Residential Assisted Living National Association

Remember, a legacy is a gift given to someone in the future.

Today is not just you working for yourself — you’re working to bless the people who will come after you.

Your work today blesses others tomorrow.

Research shows that reminiscing can open new pathways in the brain that benefit communication. It allows us to resolve issues and deal with negative emotions. This is beneficial for everyone, especially seniors.

Ways to engage memories:

1. Travel – Summer is a great time to visit places with special meaning and share the memories of what happened there.

2. Photographs – flipping through photo albums brings back memories of people, places, and things. Images often stir great conversations. Start with high school yearbooks and photos from family vacations.

3. Music – hearing specific songs that made an impact on them will bring back positive memories (wedding songs, childhood top-of-the-charts music, etc.).

4. Objects – use things from home to discuss memories. Ask: “How and when did they get it? Why do they have it? What made it special to them?”

5. Traditions – discuss memories about past holidays. Help seniors re-live some of their most special moments by re-creating similar scenes.

6. Movies – learn about their favorite childhood film or the first movie they saw in a theater. Ask open-ended questions to revisit what they liked most about it. Perhaps even watch the movie again with them to help stimulate their memory.

Have you gotten your tickets for the 2024 RAL NAT CON?

Don’t miss out on expert sessions, networking opportunities, awards, and celebrity guest speakers - all at an amazing resort in Arizona!

This year will feature 3 celebrity guests - Ed Mylett, Kim Kiyosaki, and Mark Victor Hansen.

Register now!
https://www.ralnationalconvention.com



Mark Victor Hansen
Ed Mylett
Kim Kiyosaki

Is it Two? Or Three Residents? Understanding When You Need an Assisted Living License in Colorado
Find out how many residents determine the need for a license and ensure compliance for safe and effective care.

When Do You Need an Assisted Living License in Colorado? — Pinkowski Law & Policy Group, LLC Pinkowski Law & Policy Group specializes in addressing critical health law issues within the assisted living community in Colorado. In a recent article Pinkowski Law sheds light on a common but crucial misunderstanding regarding the resident capacity requirements for obtaining an assisted living

It’s time to get outside and enjoy the weather!

Here are a few great summertime activities for you and the seniors you serve to try out this month...

1. Lunch outside – a picnic in the park or backyard will boost your sense of well-being.

2. Garden – even planting a simple flower box can provide stress relief and many hours of viewing enjoyment.

3. Water aerobics – a wonderful way to get more movement without straining the body.

4. Drive-in movie – a lovely way to be outdoors and enjoy a fun story at the same time. (Pro tip: You can even use a projector in the backyard for a movie night.)

5. Charity volunteering – encourage your seniors to participate. The more active they are, the better quality of life they will enjoy.

How do you “do good and do well”?

A Residential Assisted Living business not only builds a lasting legacy, it can help you BE SUCCESSFUL.

With our free membership, you can access all the tools needed to build a lifestyle business while doing good for the world.

Get more info, and claim your FREE membership now!
https://ralna.org/

On Memorial Day, we honor all those who served our country with the ultimate sacrifice.

Caring for yourself enables you to care for others. Being true to yourself allows you to be truthful.

Taking purposeful action for yourself enables you to be purposeful with and for others. Self-care is not arrogance; it’s necessary.

Caring for yourself – first – makes you a better you.

Therefore, determine right now what you will do. Self-care or self-deprivation?

Choose self-care!

Find more support here:
https://ralna.org/caregivers-take-care-of-yourself/

Running a business day in and day out can feel lonely sometimes, especially when you own or operate your own residential assisted living home!

Where do you go for support on industry-specific tactics and strategies, or to brainstorm some of the issues you are navigating as a RAL homeowner?

Residential Assisted Living National Association – it’s your go-to for all things related to your RAL business.

And best of all? You can join the RALNA family for FREE! 🙌

That's right. Join today and get access to resources that help you fill your home fast and elevate standards of care while growing a profitable and sustainable business.

You are not alone in your quest to help others!

Join here: https://ralna.org/

If you’re just starting a RAL home or have 10, you will always need someone who has more experience than you to help you along the way.

