Steve Moran chat with Justin Wray, President of Jaybird Senior Living, for a conversation covering innovative approaches to senior living, tackling Middle Market challenges, the importance of wellness for both residents and team members, and creating meaningful resident experiences. Justin shares Jaybird’s commitment to residents, families, and employees. They also discussed how purposeful programming, innovative technology, and compassionate leadership improve senior living.   They cover:

• Resident and Family-Centered Approach:
• Jaybird Senior Living focuses on building trust and comfort for families, ensuring transparency, consistent care, and communication.
• The organization acknowledges that family members often act as decision-makers and works to engage them effectively.
• Commitment to the Middle Market:
• Jaybird strategically operates in rural and underserved areas by leveraging clusters of properties to share resources and reduce costs.
• They balance affordability with quality by maintaining efficient staffing and tailoring services to specific community needs.
• Innovative Wellness Programs:
• Jaybird’s Ascend Wellness Program promotes the Six Dimensions of Wellness for residents in assisted and independent living.
• Team members are also encouraged to embrace wellness, with tools and initiatives designed to enhance their physical, emotional, and social health.
• Technology-Driven Solutions:
• Jaybird is implementing tools like TSO Life to enhance resident engagement and facilitate personalized connections between residents.
• Programs like a nurse triage system allow nurses to fully disconnect during off-hours, improving work-life balance and reducing turnover.
• Rethinking Activities and Purposeful Living:
• Justin emphasized shifting away from outdated, generic programming toward purpose-driven, meaningful activities tailored to individual residents.
• He challenges leaders to reassess the value of current activities and to consider whether they would enjoy participating themselves.
• Effective Crisis Management:
• A story of a resident intervening during a crisis (a man with a chainsaw entering the facility) highlighted the resilience and courage found in senior living communities, as well as the importance of having a strong, responsive support system in place.
• Challenges and Opportunities in Staffing:
• Recruiting and retaining skilled employees in rural areas remains a challenge, but Jaybird aims to be the employer of choice in these communities.
• Shared staffing models across nearby properties provide flexibility and learning opportunities for team members.
• Leadership’s Role in Building Trust:
• Justin’s personal involvement, like sitting with concerned family members, exemplifies the importance of empathy and listening in creating positive resident and family experiences.