You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Author and change expert Michelle Rozen, Ph.D., opened up Ziegler’s virtual Women in Senior Living Leadership Forum on Friday addressing burnout in the healthcare industry — particularly among female executives.
Ziegler’s forum came just weeks after McKnight’s announced its 2022 honorees in its fourth annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards recognition program. A gala awards ceremony and accompanying educational forum will cap the unique celebration.
From burnout to resilience
The Ziegler gathering, which was part of the company’s celebration of Women’s History Month, included a panel that shared thought leadership and tackled the role women play in the senior living and care industry.
How to lead from burnout to resilience was the opening topic.
“This is an opportunity to stop and pause and think how you’re going to manage your own burnout so we get from burnout to resilience,” Rozen said. “Only when we take care of ourselves first can we take care of others.”
After two years of the pandemic, she said, people are tired and prone to make the same choices, which ends with the same results.
“Why do people resist change if doing things differently gives you the things you want to achieve in life?” she asked.
Rozen challenged participants to be mindful, forget the small stuff, set boundaries and try a different approach to get results.
Self-care tips
During a CEO panel on tips for self-care, panelists shared things they did to “create a sacred space,” both personally and professionally, to combat burnout and inspire their teams.
Recommendations on the personal side included downloading the Calm app, doing meditation, going outdoors, reading, buying wine in bulk and getting multiple dogs. On the professional side, weekly self-care video messages and mental and physical wellness program offerings were greeted with enthusiasm by employees.
“Dogs do a world of good for self care,” said Lee Syria, president and CEO of EveryAge, formerly United Church Homes and Services. “They make you go outside; you can vent to them and share your frustrations, and they’re just happy to see you.”
Lutheran Life Communities President and CEO Sloan Bentley said that adding a treadmill to her office changed her life. Long hours of sitting behind a desk, she said, were taking a personal toll. So she ordered a treadmill from Amazon and now takes between 10,000 and 15,000 steps before noon each day.
“It’s helpful for physical and mental well-being,” said Sloan, who walked on her treadmill for the duration of the forum. “I was taking prioritization of my health, and I made it efficient.”
She shared the concept with her staff, investing in standup desks, medicine balls and adaptive chairs.
Women in Senior Living Leadership survey
During the forum, Ziegler Director of Senior Living Research and Development Lisa McCracken shared the results of the firm’s Women in Senior Living Leadership 2022 Survey. Almost 300 women had responded to it, with approximately 70% hailing from the C-suite.
Four out of 10 respondents (42%) said they have contemplated a career change since the onset of the pandemic. The same number said they felt professionally burned out.
But on a positive note, 60% indicated that they are more optimistic now than they were one year ago. And 35% said they continue to look for career advancement opportunities.
Mentors and peer networks were among the positive aspects to emerge from the pandemic. Six out of 10 (62%) respondents said they had a mentor during the pandemic, whereas one in 10 said they relied on a coach.
Mentors also topped the list as the greatest need among women in leadership in the senior living and care field. This need was followed by work-life balance, confidence, peer networks, equitable treatment / pay, flexibility and having examples of other women in power.
When asked what keeps aging services professionals committed to the field, the top responses included people, mission, residents, team and the opportunity to make a difference.
McCracken said Ziegler is working on several initiatives, including a peer network.
McKnight’s honoring women leaders
On a related note, the 4th annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program is a joint effort from McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.
Since 2019, the awards program has recognized 138 women in senior living and skilled nursing across three categories — Hall of Honor, Veteran VIPs and Rising Stars. There also have been annual Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. This year brings expansion with a new Spirit Award, to be given out to inspirational women in the field, as well as the recognition of women working in home care, due to the launch of McKnight’s Home Care.
All honorees will be celebrated at in-person events May 12 and 13 in Chicago, which will include a gala awards dinner and educational sessions featuring industry thought leaders discussing important topics. All senior living, skilled nursing and home care stakeholders are invited to this two-day gathering.
For more information or to register for either or either of the events, visit https://www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com/. Those with questions about the event should contact Anna Naumoski at [email protected].
