Category: Podcast

In this episode of Foresight Radio, Steve Moran sits down with Russell Rush, the managing director of R3R1 Consulting Group. Russell is an expert in senior living sales, lease-ups, and occupancy turnarounds. He shares his unique and highly effective sales approach, which focuses on storytelling and building deep personal connections with prospective residents.

They cover:

The Power of Storytelling in Sales

A Different Approach to Senior Living Sales

Socialization is the Key to Resident Well-being

Building a Story Bank

Storytelling Tactics That Work

Russell shares incredible success stories, a 70% conversion rate strategy, and the art of using storytelling to break down fear and inspire hope.

💭 What if your senior living community was tied to your life insurance policy? In China, that’s already happening.
Instead of paying an entrance fee, residents gain access by purchasing a high-value insurance policy—a model that has already pre-filled entire communities before they even open!
On the latest episode of Foresight Radio, Steve Moran chats with Kai Hsiao about groundbreaking insights on better models for senior living, pulling from his global experience managing thousands of communities.
They discuss:
👉 Why senior living in Asia sees 400+ residents engaging in activities while U.S. communities struggle to get 10 people to bingo.
👉 How labor shortages and immigration reform impact the future of senior care.
👉 Could health insurance giants like UnitedHealthcare transform the industry by integrating care + housing under one system?
🎥 Don’t miss this game-changing conversation!



In this episode of Foresight Radio, host Rachel Hill sits down with workforce engagement expert and author Joe Mull to discuss the evolving landscape of employee commitment and retention in the workplace. Joe shares insights from his book Employalty, breaking down what truly drives employees to stay, thrive, and perform at their best.
Top Takeaways

Commitment and retention stem from three key factors: Employees are most engaged when they have an ideal job, are doing meaningful work, and have a great boss who supports them.

Companies must shift from hiring the best people to creating the best jobs: The traditional model of “filling a role” is outdated. Employers must structure roles that align with employees’ evolving needs.

Workplace culture is not a pizza party: Culture is not defined by occasional perks but by consistent, repeated actions that reflect a company’s values and commitment to employees.

Turnover has hidden costs that leaders often ignore: Burnout, lost productivity, and training new hires cost far more than simply improving pay, workload, and flexibility.

A simple conversation can save an employee from leaving: Leaders should proactively check in with employees, using structured conversations to assess what they need to stay engaged.

Gen Z and millennials demand more — and that’s a good thing: Unlike past generations, younger employees won’t tolerate toxic work environments. Businesses that adapt to their needs will thrive in retention and performance.

The episode dives deep into how leaders can reframe their approach, measure their workplace culture, and take actionable steps to retain talent — before they walk out the door.

Laurie Orlov, Founder of the Aging and Health Technology Watch, joins Steve Moran to discuss their recently released comprehensive report on how AI is being used in Senior Living. They’ll be talking about her exciting findings!

Jack Cumming, undoubtedly the most famous, prominent resident in the entire senior living industry, joins Steve Moran to discuss what makes a great resident experience and what detracts. They’ll also reflect on the future of senior living and where it will likely go from here!

When longtime friends Steve Moran and Denise Boudreau get together, there’s no telling where the conversation will go!
Join us for a special episode of Foresight Radio as they dive into all things culture and joy — and maybe a few surprises along the way. With their deep connection and shared passion for building positive workplaces, this episode promises to be inspiring, insightful, and full of laughs. Don’t miss out on this joyful conversation — tune in!
This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV episode that aired live October 18, 2024.

In this episode of Foresight Radio, host Rachel Hill sits down with Mauricio Montes de Oca to discuss the transformative power of cultural adaptability in the workplace. As the conversation unfolds, Mauricio redefines diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with a fresh lens — emphasizing curiosity, connection, and belonging over checkboxes and assumptions. From the economic benefits of diverse thought to the power of understanding lived experiences, this episode is packed with insights to inspire senior living leaders and beyond.
Learn how fostering belonging not only enhances employee engagement but also strengthens market reach and organizational innovation. Mauricio shares his journey from Mexico City to Minnesota, lessons in overcoming language barriers, and how small acts of curiosity can create big impacts. Whether you’re leading a senior living community or looking to expand your cultural fluency, this conversation will leave you with actionable strategies and fresh perspectives.
Key Takeaways

Redefining DEI:

Move beyond the misconception that DEI is solely about race; consider “cultural adaptability” as a more inclusive framework.
Recognize diversity in age, socioeconomic background, neurodiversity, and lived experiences.

Curiosity Over Assumptions:

Ask thoughtful questions to understand individuals’ unique experiences instead of making assumptions.
Approach differences as opportunities for learning and growth, not division.

Belonging Drives Success:

Creating spaces where people feel celebrated, not just tolerated, is key to fostering a sense of belonging.
Belonging enhances creativity, innovation, and collaboration within teams.

