For most senior living communities, serving the greater good in the local area is part of the mission. Communities often help local nonprofits in a variety of ways, from cash donations to use of space to providing volunteers for events.
And nonprofit organizations often are willing — and even eager — to help get the word out about the senior living communities that support them in so many ways. As a result, senior living organizations can forge strong partnerships with local nonprofits and service groups to educate the greater community about the benefits of senior living.
By understanding the advantages of working with local organizations, senior living communities can make the most of these mutually beneficial partnerships.
The Benefits of Working with Community Organizations
Many community organizations are committed to effecting positive change in their local areas, and they frequently cross paths with seniors and their families as they engage in their important work. Organizations often advocate for affordable housing and better health care for seniors. In addition, many seniors and their adult children serve as volunteers with community organizations.
Both volunteers and paid staff members of local organizations also make presentations out in the community to churches and civic groups, and they work together with other organizations to sponsor health fairs and other large events.
By working with community organizations, senior living communities tap into the heart of their local area. They get involved in issues people in the area care about, and they become known to a much wider circle of seniors, their loved ones and their local advocates.
Choosing Potential Partners
Many local areas serve as home to a variety of nonprofit and service groups. If you’re considering forming partnerships between your senior living community and local groups, it’s important to gather information and gain understanding of how the groups function.
Community-based organizations vary significantly in structure, size, mission, history and other aspects. Some groups are formally organized with an appointed or elected board of directors, while smaller groups may operate much more informally.
The work of such groups in the greater community can fall into a variety of categories, including:
- Creating affordable housing for seniors and underprivileged individuals.
- Revitalizing specific neighborhoods.
- Ensuring the availability of nutritious food.
- Providing transportation options.
- Protecting the environment.
- Responding to emergencies and disasters.
- Providing medical assistance and funds.
- Assisting troubled youth.
To choose among the many groups, it may be helpful to form a committee that includes members of your board of directors, residents, staff and members of the local community. After selecting one or a few agencies for partnerships, you can determine the type of support your senior living organization can provide and the ways you can offer education about senior living.
Finding Ways to Work Together
Once you’ve identified community partners that are a good fit with your organization, what are some of the best ways to work together to educate the public on senior living and its benefits? Consider:
- Inviting each community group to participate in an event or presentation at your community. Through a joint presentation, you can provide valuable information about both senior living and the mission of the community group to the group’s members and to the public.
- Allowing groups to use space in your community for meetings and other events. By bringing group members and invitees into your community, you give them a bird’s-eye look at the advantages of senior living. Group members also may speak with willing residents about their positive experiences in senior living.
- Providing dining or catering services for community group events and activities. If groups meet in your senior living community, you can have your on-site dining staff prepare appropriate culinary spreads. For activities in the local area like Habitat for Humanity build days, you can provide sandwiches or boxed lunches.
- Providing volunteers to assist with events and activities. Whether in your senior living community or out in the local area, most groups will welcome the efforts of volunteers. You can encourage staff members, residents and their loved ones to volunteer for worthy causes that serve your local community.
Forging Mutually Beneficial Relationships
Many senior living communities have committed as part of their mission to serve their local areas in a variety of ways. By partnering with local nonprofits and community-oriented groups, you can help better your neighborhood as you spread the word about the many reasons to choose a senior living community like yours.
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