Revamp for Success: Town & Country Senior Living’s Word of the Year for 2024

At the beginning of each year, Michael Buckley, Arrow’s personal and professional development coach and “The Chief Feelings Officer,” asks each team member to pick a “Word of the Year.”

To help individuals come up with a word, he offers questions like:

What does your life need more of right now?

And my life will be improved if I have more of what?

Michael reminds us that sometimes, we need more focus. Then, other times, it’s more compassion, and at times, we need more fun! In past years, team members have chosen words such as clarity, confidence, intentional, commitment, consideration, and receptiveness.

This year, team members are actively selecting a Word of the Year for themselves and collaborating to create a word for their community. Picking a personal word and community word is a commitment to doing work on themselves and the “we” and “us” work they want to accomplish as a community.

The Town & Country Senior Living word of the year is revamp. 

This word is significant because this community needs it for a successful 2024. Acquisitions always allow us to see systems that work, systems that need TLC, and systems that make you turn your head and ask “why.” I am excited for this word of the year because we can revamp systems, procedures, teams, and resident culture. We can ensure those we serve at The Town & Country have what they need to be as independent as possible. Our teams have the tools to increase the value of care our residents are provided.

By setting an intention for the year, we’re shaping our community for success. It guides us to where we need to be. As we implement Arrow policies and revamp the systems and procedures in place, there will be no need for us to go backward unless it is to look back to see our progress.

We will incorporate the word into the community’s daily operations through my meetings with department heads, team members, residents, and family members. It is a positive, energetic word instead of “improve,” and this community needs energy to get to where it needs to be. Our residents, team, and families deserve it!

Our community’s most significant goals for the year are:

1. Increase census. My goal is to achieve a minimum occupancy rate of 90% by year-end. This involves optimizing apartment occupancy, retaining residents, and supporting our department heads’ success.
2. Provide this community with tenure. This past year, Town & Country has had four Executive Directors. I am determined to show the community I am committed and in it for the long haul.
3. Stabilize our departments. Stabilization of staff and ensuring adequate training will help us not only lower grievances and concerns from families and residents but also find the right people to help promote culture change and longevity, which is just what this community needs.

The chosen Word of the Year should inspire the team. If it doesn’t, it means they selected the wrong word. Hold yourself and others accountable throughout the year. Engage with team members about their Word of the Year and keep it as a frequent topic of discussion in your community. Monitor your achievements using your 2024 Word of the Year, and we eagerly anticipate celebrating them with you!