Economic and Organizational Benefits of DEI:

Diverse teams outperform homogenous ones in decision-making, innovation, and market reach.
Embracing cultural diversity can attract top talent and improve financial performance.

Cultural Curiosity Starts Small:

Food, traditions, and everyday interactions offer simple ways to engage and learn about different cultures.
Celebrate commonalities and unique flavors—literally and metaphorically—within diverse communities.

Want to know how to turn the toughest senior living sales into big wins?
Russell Rush has mastered the art of filling impossible-to-fill communities, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in the process. In this episode of Foresight Radio, he sits down with Steve Moran to reveal his game-changing sales secrets.
From using proven techniques in innovative ways to shifting the approach to senior living sales, Russell shares insights you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss out on this episode — it’s packed with strategies that could transform your approach and boost your bottom line!
This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV livestream that aired September 27, 2024.

Senior living consultant Terry Rogers joins Steve Moran to discuss creating great cultures for residents and staff, technology, the emerging boomer senior living consumer, and more.
This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV livestream that aired October 4, 2024.

Veronica “Mo” Carr, owner of Avendele Homes, is a self-taught AI expert — doing things with AI that most big companies have yet to figure out. She will be teaching at the Foresight AI Lab in January. This is a preview of the things you will learn.
This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV livestream that aired October 4, 2024.

Steve Moran is joined by Lois Cormack, CEO of Spring Living Retirement Communities. They dive into the state of senior living and entrepreneurship in Canada.
This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV livestream that aired August 30, 2024.
 

Goldie Chan is a keynote speaker, author, advisor, and cancer survivor. She founded Warm Robots, an award-winning social media strategy and creative agency based in Los Angeles, with global clients.

Goldie won Journalist Of the Year in 2024 and was a senior Forbes contributor, with her internationally recognized column, Personal Branding and Storytelling in the Digital Age, where her articles were viewed almost 10 million times. She is working on her first book, Personal Branding for Introverts, coming out in late 2025.

Goldie is a member of the Producers Guild of America and has been featured as a fresh voice in the New York Times, CNN, Fast Company and more. She also writes for Archie Comics and loves good food.

In this episode, with host Rachel Hill, learn how senior living can better tell their story and make it more marketable!

This is the warmest conversation you’ve ever heard about data.

Does your staff know why they’re collecting all that information? Marty Damian, senior consultant at PointClickCare (a Foresight partner), shares how data collection has evolved, the best ways to use it now — and how it can lead to better resident care and family communication.

Steve Moran chats with Leon Grundstein, CEO at GenCare Lifestyle Senior Living, about his intense focus on healthy living and wellness.

This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV episode that aired live July 12, 2024.

Mark Parkinson is the President and CEO of AHCA and an effective, powerful, and passionate advocate for the nursing home industry. He joins Steve Moran to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Steve will be talking to Lola Rain about her quest to find more purpose and meaning in her own life and to help other senior living leaders find their purpose.

Register for the retreat here: https://wiselywellbeing.com/2024-purpose-retreat

Harvard Medical School professor David Grabowski, Ph.D., and Foresight founder Steve Moran explore the future of regulations, staffing minimums, and what Dr. Grabowski calls “a massive area of opportunity” (hint, hint — it has to do with health care).
Dr. Grabowski is a professor in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School. He is frequently quoted in the press as an expert on health policy, aging, and senior living.
This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV episode that aired live May 17, 2024.

“I don’t want to move into a nursing home.” It’s a misconception that Melissa Fritz hears all the time. And she’s addressing it — through a new TV show!

Inside Senior Living focuses on the process of moving into a senior living community — while knocking down myths and showing challenges and triumphs.

Join Melissa and Foresight Radio host Rachel Hill for a sneak peek into the show.

Learn more about Inside Senior Living here: https://insideseniorliving.tv/.

What does it mean to build a culture of promise?

Fee Stubblefield, CEO of The Springs Living, talks with host Rachel Hill about doing just that in senior living.

Building a culture of promise is about creating an environment where trust, respect, and care are paramount. Here’s why it matters:

Trust and security: Residents feel secure knowing their needs and concerns are always prioritized.

Quality of life: Honoring a commitment to a resident helps them have a great day.

Empowerment: A culture of promise empowers both residents and staff. It encourages accountability and inspires everyone to contribute positively to the community.

Reputation: Consistently keeping promises enhances the community’s reputation.

But don’t mistake this idea of promise as perfection. It is inevitable that you will fail, but that’s okay. It’s just another opportunity to get it right!

Rachel chats with Nate Hamme of the Ceca Foundation about fostering a positive workplace culture.

They cover:

WHY senior living team members and residents have some of the best and most compelling stories — but we rarely hear about them!

How Ceca honors frontline workers.

