SPOTLIGHT: THE HEART OF SENIOR LIVING


we were able to make this type of impact for one person, then let’s keep going. What else can we do?’ Because it’s fun. And it's why we do what we do.’” Family members also often play a crucial


role, helping to identify and plan mean- ingful moments. Cagle’s daughter, Regina Wilson, told the Faribault Daily News, “We had been trying so long to get her [to a ballgame.]” “We want to find a way to say yes,” Vance


says. Vance says Dare to Dream activities bring


joy to family members and help give them peace of mind. “It means a lot to them to see this dream being made true—they see the smile on their loved one’s face, and they know how much it means to them,” Vance says. “Sometimes, I wonder if the family’s reaction or the resi- dent’s interaction is more powerful.”


Joan, 95, grew up raising and riding horses, and missed being around them—so her community arranged for her to ride a horse again.


move, making this huge decision, your life is going to continue and even get better, and you can still have fun and your dreams can still come true.” Vance says Jaybird then continues to


work to get to know residents on that “in- timate, personal level.” She says often it is direct care team members who come back to the rest of the team with information that leads to a Dare to Dream opportunity. For instance, Kalal nominated Cagle to be a Dare to Dream recipient.


Team participation Information from frontline team members typically sparks a conversation and brain- storming among team members as they de- termine the best way to meet that resident’s dream. “It just takes off from there,” Vance says.


“I think it's really special that it's not neces- sarily the director or the marketing director saying, ‘Hey, we should do this.’ “The front- line staff are building that close relationship that usually brings the idea forward so that we can make that dream come true.” Vance says team members are motivated


to create the best possible experiences for residents through the program. The expe- rience is “fun and heartwarming” for staff,


48 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE JULY/AUGUST 2021


she says, and makes everyone feel good at the end of their shift. In addition, the response from the resi-


dents and their family and friends helps fuel community team members in their drive to keep producing special moments. “[Team members] thrive off of that,” Vance says. “They’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, if


Residents join in surprise Vance says fellow residents also are critical to identifying and creating meaningful Dare to Dream events. “Sometimes the residents themselves


will come up with different ideas for their friends,” Vance says. “A lot of the other residents are involved, too, especially if it’s something that we're doing at the commu- nity there and they get to be a part of it.


HELPING A MULTI-COMMUNITY PROGRAM SUCCEED


A resident program that all communities participate in takes some planning and organization. Here are some tips from providers.


• Have a consistent schedule and policies that involve each community—not too much pressure on any one community.


• Start from “hello”: Start finding out about a resident and what they enjoy from the first day, or before.


• Get the whole team involved. Often, direct caregivers will have the best ideas about what would truly delight a resident.


• Look to the larger community or neighborhood. People like to help and contribute to the “dreams.”


• Spread the word: Jaybird features a “dream” resident in each of its newsletters. If it’s appropriate, let local media know, post on social media. In materials you can control, such as newsletters and social media, try to give thanks and credit to everyone working at the community. Recognition is one of the strongest engagement boosters you can get.


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