Community Connections

Long-term care is a 24/7/365 profession. We work all hours and shifts, with no “closing” due to holidays, the weekend, or a weather emergency. Given our demanding schedules, you’d think we would have been among the first to adopt social networking tools into our work habits. After all, our opportunities and challenges are so similar—whether you’re a housing director on the Iron Range or facility administrator in southern Minnesota—that using these tools would be a great way to lean on each other.

But we are also a careful bunch, wary in our acceptance of new things. Or maybe that’s a Minnesota thing. Whichever it is, our cautiousness has kept many away from engaging in something that at first glance seemed trendy (I’m talking about the use of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube). However, with Facebook now having over 500 million users, and “tweets” becoming part of our daily lexicon, incorporating these tools as a way to stay connected is common sense!

I had been one of the careful ones, but my mind changed as I continued to get requests to “friend” a coworker or “recommend” a LinkedIn contact. I’ve seen firsthand how useful this type of connection has become. I don’t know where social networking will take us, but I appreciate the ease with which you can stay in touch with colleagues and peers.

However, the immediacy of tweets and posts have not replaced the more traditional means of connecting—in fact, I still prefer to meet face-to-face or by phone. There is that something extra that gets communicated through visual clues or speech nuances that I find vitally important, and I think others do, too—as was evidenced just last week! Individuals from Pipestone to Little Falls met in St. Paul for Rolling Days at the Capitol. Energy filled the room as members gathered, concerned and confused over some of the legislative bills and language that was being bantered about. Seeing that others—whether faces new to long-term care or long-time acquaintances—were in the same boat, helped as participants advocated to get our message across to legislators and decision-makers. Nothing like a room full of blue t-shirts (thank you Golden Living) to show solidarity for seniors!

I know the long-term care community is a social bunch, too, and we like to gather for special Association events. The connections that are renewed each year at Convention and the Housing Summit; the silly costumes and antics at the annual golf tournament that make for good conversations; the “oh, I haven’t seen you in awhile” greetings at Region meetings—all are proof that we like to make, and keep, connections.

So I encourage you—if you are new to long-term care or just feel it’s time to reinvest—to take part in the many ways in which you can connect with our community, whether by traditional means or new. Join a committee! If your interest runs from recognition to regulatory, you’ll find a group that interests you. Participate in the next round of region meetings! Invite Association staff to your National Nursing Home Week and National Assisted Living Week events! Follow along on Twitter and Facebook. Comment on Patti’s blog. Join in—because it is through all these connections that our community strengthens and grows.

One final rallying point (and yes, the pun is intended). A great way you can show support for long-term care is at the upcoming Rally at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 3rd. Starting at 10 a.m.—the rally kicks off with the senior rock group “Alive and Kicking.” Look for details in upcoming issues of Action.

Gail

Gail Sheridan
gsheridan@careproviders.org