Why it’s so important to recognize your team members and let them know their value and that they are heard.

Learn how to motivate your team and create an environment where everyone thrives.

Severine Petras is one of the acknowledged leaders in the senior living space. She led the rapidly expanding and successful Priority Life Care during a turbulent time in senior living and the economy.

In this episode, Sevy and Steve Moran talk some of the trickier points of senior living, including the pros and cons of REITs, whether senior living is health care, and the role of tech in senior living’s future.

This is a first-time podcast broadcast of a Foresight TV episode that aired live March 8, 2024.

Connor Shepherd has been creating AI solutions for businesses since 2018 — yep, long before ChatGPT!

In this episode, Connor and Steve Moran barrel through the AI hype and getting to the truth: What’s AI good at and not-so? What are the best (and worst) prompt tips?

Learn what AI can do in your organization — and what the future holds.

This is a first-time podcast broadcast of the Foresight TV episode “What AI Can Do for You!” a Foresight TV episode that aired live December 8, 2023.

Joanna LaFleur is reimagining the future of dementia care! Her approach goes beyond conventional methods, intertwining empathy and innovation — catering to each resident’s unique needs.

Join us for a conversation about creating an environment that nurtures residents’ physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being — making sure every individual is celebrated for the unique journey they’ve lived, and continue to live.

Joanna is the CEO and founder of Memory Lane Foundation.

Support Foresight Radio – Buy us a Coffee

Big news! Today, we’re bringing Foresight TV to the podcast, for the first time!

Foresight TV is our flagship video livestream. It’s hosted by Foresight founder Steve Moran and features amazing guests who talk about leadership, culture and more.

We’ll be weaving these episodes in between the ones hosted by the phenomenal Rachel Hill.

First up: Steve and Adam Benton (of Stellar Senior Living) started debating in the comments of a LinkedIn post — and keep it going in this episode! True to Steve form — never shying from tough topics.

Do we have enough senior living communities to fill the future need? Steve and Adam sound off.

If you enjoy this podcast, please show support by buying Foresight Radio a cup of coffee.

James Lee and Nicole Will are shaking up senior living! They’re pushing innovation and change, in part through their collaborative, small group event, Think Tank.
Think Tank is a unique opportunity to share ideas, insights, and experiences — and redefine the standards of excellence in the senior living industry.
It’s time to think outside the box, collaborate across disciplines, and work differently to create a brighter future.
———-
Find James on LinkedIn here. Find Nicole on LinkedIn here.

Being fit doesn’t just mean being able to run a triathlon. It can also mean maintaining flexibility, mobility, and as much independence as you can.
Ben Broadhead is a personal trainer who specializes in older adults. “They are alienated from the fitness space,” he says. “You don’t see them on the gym floor.”
Ben and Rachel chat about how you can take control of your physical health at any age. Small steps can lead to big gains — whether you want to play on the floor with kids or get up from the toilet by yourself.
Listen in for fitness inspo for all ages!
Where to find Ben Broadhead:

Website
Book: 50 Exercises for Older Adults
Facebook
Instagram
X

Where to find Foresight:

SeniorLivingForesight.net
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
X

Unlock the power of a caregiving roadmap!

Embarking on the caregiving journey? Let’s talk about this game-changer: “Roadmap for Eldercare,” by the incredible Christie Freeze, founder of CAREbyChristie and self-described eldercare evangelist!

Here’s why a roadmap is your secret weapon:

Clarity in chaos: A roadmap brings order, helping you navigate twists and turns.

Empowerment: It gives you insights, resources, and a strategic plan.

Team collaboration: Share the roadmap with your support team to foster better communication and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Self-care reminder: Include gentle reminders to prioritize your well-being, ensuring you have the stamina.

Prevent burnout: Include breaks, respite, and coping mechanisms.

Celebrate milestones: Every small victory counts! A roadmap allows you to celebrate achievements along the way, providing motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Adaptability: Life is unpredictable. A roadmap is not rigid – it’s adaptable!

Ready to transform your caregiving journey?

Check out our conversation with Christie!

You can find her at https://www.carebychristie.com.

At age 77, Jane Leder became a podcaster. On her show, Older Women & Friends, she takes a deep dive into what it’s like getting older, dispels stereotypes, and spotlights contributions older women make.
In this episode, Rachel and Jane discuss the realities of aging — and explore some of the wisdom that often comes with it.
—–
Where to find Jane Leder:
 

Website
Older Women & Friends
LinkedIn
Facebook Group
Instagram
X

Is your team as motivated as you wish they’d be?
If they aren’t, this episode has tons of tips you’re going to love!
Danny Cords is an organizational psychologist (cool, right?) who coaches leaders on how to motivate their teams and get the best from them.
Danny advocates for a person-first culture, nurturing resilience through disruption.
Curious about what the heck that means? Listen in!

