Today, on The Healthcare CEO Show, we’re exploring the journey of Francis LeGasse Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Assured Senior Living. He is a passionate innovator in the senior care industry whose personal experiences with his family’s struggles profoundly shaped his career path. Witnessing the challenges faced by his grandfathers with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, Francis was driven to transform the senior care system into one that offers more personalized and compassionate solutions.
Join us as LeGasse shares his vision for a post-pandemic world where technology and innovative design intersect to reimagine senior care. This will make it a more positive and fulfilling experience for older adults and their families. Through his story, we’ll uncover the potential for transformative change in the senior care industry, aiming to better support caregivers and engage communities in meaningful ways.
Sparking an Interest in Senior Care
This stemmed from personal experiences with both grandfathers. Witnessing the impact of dementia and Parkinson’s disease on his family members, particularly the stress it placed on his grandmother and mother, ignited a deep-seated desire to improve the caregiving experience for older adults.
Personal Experience
Seeing the sacrifices made by his grandfather during military service and the subsequent toll it took on his health, LeGasse recognized the need for personalized and compassionate care for seniors facing similar challenges.
Changing Family Dynamics
Observing the strain on family dynamics due to the caregiving responsibilities, especially on his grandmother and mother, motivated LeGasse to seek innovative solutions to make aging a positive and fulfilling experience for seniors and their families.
A Healthcare CEO’s Take on America’s Senior Care Model
Francis LeGasse Jr. believes that the current senior care model in America has settled for the traditional care model that originated in the 1940s or 1950s, emphasizing aesthetic enhancements rather than the fundamental care model.
The prevailing focus on the physical infrastructure, often marketed as “resort-style living,” has overshadowed the essential aspect of providing high-level care for the residents and their families. LeGasse emphasizes the need to shift the perspective on aging and reassess the effectiveness of current building designs in promoting a positive aging experience.
Views on the Future of Senior Care by a Healthcare CEO
In the wake of the pandemic, the future of senior care is poised for significant transformation. This shift is driven by a shift towards embracing new technology and reimagining the design and engagement aspects of aging environments. This pivotal moment offers an opportunity to elevate the standard of care and redefine the aging experience for older adults.
Integration of New Technology
The future of senior care will welcome new technology, including innovative startups, to enhance communication, efficiency, and care accessibility for older adults. This shift towards technological advancements aims to streamline processes and improve overall quality of care.
Exploring Telehealth Benefits
A critical aspect of the future of senior care will involve a thorough exploration of telehealth and its potential to enhance the lives of older adults in aging environments significantly. Integrating telehealth services can revolutionize healthcare access and delivery for seniors, ensuring they receive timely and efficient medical assistance.
Redefining Design and Engagement
There is a growing recognition of the need to reevaluate senior care’s design and engagement strategies. It’s time to move away from outdated models and embrace innovative approaches that prioritize the well-being and fulfillment of older adults. This shift will empower seniors to age with dignity and purpose, transcending the conventional norms of aging.
Insights on Isolated Senior Living
Isolation of older adults in senior living communities can have unintended consequences, leading to cognitive decline, withdrawal symptoms, depression, and other detrimental effects. While necessary for a short period, the rigid lockdown measures implemented during the pandemic exacerbated the challenges older adults face. The lack of physical interaction with their families and limited social engagement further intensified their emotional and mental strain.
Negative Impact of Isolation
- Cognitive decline
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Depression and anxiety
As a society, we live in diverse communities encompassing individuals of all ages. However, the prevailing perception often dictates that older adults, especially those requiring assistance, should be segregated into senior living communities. This segregation contradicts our society’s inclusive nature and perpetuates the notion of isolation as a norm for aging individuals.
How To Support Caregivers in the Senior Care Industry as a Healthcare CEO
As employers in the senior care industry, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being and support of the caregivers who form the backbone of the caregiving ecosystem. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of the direct caregivers and frontline staff is essential in fostering a nurturing and sustainable work environment.
Recognition and Appreciation
Direct caregivers, including administrators, executive directors, CNAs, and home health aides, play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality of care for older adults. It is imperative to recognize and appreciate them for their compassionate and dedicated service.