Here are 5 key reasons having a mentor can accelerate your success:

1. Starting out or experienced, you need someone with more knowledge to guide you. Seasoned mentors educate on critical details to build your RAL business right the first time, saving time, money, and effort.

2. Connections are everything. Mentors already have crucial relationships to expand your business reach.

3. It's easy to get lost in the weeds of a problem. A mentor helps you step back, see the bigger picture, and think through challenges systematically.

4. Mentors spotlight where you need improvement with constructive criticism. Being coachable can lead to rapid professional growth.

5. Mentors listen to your ideas and give valuable feedback because they want to see you win. They help set you up for success.

If you don’t have a mentor, consider joining one of our RALNA Chapter groups.
https://ralna.org/chapter-member/

We are very excited to be on the stage tomorrow at the CALA annual conference.

Michelle will be talking about the big issues we’ve been seeing in assisted Living in Colorado. 

If you’re in Colorado, we hope to see you there. 

https://www.coloradoassistedlivingassociation.org/conferences



CALA 2024 Spring Conference Live Registration | Westminster, CO | CALA Take a look at the full schedule of a one-day Spring conference presented by the Colorado Assisted Living Association in conjunction with their partners. Call us now to learn more 303-433-4446.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Thank you to all the RAL Homeowners who create home-like living spaces for all those moms who need care in their golden years.

Community is so important. We aren’t meant to do life in a silo.

Who is in your circle? Who can you count on to show up for you?

Spending time with friends and loved ones is important for your mindset, emotional well-being, and overall vitality.

Staying healthy and happy throughout the rest of 2024 means staying connected to your community.

One of the opportunities you have to connect with us is through the RAL National Convention.

It’s October 3-5, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona! Join us for connection, learning, mentoring, and more.

Get your tickets here:
https://ralnationalconvention.com/

Do you need help growing your RAL business?

We encourage our members to reach out to their local chapter to network and get the local support they need.

Networking can be fun – join your local chapter today!

Are you involved in one of our local chapter groups? Tell us in the comments what you love about your chapter!

If you don’t have a local chapter, would you consider becoming a chapter leader? If so, click the link below to get started…
https://www.ralna.org/chapter-member/

So far this month, we’ve looked at holding successful family meetings and increasing effective communication.

To end the month, we will look at 3 Ways To Reduce Resident Turnover.

1. Care Planning is paramount. It's not just about routine check-ups but creating a comprehensive plan that addresses each resident's mental, physical, dietary needs, smoking habits, and medication management. Regular reviews, especially after hospitalizations, ensure the care plan remains a cornerstone of personalized care, making every resident feel cherished.

2️. Creating Advocates by thoroughly understanding the rules and regulations ensures that everyone, from caregivers to families, can uphold the resident's rights and preferences. This collaborative approach in advocacy significantly enriches the care environment, empowering our residents.

3️. Taking Suggestions seriously means fostering an atmosphere where creativity meets compromise. Offering and valuing suggestions from daily interactions not only enhances care quality but also ensures our residents know they're heard, vastly reducing their inclination to leave.

Let's continue working together, implementing these strategies to nurture a caring and supportive environment for all our cherished residents. Here's to a future where every resident feels loved, advocated for, and listened to.

Happy Earth Day!

We encourage all our RALNA members to give back in some way to protect the Earth for generations to come… after all, our business is a legacy business.

Effective communication is key to engaged employees and organizational success. As a leader, making connections through regular meetings and communication has a big impact.

Here are 3 quality communication skills for good leaders:

1. Conduct regular, agenda-oriented meetings. Research shows managers who meet regularly with their teams have more engaged employees. Meetings are a chance to check progress, provide feedback, and gain insights.

Communicate frequently in writing. Along with meetings, writing emails, texts, etc. keeps employees informed. Follow up in writing on action items from meetings and answer employee questions completely.

2. Close loopholes by returning calls and emails. Providing answers to questions within 24 hours is a good communication commitment and helps employees feel valued.

3. Set clear goals. Vague expectations leave employees confused. Set measurable goals and revisit them often.

Implementing regular meetings, written follow-ups, and clear goals takes consistency. But it pays off through more engaged, productive teams. As a leader, making these communications a priority can make a big difference.

