TALA’s Workforce Survey Results Reveal the Heart of “Why” People Choose a Career in Senior Living
In July and August of 2024, TALA’s Workforce Development Committee conducted a survey distributed to TALAView subscribers. One hundred and three (103) individuals responded to the survey to share their stories. Below is a summary of what respondents expressed on “WHY” they choose a career in senior living. When asked, “How did you hear about jobs in Senior Living? “respondents were most referred by family or a friend, followed by an online job ad, then a loved one in senior living. The results show the value in internal referral opportunities, along with online job postings. “How did you hear about [...]
Ruling on the FTC Non-Compete Final Rule and Texas Guidance on Non-Competes by Richard Cheng
On August 20, 2024, in the Ryan LLC v. Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, Judge Ada Brown of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, struck down a final Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule to ban non-competition agreements asserting that the rule will not be enforced by the FTC or have the ban take into effect. The Texas district court’s decision setting aside the FTC rule makes it the first court to reach a final decision. What is the FTC Non-Competition Rule? The FTC non-competition final rule (the “Final Rule”) would have taken into effect on September 4, [...]
HHSC Reports Exceptionally Positive Results from a Quality of Assisted Living Study
In 2021 the Texas Legislature instructed the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to survey Assisted Living communities in the state of Texas and evaluate the quality care and services. The study was conducted in 2022 through a partnership between the HHSC and the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Center for Excellence in Aging Services and Long-term Care. Researchers conducted hundreds of on-site visits, interviewed staff, met with residents, and sent out hundreds of questionnaires with over 150 questions. The impact of the HHSC and UT Austin study is wide reaching and significant. The HHSC is the regulatory agency [...]
Leadership That Waltzes with Assisted Living – by Ty Jones
Ty Jones hosted the Leadership Intensive at the TALA 2024 Annual Conference and Industry Expo. First, let me say thank you to Diana, the TALA Board of Directors, and our 2024 leadership intensive sponsor LifeWell Senior Living. It was an honor to conduct the three-hour Leadership Intensive workshop at the 2024 TALA Leadership Conference. A special thanks to all the session attendees for their unselfish and proactive participation throughout the entire duration of the workshop. Collectively, as a group, we dared to do something different and rare at a conference: everyone shared their biggest challenge (leadership and/or operational related) and [...]
Highlights from 2024 Annual TALA Conference and Industry Expo
TALA’s signature event is the Annual Conference and Industry Expo, typically held each spring. The TALA Conference and Industry Expo brings together professionals from across the state of Texas to learn, network, and grow. The 2024 Conference featured a loaded schedule with industry experts, Nursing, Dementia, and Leadership tracks, Hero awards, an Olympian, and more. Here are a few highlights. TALA 2024 began at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort with a packed day of engaging nursing track sessions and a leadership intensive presented by a TALA favorite, Ty Jones. In the evening, industry partners, provider members, board members, and [...]
Transparency in Leadership
This article is the fifth of a five-part series Become a Great Senior Living Leader by the TALA Workforce Development Committee. Leading with transparency has multiple benefits to an organization and its people. Transparency is often thought to refer to something that is permeable or see though. When it comes to leadership, transparency refers more to integrity, being open and honest. While it is understood that not every aspect of a business can be shared in its totality (i.e. we don’t share our entire profit and loss statement or internal quality assurance documents with the public) but leading with a [...]
Consistency in Leadership
This article is the fourth of a five-part series Become a Great Senior Living Leader by the TALA Workforce Development Committee. Stay tuned each week for the next in the series. There are multiple traits that make a successful leader in Senior Living: high emotional intelligence, integrity, respect, self-awareness, communication. One trait that is also key in moving the needle in your business is consistency. What Are the Benefits of Leading with Consistency? Leading with consistency means that a leader builds a sense of security with both their team and the residents and families they serve. There are multiple benefits of [...]
Self-Differentiation & Why It’s Important in Work Relationships
This article is the third of a five-part series Become a Great Senior Living Leader by the TALA Workforce Development Committee. Stay tuned each week for the next in the series. Differentiation of self is a psychological state in which someone can maintain their sense of self, identity, thoughts, and emotions when emotionally or physically close with others, particularly within intense relationships. What Is Differentiation of Self? Differentiation of self means separating personal feelings and thoughts from those of co-workers, friends, or other networks. Doing so may sound simple, but this ability is not innate and rarely employed. For example, emotions like [...]
What is Emotional Intelligence?