Empowerment and Support
Empowering the frontline staff with the necessary tools and resources enables them to perform their duties efficiently. This entails offering comprehensive support, beyond mere financial compensation, to enhance their overall well-being and job satisfaction.
- Benefits beyond pay
- Providing housing and transportation assistance
- Access to essential resources
Employers can explore avenues to provide benefits such as housing assistance, transportation support, and access to essential resources, acknowledging their role in addressing housing challenges and improving their employees’ overall livelihoods.
Creating a Supportive Work Environment
Establishing a supportive work environment that prioritizes caregivers’ physical, emotional, and financial needs is fundamental to retaining a dedicated and motivated workforce. Employers can significantly alleviate the stress and financial burden on their employees by offering practical assistance, such as housing provisions and meal support.
Industry Changes Healthcare CEOs Need to Look Out For
As the senior care industry continues to evolve, several policy and procedural changes are poised to redefine the care landscape for older adults. These anticipated changes reflect a proactive approach to addressing residents’ growing needs and the ongoing challenges posed by health crises.
Health Screenings for Entry
Expect an increased emphasis on health screenings for entry into long-term care environments. This proactive measure aims to enhance resident safety, particularly during cold and flu seasons, by implementing stringent health checks to minimize the risk of infectious diseases.
Consistent Mask Use
Long-term care environments will likely enforce more consistent mask use for an extended duration, surpassing the general public’s practices. This approach serves as a protective measure, emphasizing the importance of infection control while also considering innovative solutions, such as transparent masks, to facilitate effective communication, especially for residents with hearing impairments.
Enhanced Health Monitoring
Anticipate a heightened focus on health monitoring within senior care facilities. This proactive approach involves diligent tracking of symptoms and a more responsive approach to addressing health concerns, aiming to prevent and minimize potential health risks among residents.
Shifting the Mindset Around Aging in America
Shifting the mindset around aging in America requires a fundamental change in perspective and a concerted effort to redefine the narrative surrounding the aging experience. By embracing a more inclusive and proactive approach, society can create an environment that fosters dignity, resilience, and a sense of purpose for older adults.
Embracing Cultural Diversity
Exploring and learning from diverse cultures, nations, and traditions can provide invaluable insights into alternative approaches to aging. By embracing the best practices from various communities, it becomes possible to cultivate a more comprehensive and adaptable model for aging in America.
Fostering Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing, both locally and globally, can facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas and strategies for enhancing the aging experience. This collaborative approach can lead to the development of tailored solutions that address the unique needs of older adults, transcending the limitations of conventional aging paradigms.
- Community engagement
- Building inter-generational connections
- Promoting mental and emotional well-being
Encouraging community engagement and nurturing intergenerational connections can create a supportive ecosystem that values the wisdom and contributions of older adults. Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being as integral components of the aging process can redefine the perception of aging as an enriching and fulfilling phase of life.
Older adults who have weathered past crises, such as the Great Depression, exemplify unparalleled resilience and fortitude in adversity.
Unmatched Toughness
Living through the Great Depression instilled a level of toughness that surpasses our comprehension, serving as a testament to the unwavering strength of older adults who navigated through such challenging times.
As we look ahead to the future of senior care, there is an opportunity to reimagine the aging experience and foster a more inclusive and proactive approach to caring for older adults. Embracing innovative solutions and prioritizing the well-being of seniors can lead to a transformative shift in the senior care industry.
Working Together as Healthcare CEOs to Create a Positive Change
Collaborative efforts are essential in driving positive change in the senior care industry, fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being and dignity of older adults.
Community Engagement
By actively engaging with local communities, we can create supportive ecosystems that value the wisdom and contributions of older adults, promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Inter-Generational Connections
Nurturing connections between different age groups fosters mutual understanding and respect, creating enriching experiences that benefit older adults and younger generations.
- Promoting mental and emotional well-being
- Fostering inclusive environments
- Embracing innovative care models
Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being as integral components of the aging process can redefine the perception of aging as an enriching and fulfilling phase of life, inspiring the development of innovative care models that cater to diverse needs.
