“We are in this industry for a reason, and COVID-19 reminds us of this reason.”

Did you see the results of our recent COVID-19-related survey last week? Maybe you were one of the people who responded when we surveyed administrators, owners, operators, health and wellness leaders, frontline caregivers and others working in independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement / life plan communities about disease cases, personal protective equipment, mood and compensation in their communities.

If you missed the articles, you can read them here:

It’s a scary time to be working in long-term care, and there are real needs for equipment, supplies and fixes to local, state and national systems. The usually simple action of going to work and performing regular day-to-day duties in a senior living community is even more heroic than normal in these times.

One survey question I haven’t written much about yet was an open-ended one that invited people to share other thoughts related to the virus. I was struck by the powerful themes of hope, strength and togetherness that arose in some of the answers to that question.

If these responses to our survey are any indication, the senior living industry will apply the lessons learned from this experience and emerge stronger for it. Don’t just take it from me. Take it from one of our participants, who said, “Keep your spirits up! This is a difficult journey, but we will come out on the other side better than ever! We will learn about ourselves and our residents and how resilient we can be!”

Because we all can use some positivity right now, allow me to share with you some other comments we received:

“We will get through this together”

“We appreciate all the love and kindness we are getting from our families, friends, senior management, community, etc.”

“Thank you to industry colleagues close by and far away who are steadfast in our commitment to serve others. We will get through this together.”

“There is a tremendous amount of kindness happening out there in the world. It is heartwarming to see what is going on throughout this country.”

“We will all get through this!”

“Situations like we are facing today bring out the best in people. Many have found they have talents and resolve that they didn’t even know they had. We are in this industry for a reason, and COVID-19 reminds us of this reason.”

“Our staff are amazing. Proud to be a part of the team.”

“We will get through this if we all work together and do our part.”

“Our workers are the most dedicated individuals I know.”

And thanks to the many survey-takers who had kind words about McKnight’s Senior Living. It’s gratifying to know that we are making a positive difference in your lives in our own way.

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