This article is the second of a five-part series Become a Great Senior Living Leader by the TALA Workforce Development Committee. Stay tuned each week for the next in the series. Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to understand and manage your emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. The term was first coined in 1990 by researchers John Mayer and Peter Salovey but was later popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman.The most effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as [...]
Getting to Know Staff Needs
This article is the first of a five-part series Become a Great Senior Living Leader by the TALA Workforce Development Committee. Stay tuned each week for the next in the series. Let’s start off by stating the fact that we all want to be truly seen and truly known. The workplace is no exception. Famous psychologist, Abraham Harold Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs[1] lists five basic needs for all humans: Self-Actualization Self-Esteem Love & Belonging Safety & Security Physiological needs Four of the five relate to one’s desire to be known: Love and Belonging, Self Esteem, Self-Actualization and Safety [...]
TALA Achieves Great Place to Work Certification for 4th Consecutive Time
TALA has been recognized for the January 2024-January 2025 year as a Great Place to Work®, an internationally respected workplace culture authority. TALA President and CEO Diana Martinez said, “Being recognized with the Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification is an honor. The team at TALA is the backbone of this organization, being certified as a great place to work means TALA employees feel working at TALA is a positive and enriching experience. This is the fourth certification in a row that TALA has received from GPTW. TALA places a high importance on culture and is appreciative of this recognition.” [...]
Measuring Workforce Health: Finding Insights in Payroll Data
The workforce is a topic at the forefront for most senior living operators as operators determine the best way to balance labor and business priorities without compromising on resident care. Measuring workforce health quantitatively can be challenging, particularly because payroll data can be complex. However, there are a few simple and actionable ways to use payroll data to measure workforce health by using three key performance indicators (KPIs). KPI 1: New Hire Turnover Within 90 Days Definition: the number of employees who leave less than 90 days after their start date. How to Calculate It: Pick a period (i.e., June [...]
Insights from Recent TALAHour: Successful Integration of Independent Living into Assisted Living, with Pi Architects and Civitas Senior Living
Senior living is much more complex, varied, and creative than ever, and residents and their families expect diverse and numerous amenities. Innovation and flexibility are keys to thriving in this evolving market, and both come into play with the successful integration of independent living into assisted living, the topic of a recent TALAHour webinar hosted by Misty Powell, Chief Program Officer/Co-Founder of Civitas Senior Living, and Greg Hunteman, President of Pi Architects. The two hosts, both TALA members and frequent collaborators on several projects, talked about the different models of integration, the advantages and challenges of each, and how to [...]
2024 Conference: Theme Announcement and Exciting Changes
The 2024 Annual TALA Conference and Industry Expo (#tala2024) will include some changes to continue to build value and excitement for attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. First, you may have noticed the name change: TALA decided to make the former “Trade Show” into the “Industry Expo.” This name change reflects the significance and involvement of TALA’s incredible Industry Partners in the Industry Expo. TALA is extremely grateful for your continued support. This year’s conference will feature a new app that has a simpler user interface and much easier usability to manage your personal conference schedule, find helpful floorplans, stay up to [...]
Emergency Preparation and TALA Member Benefits
A benefit that long-term care communities have in Texas is the ability to be registered for priority power restoration following a loss of power. Under Texas Utilities Code 38.072, Assisted Living communities and other types of long-term care have the same status as priority power restoration that a hospital has. However, to be considered for priority power restoration, an Assisted Living community, including smaller-sized four or five-bedroom homes, must be listed as either a commercial or business customers with their utility providers. Assisted Living communities (ALs) in areas with retail electric competition (i.e., where there is a choice of electrical [...]
TALA Launches Leadership Development Series
TALA is excited to announce the launch of a new online Leadership Development Series (LDS). The LDS was created to support new and existing senior living employees as they transition into a supervisory leadership role. The series will build a foundation for employees that do not have previous leadership or management experience and is specific to the senior living industry. The LDS is structured so that participants can complete the program in their own time. The program is broken into four main modules covering leadership basics, department responsibilities, communication, and connecting with individuals beyond their role. The webinar content will [...]
Sweltering Summer Doesn’t Deter TALA Heroes
TALA members have been busy this summer, keeping residents engaged in activities and offerings while beating the heat. While the heat has limited time spent outdoors, it has led to creative themed solutions that still capitalize on the summer season. At Legend of Fort Worth, 2023 TALA Hero Activity Director winner Andrea Loman has put together a myriad of summer-themed life enrichment. Residents took time to make customized, intricate door signs for their front doors. Loman also keeps residents physically active, despite the outside temperatures, and has put on an indoor seated volleyball tournament. On a rare cooler day, residents [...]