Everybody’s got baggage. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Jean Hartnett, founder of Radical Sabbatical, coaches leaders and caregivers on trauma-informed care in senior living. Rather than leading from a place of “leave it at the door,” the goal of this approach is to invite in the whole, authentic person — and help people have compassion for each other.

Book reference: “First, Break All the Rules” by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

Topics:

3:35: What is trauma-informed care?
8:44: “The body keeps the score.”
11:35: Attachment styles and how they show up at work.
17:20: Getting to the heart of who your employees are.
24:00: Personalizing orientation.
27:24: Workbook on personal trauma.
32:29: Relating to others through a trauma-informed lens.
41:53: What does “radical sabbatical” mean?
45:58: The trauma of working through COVID.

Fine artist Sky Bergman set out to film her grandmother.

Within a few years, she’d directed her first film, interviewed dozens more people, and launched a project to foster intergenerational connections.

Sky shares invaluable interview tips — and what she’s learned from older people. Her film, Lives Well Lived, is currently airing on PBS.

Rachel talks with Blima Ehrentreu, the founder and CEO of The Designers Group, about elevating senior living spaces — for both residents and staff — and why peaceful spaces are important parts of the healing process.

George Akerman, PhD, JD, is on a mission to ensure that no one is alone in the fight against Parkinson’s. In memory of his mother, he launched TogetherForSharon to raise awareness and hope for a cure. Along the way, he’s collected 300 Parkinson’s-related stories.

His mission — his movement — has impacted people around the country. Host Rachel Hill talks with him about how it all started — and how one person’s mission can make a difference in so many lives.

This may be the most thoughtful, nonjudgmental discussion about ageism you’ve heard.
Meg LaPorte and Jordan Evans have set out to counter “the last acceptable -ism” — through artistic activism. They talk with host Rachel Hill about the nuances of ageism, and how art can start a dialogue around it in a nonconfrontational way, that brings everyone into the discussion.

This week, we go behind-the-mic with Nicole Will, host of the popular podcast Navigating the World With Your Aging Loved One
Nicole shares what inspired her to leave senior living and start a company focused on enhancing older people’s lives and well-being.
Spoiler alert: It has a lot to do with her grandmother — and what she learned as a young person during her family’s caregiving journey.

What’s it like to be a caregiver for someone with dementia — before they need senior living, and as they’re newly navigating it?
What if we could better support them during this process, helping them get the right care, at the right time?
Carrie Aalberts, the “Dementia Darling,” of The Continuum, gives us insights from working directly with caregivers. Learn why she says, “The whole system is setting caregivers up to fail and they think it’s their fault because they can’t figure out this process” — and how we can make things better.

What do Ernest Hemingway, lifestyle photography, and storytelling have to with senior living?! Join us for this unique episode, where we hear from Georgia-based photographer Tom Sanders.
We cover:

How photography is in Tom’s blood — dating back to a famous photo his grandfather took of Ernest Hemingway
How to help make someone feel comfortable in front of the camera
Why images are a a powerful part of telling your community’s story

And take away the lesson that “we are going to get old, and when you can recognize that, you can live more in the now.”

Learn more about Tom:
Website: https://tomsandersphoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_sanders_photography/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-sanders-b372b1139/
 

The great Christy Van Der Westhuizen stops by! She’s dropping sales wisdom that will change your game — and your mindset. Learn the best sales questions to ask upfront, what to do when you’re having a bad month, and why she has her blinders on right now. Christy is the senior VP of sales and marketing at Legend Senior Living, based in Wichita, Kansas. Her view: Sales is about empathy — and that means for yourself too.

Tighten your belt, grit your teeth — recession! Fear it! … Or don’t. What if prep and optimism replaced anxiety? What if your community were positioned to win no matter the economy? Molly Good, regional marketing director at Otterbein SeniorLife, is positioning her teams and communities for strength. This is an upbeat, motivating episode that everybody in senior living needs to hear!

What happens when home care meets assisted living and then loops affordable housing into the mix? Home Caregivers in Cookeville, Tennessee, happens! Inspired by homes for people with intellectual disabilities, Kosta Yepifantsev is turning long-term care on its head, keeping people in the community but providing the care they need. Learn about this model and its outcomes — and future plans — in this week’s episode of Foresight Radio.

Is your dining … boring? Well, get ready, ’cause you’re about to meet Elvis Burrows! He transitioned from luxury dining to senior living and infused a level of creativity and innovation that you have to hear to believe. Get inspired — and get excited again! He’s making it work, and he’ll tell you how.

Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant — find the right price for your senior living community every time — and by ResHub, the connection hub you’ve been looking for.

It’s dementia insight from Down Under! Psychiatrist and brain health coach Kailas Roberts comes to us all the way from Australia, sharing the latest in how to prevent and delay dementia. Plus: Want to know your dementia risk? There’s an app for that — and he developed it.
Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant — find the right price for your senior living community every time — and by ResHub, the connection hub you’ve been looking for.

