than previous generations,
Gen Z and millennial jobseekers are
prioritizing purpose alongside pay and benefits
in choosing their workplace. A campus
in Tulsa, Okla., recently rebranded with an
undercurrent of " neighbor helping neighbor, "
a refrain that speaks to the bond between residents
and employees at the community. To reinforce
this messaging, the community solicits
photos of its " neighbors " from their childhood,
34 | winter 2022
graduations, weddings, and other milestones
to display prominently on shelves in the new
community life center. These pictures are visible
reminders of the organization's culture that
employees see every day and help reinforce the
idea of serving and connecting with residents
in meaningful ways.
3
Well-being
Well-being has many meanings but
generally suggests positive emotions
and moods stemming from a
wide range of underlying components of a full
life. In the framework of workplace culture,
employees want to feel valued as a whole person
beyond the confines of their role or title at
work. A simple acknowledgement of employee
well-being is providing and encouraging
use of quality outdoor space or locating employee
lounges or amenities to allow for access
to natural light and views. Too often, employee
spaces are relegated to the basement or a
windowless corridor, which sends an often
unintentional signal to employees that their
experience-and, by extension, their well-being-
isn't valuable to their employer.
4
Knowledge sharing
Understanding how information
flows between employees day-to-day
says a lot about an organization's culture,
whether that information flows from the
top down or is multidirectional. Through open
and clear communication, senior living providers
can build strong teams, breed confidence,
and foster innovation, especially as the industry
faces high turnover, looming retirements, and
constantly changing health guidelines. The designs
of entry sequences are opportunities to
make a clear and immediate statement about
knowledge sharing at a community. By prioritizing
open reception desks with low counters,
clear fixed and digital signage and message
boards, and the use of transparent materials,
designers can visually and psychologically signal
openness of the flow of information from
" behind the scenes " to frontline employees,
residents, and visitors. As communities look to
refresh their lobbies and common spaces, including
high-top tables is a great strategy to encourage
team huddle meetings, which can feel
less intimidating (but equally as informative) to
some employees compared to meetings held in
a hidden-away conference room.
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Environments for Aging - Winter 2022

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