Long Term Care Costs and Why Assisted Living Still Cost-Efficient Option
Numerous recent articles have shared the costs of Long-Term Care, how people are paying for it, and how many cannot afford Long Term Care (LTC). The main source of much of this information is a 2023 analysis by the National Council on Aging and the LeadingAge LTSS Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Many national news outlets have picked up this story, however there are several other factors to consider when looking at the landscape of the industry and how it may change. What will not change, however, is the fact that when looking at monthly costs, Assisted Living [...]
The 88th Legislative Session by the Numbers
If you’ve been following political news in the Lone Star State, then you are aware that the 88th Legislative Session has concluded. It was a wild one to be sure. The House expelled a sitting colleague, Representative Bryan Slaton. The Texas House sent articles of Impeachment for the Texas Attorney General to the Texas Senate for that chamber’s consideration, and the Governor called members back for a special session a mere three hours after the regular session concluded. Legislators filed more bills this session than they ever have before, and they had an enormous budget surplus to work with. Did [...]
Texas Assisted Living Association (TALA) President & CEO Diana Martinez elected to the Argentum Board of Directors
Diana Martinez said of her election, “I am incredibly honored to become part of the Argentum board. The work Argentum does to advance the quality and professionalism of the senior living industry, while supporting residents and families, is surpassed by none. I look forward to serving the senior living industry in this new capacity. I also look forward to the opportunity to elevate TALA by giving our TALA members and Industry Partners a presence at a national level and highlighting the significant impact that Texas has in the senior living space.” Argentum is the leading national association exclusively dedicated to [...]
Recap: 2023 TALA Conference and Trade Show, Lights, Camera, Assisted Living
The #2023talaconfandtradeshow began with a packed day of engaging nursing track sessions and a leadership intensive presented by Jonathan Fanning. In the evening, industry partners, provider members, board members, and speakers mingled at the board reception where memories were captured at the photo-booth, hors d’oeuvres and drinks were enjoyed, and a celebrity look-a-like, The Queen of Tejano herself- Selena made an appearance! Day 2 kicked off with coffee and kolaches followed by a record-breaking attendance at the Opening Keynote: “Building Emotional Intelligence,” presented, again, by the always-popular Jonathan Fanning. It was a packed house at 8:00 AM. If you’ve seen [...]
Apprenticeship Opportunities through Texas Workforce Development Boards
Did you know? Texas offers apprenticeship opportunities available through local Workforce Development Boards. A Workforce Development Board is comprised of locals appointed by elected officials, such as Mayors and County Judges. The Board is responsible for the workforce programs and services in their area. In Texas, 28 local Boards operate over 180 Local Workforce Solutions Offices. These opportunities can help pay for education costs, transportation, and in some cases, even childcare for upskill programs, such as those for CNAs and CMAs. Because of recent policy changes, Assisted Living communities can now host clinicals for CNA’s, opening the door for these [...]
Why Do Caregivers Go: KARE Survey Results from over 1,000 Caregivers
In Q4 2022, KARE conducted a survey where 1,300 caregivers nationwide participated, along with select community managers. The survey investigated what motivates caregivers to quit. Answers were rated on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the top factor and 1 being least factor that contributed to wanting to leave an Employer. Caregiver responses identified low pay at 8.09 as the top reason for wanting to leave an employer followed by disrespect from management at 7.38. Third reason was poor culture at 6.87. The survey asked community management to rate top reasons why they thought caregivers leave. Management [...]
What’s at Stake for Assisted Living in the 2023 Texas Legislative Session
At noon Tuesday, January 10, the 88th Texas Legislative Session will officially begin. New state representatives and state senators will gather for a swearing in; the halls of the Texas Capitol will be bustling and TALA VP of Public Policy Carmen Tilton will be there live and in-person – you can see live Twitter updates from Carmen here. According to the Texas Constitution, each legislative session lasts exactly 140 days and occurs every other year. Legislators have until May 29th to pass a two-year budget and any policy items. . At the time this article was published, over 1,600 [...]
COVID-19 Healthcare Relief Grants (ARPA Grants)
Grants are here – announcements started coming out last Friday regarding the status of applications for the COVID-19 Healthcare Relief Grants (ARPA grants). Recipients who no longer wish to receive the funds need to email [email protected] by December 20, 2022, 5:00PM to have their application withdrawn. Providers who would like to accept their grant awards should wait for a follow-up email from the Health and Human Services Commission. If you applied for the Grant Program and you have not yet heard anything (neither an award notification nor an award denial), please send an email to [email protected] with the [...]