After her dementia diagnosis, “my mom was — not hysterical, but not doing well either,” recalls author and inspirational speaker Loretta Veney. “The only thing I really could promise her was that we would have joy every day.”

Inspiration plus practical tips plus, um, Legos? You don’t want to miss this heartfelt episode about preparing for what’s to come … and finding joy when it does.

Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant — find the right price for your community every time — and by ResHub, the connection hub for your community.

What if you could monitor residents’ emotional well-being every single day? Embot uses AI to gauge a person’s mood … by analyzing their voice and facial expressions. One goal is to detect problems early, such as depression and anxiety disorders, and ultimately improve well-being. Host Rachel Hill dives into the tech with co-founder Tanel Petelot.
Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant, helping you price your units to sell.

“So often as caregivers, we don’t pause to take the win. We’re so focused on doing it perfect. We have to let go of perfectionism. There is no perfect, just do the best you can, which is what they’re doing.”
Debbie Compton is a three-time caregiver for parents with different forms of dementia. She is a Certified Caregiving Consultant, Certified Caregiver Advocate, Educator for the Alzheimer’s Assoc. and author of 9 books.
Debbie is the founder of The Purple Vine LLC, whose mission is to empower caregivers with the tools and strategies needed to reduce stress, avoid burnout, and learn to laugh again.
Connect with Debbie on LinkedIn Follow on FaceBook Read her blog and join her tribe.
Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant, helping you price your units to sell.

What’s the latest thinking on brain health? Can dementia sometimes be prevented? How do nutrition, lifestyle and even lifelong learning factor in? Krystal Culler, DBH, founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center, shares insights you can use for yourself and with your residents! Learn about holistic brain health — and how to make your brain work up a sweat — with host Rachel Hill.
Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant, helping you price your units to sell.

“Purpose doesn’t grow old. It doesn’t expire,” says Rose Joudi, PhD. She coaches senior living professionals who work with diverse populations. Get her insights into how to support all your residents, no matter their language, culture, or socioeconomic background — and how to encourage their pursuit of purpose.
Brought to you by Further’s Pricing Assistant, helping you price your units to sell.

There’s a dementia village-inspired community in Kansas — designed especially for Kansans. Rather than a mini city, like Amsterdam’s Hogeweyk, this one is a mini farmstead — complete with a few chickens, goats, and pigs!
Host Rachel Hill welcomes Mandy Shoemaker, co-founder of Prairie Elder Care and Connectivities to discuss innovative, simple ways to foster connections with — and between — residents living with dementia.
This episode is brought to you by Further. Their Pricing Assistant Dashboard Streamlines Your Competitive Market Analysis Process by Using Proactive Notifications to Identify Key Revenue Opportunities.

Joint Commission accreditation for senior living?! It’s happening … more and more, in fact — especially in assisted living and skilled nursing. It’s quality control but also a marketing differentiator! Achieve Accreditation (a Foresight partner) helps communities prep. Learn the process, as Kristin Bratcher and Kerri Hackstock join host Rachel Hill on Foresight Radio.
This episode is brought to you by Further.

How ’bout this: a YouTube series, an improv class, and showcases — all starring your residents! Evan Johnson fosters creativity and unexpectedness through the performing arts as program director at Elder Ashram (Oakland, California) and as founding director of Cosmic Elders Theatre Ensemble (San Francisco). Get artsy ideas and inspiration in this episode of Foresight Radio, with Rachel Hill.

“Contemporary marketing is not selling at all.” Dean Palombaro, Foundation Health’s director of vibes (seriously), uses social media to elevate the perception of senior living, and to recruit staff. And it’s working. On TikTok alone (with 4.5M likes), he’s done things like convert 15 to 20 people in two months from agency to full-time staff. Host Rachel Hill finds out how.

Does it feel like your light bulbs are always burning out? It’s time to start talking about wellness, it’s time to start talking about how we stay energized as leaders. Rachel talks with Kathy Parry about her new book that talks about how leaders in senior living need to address their own wellness and their own “why.”

What’s up with WhatsApp’s safety? Why might older people be on Instagram and TikTok more than they used to be? … How many old computers does everybody else have in their closet, and what should we do with them? (Asking for a friend.) Tune in as Rachel Hill talks tech with Burton Kelso, speaker and chief tech expert at Integral. It’s the techiest Foresight Radio episode this year (so far)!

There’s a piano singalong, and then there’s music therapy. In this episode, Tara Jenkins, of Harmony in Dementia, shares with Foresight’s Rachel Hill what the difference is — and how customized music therapy can increase socialization, communication, self-expression, and emotional well-being. It can even improve staff/resident encounters!