What are some ways you keep your team informed and engaged? Share your top tips in the comments!

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

What did you do this weekend?
Share in the comments…

"Should I report my business partner?"

How to Report Misconduct in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Home Health Care: A Guide to Navigating Duties and Legal Protections — Pinkowski Law & Policy Group, LLC Navigating the complexities of addressing misconduct within nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health care environments, especially among business partners, presents distinct challenges. The responsibility to ensure patient safety and high-quality care often necessitates action agai

Conducting productive family meetings is crucial when caring for a senior loved one.

We're sharing 5 steps to help your family unite on care decisions:

1. Gather all immediate and extended family, close friends, and relevant professionals to ensure adequate representation. Separate intimate details for immediate family when needed.

2. Set an agenda beforehand so everyone can prepare suggestions and not be surprised by uncomfortable topics. This keeps the meeting focused.

3. Choose a comfortable location with limited distractions for open discussion. Have video/wireless capabilities for remote attendees. Allow each member to share thoughts/concerns respectfully.

4. Remember challenges often arise with so many perspectives involved. Stay focused on care tasks, not judging each other. Remind all of the goal - quality care.

5. The goal is united understanding, even if some issues remain unsolved. A facilitator seeks equitable compromises everyone can agree on. During crisis, quicker decisions may be needed.

With care and communication, family meetings can build consensus amidst health challenges. What tips would help your family navigate key conversations on elder care decisions?

March is almost over!

You know that being successful at your RAL business is about MORE THAN LUCK - it’s all about the numbers, and the numbers say the opportunity to thrive is HUGE...

So tell us, what are your target numbers for April?

To my friends providing care to people on Medicaid - its good to see some progress.

HHS extends temporary Medicaid enrollment period to ease coverage disruption The Department of Health and Human Services today disclosed it is extending a temporary special enrollment period (SEP) to help people who have lost Medicaid coverage due to the so-called unwinding. Thousands of older adults and people with disabilities have been casualties of the disenrollment proc...

Let’s recap our message for this month:

Your Residential Assisted Living Business’ success is based on MORE THAN LUCK. Luck has nothing to do with it - it’s all about the numbers!

With 10,000 people turning 65 every day and boomers looking to rent growing by 80%, you have an enormous opportunity to build and expand your business!

What do you need to move forward?

Comment below so we can help you find your golden opportunity!

How has the first quarter of 2024 been going for you? We’d love to hear!

Regarding last year or this past quarter, choose one item to share below…

- your biggest lesson
- your biggest challenge
- your biggest win

Let’s support each other!

There are only 24 hours in a day.

How you spend your time is essential to your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Don’t let your schedule run you. Instead, be in charge of your time - choose to be intentional with every minute you have.

How are you winning when it comes to time management?

We’d love to hear your tips and wins!

Remember, perseverance beats luck every time.

Your business matters to us!

RALNA plays the vital role of advocating for residents and providers in city, county, and state governments while advising and helping business owners meet the regulatory requirements laid out by their state.

It is important that lawmakers are educated on the impact of resident assisted living homes and that legislation is in the overall best interest of every senior resident.

To learn more about how we advocate for your business and residents, click here:
https://ralna.org/advocacy/

Retirement is no longer about cake, balloons, a gold watch, or babysitting the grandkids – baby boomers are not content watching time pass by while relaxing in a rocking chair.

Seniors are reinventing themselves with new life goals.

Check out our article about how we’re never too old to learn!
https://ralna.org/never-too-old-to-learn/

It’s not about luck.

What your success is truly dependent on is intentionality and perseverance.

Knowing your “why” helps with focus and motivation.

Why are you in this business?

Do you love seniors? Are you passionate about quality care? Ready to set up a financial legacy?

Share your goals for next month or your “why.” We’d love to hear!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️

Your residents come from all different backgrounds. Some holidays and celebrations might mean a lot to some but nothing to others.

But one thing is certain - most seniors love any excuse to party or invite their family to visit.

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in your RAL home? What do you do for the residents? If not this holiday, what are some others you try to make special? Share in the comments so others can learn!