$trategies for Today

Our goal is to share tips and insights on how organizations can weather the current economic storm. We will continue to update this tab with tips and trends from leading conferences, publications and data sources in the senior living industry as well as ideas gathered as we survey communities across the country. Our website will prove to be a valuable resource for fresh new ideas and your "go to" source for creative solutions and strategies to meet the challenges of today's economic environment.

External Options

1. Decide other communities in your market are not competitive. Meet together, brainstorm - "shop" each other and share your strengths and weaknesses. Market together - profit and not-for-profit to educate the community on your differences.

2. If it works geographically can you share "scheduled" trips to the grocery store alternating your van and their van?

3. Collaborate with a local high school or community college. Can you provide inexpensive day care (staffed by some of your residents) in exchange for a product or service they can provide to you?

4. Can you share the cost of providing solar energy with a nearby business; school etc?

Interacting with the Neighborhood

5. Open up a meeting space in the community and offer catering services.

6. Advertise weddings in your gardens.

Inside your Walls

7. We will reduce the number of publications and brochures that provide information to residents and future customers. We will utilize our website more for communications. (Provided by Joe Murphy, Masonic Villages of Pennsylvania)

8. Install programmable thermostats in all common areas and set them to reduce temperature significantly over-night.

9. Install motion sensors for lights in these areas too, so the lights go out when no one is using a large area.

10. Give residents space for a vegetable garden and use the fresh produce to supplement menus and reduce the amount of greens purchased from outside vendors.