Christie Freeze helps families navigate caregiving and senior living — and drop the guilt. And she does it in one 90-minute consultation. Learn about her Roadmap for Eldercare. Plus: the simple, unique way she uses video for leads.

A five-star hot dog? Yep. That’s what Aaron Fish of Trestle Hospitality Concepts says we ought to be providing — five-star service and presentation with every meal, in every venue. But it’s not about being fancy. It’s about being thoughtful and personal. It’s about the experience. Rachel and Aaron chat about menu hacking, being adaptable, and more.

Dr. DeLon Canterbury is a geriatric pharmacist with a mission to DE-prescribe seniors. He has worked to help seniors (and their families) advocate for themselves when it comes to medications, making sure that all the medications make sense for the individual. He is committed to giving seniors their lives back by REMOVING them from unnecessary medications and giving them a voice in their healthcare.

Rachel goes solo this week to give some perspective on the outside view of senior living. She’d never worked in senior living when she joined the SLF team but had a personal history with the industry.
She talks about what it was like coming in without a lot of industry experience and connections, how the industry is not what she thought it was, and what her hopes are for the future.

Dr. Nakeisha Rodgers trains medical professionals to help their older patients “age like royalty.”
In this episode, Rachel talks with Dr. Rodgers — a geriatrician, educator, author, and speaker — about simple ways medical professionals suss out whether an ailment is purely physical or is stemming from depression or another mental illness.

This week, on Foresight Radio: Sasha Dawn discovers the power of tech, gaming, and togetherness — and launches live, virtual gameshows for senior living residents across the country.
For 30 minutes we played. And for 30 minutes, all of us forgot where we were and connected. And at the end of the game, we all cried. … In that moment, Rachel, I thought “This — this is what I’m here for. This is my magic.”
— Sasha Dawn, CEO and founder, Utopia Experiences

In a room at Wheelock Terrace, a projector hangs from the ceiling. This unassuming box contains a high-tech, award-winning gaming system for people with dementia.
It’s called Tovertafel — “magic table” in Dutch. It beams images onto the table or floor, and people interact with them in “purposeful play.” The games are designed to use parts of the brain that don’t get damaged by Alzheimer’s.
Hear from Sjoerd Wennekes and Cindy Wiegand about how it’s working in this community.

Ever thought about opening an adult daycare? Kris Chana went from running a small assisted living community to launching ActivAge, a now-booming adult day care and in-home care franchise. As the CAREpreneur, he teaches and inspires fellow senior living entrepreneurs through his podcast, YouTube, and more. Here’s his story.
Check out ActivAge at ADCPRO.COM

The story: Kisco Senior Living has this pandemic thing down to a [cutting-edge but FDA-approved] science. They’ve got testing most people have never heard of, transparency many communities run in fear of, and “guidance, not dictates” executive directors dream of. Hear how they’re leading-by-example the industry forward. 
The guest: Ed Ward, vice president of operations and care services, Kisco Senior Living.
Your host: Rachel Hill, Senior Living Foresight.
“We saw the strain on our front line. … We’ve really looked at, how do we address [the labor shortage]? … We’ve introduced a whole set of new HR benefits — associate benefits — that is pretty impressive. Things like sabbaticals for our executive directors and our community management team. After they’ve worked at Kisco for five years, they can take a month off, and it doesn’t impact their vacation balance. They can go and explore and refresh and renew. … I’ve never been a part of an organization that does that.
— Ed Ward

The story: Using creative, interactive tools, Leslie Fuller helps people understand folks with dementia better. Get insights that could change how you think about your residents — and make every day better for you, them, and your staff. 
The guest: Leslie Fuller, Inspired Senior Care
Your host: Rachel Hill, Senior Living Foresight.
“[A colleague] had a staff member come back to her after a training one day, and she said, ‘I can’t thank you enough, because I don’t feel afraid of my residents anymore.’ That struck me to the core …. Why do staff leave? They leave for a multitude of reasons. But if you are having staff going in, trying to provide support and care and partnership for individuals who have brain change going on, and they don’t understand anything about what that brain change really means and how it’s going to affect communication and how to maybe help somebody through a difficult time … I might leave too!” 
— Leslie Fuller

The story: She was trained in neurology. But when her own mother showed signs of dementia, she dismissed them. Now, she’s offering insights into what your residents’ family members are going through — and why denial isn’t always denial.
The guest: Elaine Pereira, speaker, caregiver, and author of I Will Never Forget.
Your host: Rachel Hill, Senior Living Foresight.
“There’s a fine line between denial and literally ignorance. And I don’t mean ignorance disrespectfully. I felt I was ignorant. People [would] share with me all this stuff, and I [was] like, ‘[She’s] not like that when I’m there.’ And they’re rolling their eyes, going, ‘This girl’s really out of it. She is in total denial.’ But you can’t be in denial if you don’t understand what it is that’s going on. So you’re just bewildered.”
— Elaine Pereira

