2020 ARGENTUM AWARDS HERO AWARD:
LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF A NATURAL DISASTER Steven McLaurin Sales Manager, Brookdale Tequesta Assisted Living & Memory Care Brookdale
A BUOYANT PRESENCE IN THE STORM
“It was really eye-opening to realize what each department has to do, every single day, to run these communities.”
Steven McLaurin holds two titles at Brookdale Tequesta: He’s sales manager, and he’s The Sandwich King. That’s what he dubbed himself after making more than 50 peanut but- ter-and-jelly sandwiches for the bus ride as the community evacuated from Tequesta to Jacksonville. But that wasn’t the end of their travels. As Hurricane Dorian’s erratic path made Jacksonville unsafe, the community had to head inland to Leesburg, in Central Florida, and McLaurin be- came the ad hoc life enrichment and activities leader. “He didn't bat an eye,” according to his nomination. “Being a sales manager, Steve was a natural with his positivity and true passion to serve our residents.”
A feeling of safety When McLaurin’s wife called him on the way to Jacksonville
and told him the hurricane was headed that way, he says he “looked a little upset. I saw some of the residents looking worried, and I realized that I have to keep that feeling inside and be a calm presence. Whatever was going on, we had a plan. The residents are looking to us for that comfort.” The community had supplies and a plan, but McLaurin real- ized what was also important was care: keeping a feeling of safety, normalcy, and even fun. Through the waiting, traveling, different rooms in hotels and communities, and uncertainties, he played word games and led light group conversations. He helped with morning exercise and brain fitness. He did head counts—an experience more stressful than he had realized. He helped serve meals (beyond peanut butter and jelly). He gently guided wandering residents
and assisted nurses. He kept track of walkers and assistive devices. He helped with toileting and changed adult diapers. And when a resident was ill, he accompanied her to the emergency room and stayed with her for more than six hours, to be sure she had a familiar face and was comfortable. “I was exhausted,” he says, laughing, about his experience of wearing so many hats. “When you’re a marketing person, like me, or maybe in the business office or in dining, you might not realize what other jobs people are doing and how hard they are.” Once the community was settled safely back at Tequesta
and had its first staff meeting, McLaurin told the group about his realization—and his admiration of the team. “I think what got me through was just the fact that I love the residents, I'm there for them—and they were helping me out, too. They understood. They said hey, Steve’s not the regular activities person, but he's doing the best he can.” “It was really eye-opening to realize what each department
has to do, every single day, to run these communities. I usually see it from the outside.” In the current COVID-19 crisis, he’s putting what he’s learned to work again—making checklists, helping with meals, pitching in where he’s needed.
Before entering senior living, McLaurin had been a success- ful pool salesperson in the Southeast, and enjoyed it. But the feeling of helping a resident who may have been isolated, and whose family had been anxious, begin to enjoy life in commu- nity that’s something other types of sales can’t provide, he says. “It’s a super supportive environment. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
THANKS TO 2020 ARGENTUM HERO AWARDS SPONSOR JULY/AUGUST 2020
ARGENTUM.ORG 31
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