In an era where employee turnover represents a significant challenge in care communities, recognizing the work of dedicated staff members is more critical than ever before. For the last decade, Ceca Foundation has pioneered the cause, advocating for a culture of recognition and appreciation that goes beyond the paycheck.
Ceca partners with senior living communities to more effectively recognize their outstanding caregivers by organizing Healthcare Staff Employee Recognition Programs. The Ceca Award program uses proven recognition techniques and innovative technology to celebrate high-touch acts of care that improve client satisfaction, and lower burnout and turnover.
Recognition and Retention
Ceca has been instrumental in fostering a culture of appreciation in care communities. The Ceca Award program was inspired by one family’s experience finding the right senior living community for a parent. While it can be stressful making decisions about a loved one’s care, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are in good hands is priceless.
The program is unique in its focus on recognizing high-touch acts of care in senior living communities in a high-tech way. As a nonprofit, Ceca’s mission revolves around providing an exemplary experience for residents. And Ceca’s easy-to-use online platform allows you to publicly recognize more of your employees, across more departments, for acts of care that define your values. The power of Ceca’s program is that it engages all employees in your care community, with a third of those honored working in non-clinical support positions.
Their award program has yielded impressive results in staff retention. Care communities implementing the program have reported a marked decrease in staff turnover, with some retention rates increasing by up to 120% for recognized staff. This not only strengthens the community culture but also significantly impacts the bottom line.
A Deeper Understanding of Senior Living Professionals
Senior living workers are a breed apart. A study from Harvard Business Review indicates that individuals in helper professions, like senior care and social workers, value symbolic recognition and seeing their impact more than in other industries. While fair remuneration is essential, it is not the primary motivation for these individuals. They are driven by the fulfillment and meaning derived from their work. However, their passion requires cultivation, and one of the most potent ways of doing so is through recognition. If they fail to see their impact or feel unnoticed, it often leads to attrition.
A Decade of Impact
Over the past decade, Ceca Foundation has helped organizations implement meaningful recognition programs and awarded over half a million dollars to deserving care workers. They have consistently shone a spotlight on these exceptional individuals, enhancing their visibility and the reputation of their organizations. But their impact doesn’t end with their partners. They continue to advocate the importance and science of saying ‘thank you’ in meaningful ways to all.
“Our science based recognition efforts have helped dozens of communities around the country achieve their employee engagement and retention goals,” Nate Hamme, President and Executive Director of Ceca shared. “By focusing on the impact individuals have on the care and satisfaction of their residents, it builds teamwork, resilience, and confidence among caregivers—allowing organizations to achieve their own quality and operational goals.
The Road Ahead
The future for the Ceca Foundation is full of promise and excitement. As they continue their national expansion, currently serving partner organizations in 15 states, they hope to drive home their core message — that employment in senior care is about more than a paycheck, but about human beings caring for one another. They strive to help partners celebrate and support their teams in genuine and meaningful ways, constantly innovating how stories can be shared and recognized—in care communities and with the general public. As they venture into new territories, their focus remains the same – to ensure more meaningful recognition for care teams.
The Ceca Foundation’s work is a testament to the power of recognition, a reminder that well-deserved appreciation can not only motivate and retain staff but can make a profound difference in the lives of those they serve. Learn more about the Ceca Foundation and how they honor senior living team members in various care support roles by visiting https://cecafoundation.org/senior-living/.