The story: Recruiting and retaining people 40 and younger requires new skillsets. Here’s how to get future leaders flocking your way. (And how to make the “participation trophy” mindset work in your favor!)
The guest: Cara Silletto, president and chief retention officer, Magnet Culture.
Your host: Rachel Hill, Senior Living Foresight.
For “the older generations — especially Gen X — it was just, ‘Work harder, make more money. Work harder, make more money,’ with a lot of folks. They wanted to get their family to a good, comfortable lifestyle. … Then you had the millennials, who swung the pendulum the other direction and said, ‘Be a starving artist. Do what you love, but who cares about the money?’ … Gen Z is kind of in the middle. … ‘I want to do what I love, but I’m going to make money doing it. … I want to keep job-hopping until I find a place I love to work.’”
— Cara Silletto
__________________________________________
Where to find us:
Website:
https://www.seniorlivingforesight.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seniorforesight/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SeniorForesight
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/seniorforesight/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SeniorForesight

The story: He graduated nursing school at age 21. Five years later, he owns and runs an assisted living home … and has a YouTube channel with 13.4K subscribers. His advice to up-and-comers? Get on with it already! The guest: Serg Lupescu, owner and manager, Legion Manor (Mesa, Arizona); creator, Legion Assisted Living Academy.Your host: Rachel Hill, Senior Living Foresight“I saw a great opportunity [in assisted living], as far as being able to help. My parents are older too. … I already had the health care experience. So I’m like, how can I utilize it? … I think a lot of people overcomplicate when they’re looking at doing something. They look too much into it or try to find their reason or their why or passion. I think if you see an opportunity, just go for it, and make the most of it.
—Serg Lupescu

Where to find us:

Website:
https://www.seniorlivingforesight.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seniorforesight/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SeniorForesight
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/seniorforesight/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SeniorForesight

The story: UpsideHōM is senior living for people who don’t want senior living. Its à la carte model—merging tech with human engagement—enables residents to live their own lives, not everybody else’s.
The guest: Jake Rothstein, founder and CEO, UpsideHōM
Your host: Rachel Hill, Senior Living Foresight
“We have this propensity to think that an older adult, just because they’re older or they might have wrinkles on their face, wants different things out of life [than a younger person]. And I think that’s a fallacy. … I see a future where there is a whole host of varieties and options in senior living. … The future includes all of us. That’s the best way I can put it.”
—Jake Rothstein

The story: She went from management to marketing. And now she loves her job! Here’s how to chase your true passions in senior living — and convince leadership to support you.The guest: Millicent Moad-Hageman, director of content marketing, Integrated Senior LifestylesYour host: Lola Rain, Senior Living Foresight“Start looking inward and being honest with yourself about what you do in your current role that excites you, that makes you smile. … How much of your time is spent doing something that you love? If it’s 80%, that’s fantastic. If it’s 20%, that’s when you start to be honest with yourself — ‘I love the industry that I’m in, but maybe what I’m doing isn’t exactly what I am meant to do.’”
​—Millicent Moad-Hageman

The story: Do your residents want quinoa or crawfish? It depends … on more than you might think. Plus: how to start increasing diversity in senior living, how Lemonheads can be a great selling tool, and why you—yes, you—are somebody’s goal!
The guest: Vanessa Lambert, business development executive, Sodexo
Your host: Rachel Hill
“People always, ask me, ‘How do you work in senior living communities? Isn’t so sad?’ I’m like, ‘No, do you understand that these people are cool?’ … It’s exciting to me. It’s not sad at all. It’s so great to hear about all of their accomplishments! … More people would be in senior living if we could continue to break down those misconceptions and those walls about why senior living is sad and weird and not the place for a 20-something-year-old or somebody right out of college.”
—Vanessa Lambert

The story: What does a VP of innovations do? Shape the community of the future, of course! Learn how one CCRC sold 46 units before breaking ground— plus, why the company launched in-home services and incorporated robots.
The guest: Joe Velderman, vice president of innovations, Cypress Living
Your host: Lola Rain, growth strategist, Senior Living Foresight
“We launched the Oaks marketing campaign in January of 2020, and then six weeks later, COVID-19 hit.” The architects and builder created conceptual drawings and videos. With those new assets and a killer marketing and sales team, “I think we sold all of the villas in about a month.”
—Joe Velderman

Grab some eggnog, and prepare to get heart warmed—with senior living holiday traditions from around the country.
Featuring holiday stories from: 

Kim Utecht Prayfrock, Oak Meadows Senior Living (Oakdale, Minnesota)
Fara Gold McLaughlin, Senior Living Foresight
Mary Beth Flynn, Artfully Aging (Glencoe, Missouri)
Jessica Bourque, Sharon Towers (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Michael Holtzclaw, Gayco Healthcare (Dublin and Alpharetta, Georgia)

Hosted by Rachel Hill, and featuring the vocal talents of Susan Saldibar and MaryLee Herrmann.
Happy holidays to you and yours.

