Staff burnout & turnover within senior living communities has existed for years, specifically on activity, recreation, and leadership teams. Recent data points to alarming realities of the situation. However, new solutions exist to address these challenges, while also improving the lives of seniors.

How bad is the burnout?

In a 2021 survey conducted by KFF/The Washington Post Frontline Health Care:

• 56% of workers in assisted living and nursing home settings reported feeling “burnt out”
• A reported 49% of these workers also said they feel “anxious” when showing up to work. 

Plain and simple - these numbers are staggeringly high, and lead us to ask the question, “Why?” And importantly, “What can we do about it?”

Specifically, it’s the people who work closely with seniors who are the main focal point here, including activity directors, activity coordinators, memory care directors, memory care coordinators, recreation therapists/specialists and executive directors. A 2018 report from Argentum showed that 60% of this industry’s workforce is comprised of resident care workers. 

That is, workers who are directly involved in the day-to-day lives of seniors. These workers are essential to the wellbeing of senior residents, specifically activity staff and leadership. 

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. 

In many cases, burnout is related to emotional, physical, or mental overexertion. The World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes the results of burnout as “increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.” 

"One thing we know is coming, and is already here for many folks, is a mental health crisis: the stress from adapting our lives to live under this new normal."

Michael Owens

Executive Producer, Senior Living Innovation Forum (SLIF)

Michael Owens

These signs can lead to poor care to seniors, and eventual staff burnout and retention issues. In a snap poll conducted by LeadingAge, 72% of respondents said that one major reason that senior living professionals leave their organizations is because of burnout.

A toll on the staff means a toll on residents.

Burnout has an immense toll on staff members and results in less effective care for senior residents. If staff members struggle to maintain their wellbeing, it’s going to be a heck-of-a-lot harder for them to balance the wellbeing of their residents.

For activity and recreation teams, a handful of things can lead to burnout, including working long hours, spending disproportionate amounts of time planning activities (as opposed to focusing on residents) and lack of support. 

What’s more, is that these professionals are often stretched beyond their job description, being tasked with taking care of seniors in gray areas of their work. 

RendeverLive® – The best of senior-focused programming.

So how do we combat burnout with RendeverLive®? We address the biggest problems that senior living staff face everyday, while also improving the lives of the residents they care for. RendeverLive® is built to:

1. Reduce your planning time & improving activity management
2. Provide you with high quality programming
3. Support you & value you

Let's dive into each one.

1. Addressing burnout with programming that adapts to you.

You’re probably running around like a headless chicken all day. Let’s help with that! 

RendeverLive® programming is like adding an activities team to your arsenal, without having to hire employees or an entertainer. Every weekday, for 8 hours a day, we stream live experiences for your residents to engage with. 

With 150+ hours of planned programming a month, plug our experiences into your schedule. Check out this month’s calendar. Poof! Planning time reduced. 

Plus, RendeverLive® is designed so that you can focus on your residents, giving them quality time and allowing you to actively manage your day better. 

What would I do with extra time in my schedule?

2. Addressing burnout with fun and quality programming.

If your job is stressful, let’s reverse that stress! RendeverLive® is fun, engaging, educational and insightful for residents and staff. 

RendeverLive® has something for everyone:

• Trivia
• Travel
• Bingo, Baby!
• Book Club
• Continued Education
• Mindfulness/Meditation/Yoga
• Current Events
• Social Hour
• Resident Life Stories

RendeverLive®, an honoree in Time Magazine’s 2021 Best Inventions List, brings production-level quality straight to your fingertips at your senior living community. Our RendeverLive® Hosts are experts, actors, entertainers, and many are even seniors themselves! 

What impact could I have with such high-quality programming? 

3. Addressing burnout with support and value.

We’re an extension of your senior living team. We know how much you care, and we’re here to give back.

Join a network of 500+ communities to help encourage, support, and connect you to the resources you need to be successful. Chat with other communities and get real-time communication between you and RendeverLive® attendees.

Equip yourself with activity resources and ideas to help keep residents engaged consistently. 

With free plans and paid plans starting at $39/mo (much less than an entertainer), why wait? Book a demonstration or try RendeverLive® for free today!

How could the RendeverLive® community benefit me and my team?

Burnout doesn’t have to be part of your story.

Burnout doesn’t have to creep its way into your professional life. Let’s make an impact together. 

Join the RendeverLive® community and connect with hundreds of senior living professionals and residents today. Experience the results for yourself by signing up. Help us empower you by giving you the tools you need to improve the lives of the seniors you serve!

Questions? Get in touch:

Zackary Tiedeman

Account Representative

Zackary Tiedeman

zackary@rendever.com

857-675-6151