Pam McDonald has served as the host of Foresight Radio since we began. She has recently stepped back from the role and we wanted to show our appreciation for all that she has done over the past three years. Here’s to you, Pam.

Steve Moran interviews Deborah Potter with SageAge Strategies (a Foresight partner). They discuss how the entire approach to marketing senior living is changing, how staffing challenges are affecting marketing strategies, and the importance of cultivating empathy as a skill among senior living staff.
Also, check out SageAge Strategies’ LinkedIn page.

Sales expert and chief marketing officer for Vitality Living, Julie Podewitz reveals some of her secrets for senior living occupancy success in her book, Solving the Occupancy Puzzle: A Senior Living Regional Director Sales Playbook. Interviewed by Lola Rain, Foresight Radio host, Julie notes that her book includes a list of 19 “if-then” solutions for solving specific occupancy challenges. Learn more about the book here.

EVP Bob Burg describes for Foresight Radio Host Pam McDonald the role Moves for Seniors, a logistics and transport company, can play when emergency evacuation is needed by senior living communities. Learn more by listening to the episode today and visit their website for more information

Your community’s rehab and wellness programs can give you a competitive edge. Cathy Berry and Hal Price tell Foresight Radio Host Pam McDonald how via done-for-you marketing by Healthcraft Creative Solutions. They also discuss their in-depth analytics to pinpoint post-acute healthcare target customers in local marketplaces. Learn more, listen today.

In our newest episode, Foresight Publisher Steve Moran describes to Foresight Radio host Pam McDonald the tremendous value he gains from attending professional conferences. “First,” he says is, “connecting with old friends” and making new ones. Additionally, he delights in the opportunity to learn new things. And he notes: “Frankly, it’s a time to have a lot of fun.” Learn Steve’s conference-going tips, listen to the episode today.

As Kisco Senior Living’s first Environmental Health and Safety Director Mizuki Sato-Berkeland helps ensure its communities are “the best places for their residents to live and associates to work.” She tells Foresight Radio Host Pam McDonald that the crux of her job is improving health and safety processes, staying on top of compliance and regulatory items, and educating and training staff around things that allow everybody to stay safe. Listen to the episode today.

National Assisted Living Week — Sep.12 – 18 — is a perfect opportunity to build relationships with your local elected officials. Foresight Radio Host Pam McDonald interviews Helen Crunk with the National Center for Assisted Living about this year’s theme and ideas for activities. She also talks with Sally Michael, Director of the California Assisted Living Association, on why these relationships can be so valuable to individual communities and to the senior living industry. Check out nalw.org for products and additional ideas!

A unique partnership between Kendal Corporation and the San Francisco Zen Center brings the nation’s first Zen-inspired CCRC to Healdsburg, California. With 95% of its capacity reserved — before groundbreaking — it’s obviously an idea whose time has come. Learn what makes this innovation in senior living so special. Listen here.

Through her company, Drive, Denise Boudreau-Scott assists long-term care communities to establish company cultures that attract and retain staff. Denise tells Foresight Radio Producer Pam McDonald that the onboarding process can set the stage. “Be intentional,” she recommends. “What really counts is the feeling the new hire gets with each interaction. Make sure the feeling that’s coming across is the feeling you want it to be?” Listen today. Click here to request your copy of 65 Ways for Attracting, Onboarding & Keeping the Best.


Abbie Richie tells Pam McDonald, Host of Foresight Radio, that she founded her company, Senior Savvy, to bring training and support with tech software and devices to seniors.
Sometimes referred to by her students as their “technical fairy godmother”, Abbie says, “It’s truly the marriage of two things I love — all things tech and helping older people.
Abbie’s home is in Phoenix, Arizona, where there are lots of retirement communities. She started calling them, offering a workshop titled “Cell Phone Secrets for Seniors.” She says, “By the end of the day, I’d called five communities and got three bookings.”
The pandemic shut down her in-person sessions, but she began offering classes over Zoom, launched a YouTube channel, and has an “Ambassador” program through which communities can buy blocks of tech support time for their residents. “I do get a lot of calls from adult children too,” Abbie says. “They need help with their technology themselves or are too frustrated to be in this dynamic with their folks.” Get all details from Abbie about the programs and services from Senior Savvy; listen to the podcast today.

Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA) unveils for Steve Moran, Senior Living Foresight Publisher, the next iteration of senior living — regenerative communities. These communities, Chip explains, are designed so residents can contribute to regenerating 1) the soil, 2) their soul, 3) the community, and 4) the locale. Learn all the details. Listen today.