Hebrew SeniorLife Freely Shares its Expertise with the Senior Living Field

BOSTON - Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL) continues to be a valued resource and mentor for senior communities during the COVID-19 health care crisis. As Massachusetts and other states begin to reopen, HSL has been a sought-after expert and advisor, speaking virtually to small teams and larger groups on best practices around safety and quality of life for senior living organizations.

“Helping seniors as they age is the fundamental mission of HSL, and when fellow organizations come to us for advice and best practices in this area, it is important to share what we know and what we have learned,” said Kim Brooks, HSL’s Chief Operating Officer for Senior Living. “We are all in this together, ensuring that seniors can move into senior living confident that their health and safety are top priority.”

For example, Brooks recently presented on best practices at a virtual LeadingAge Massachusetts meeting for leaders of continuing care retirement communities. She also was invited by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, LeadingAge Massachusetts, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and MassHousing to speak recently on a conference call on the topic of “What Does Opening up Look Like for Affordable Senior Housing.” More than 100 senior living providers across the Commonwealth participated in this event.

Other members of Brooks’ senior living team are also guest speakers at association and community meetings. Matt Hollingshead, Executive Director of Assisted Living, NewBridge on the Charles, will speak on June 18 at the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association’s annual regulations training on “Operational Challenges in the COVID-19 Environment.” This panel will address the many facets of providing the best possible living environment for assisted living residents amidst the concerns and threat of communicable disease. Items to be discussed include how to safely have activities; dietary/food issues; maintenance/housekeeping concerns; staffing issues; family visitation; move-ins; and more. More than 260 participants are slated to attend.

Since the COVID-19 health care crisis started, requests for information and questions from senior care organizations have come in daily. HSL has made its expertise available via phone, email, and virtual events, and has been sharing best practices in a dedicated section on its website, Resources for Senior Care Organizations, which includes materials, tools, protocols, and sample documents specifically aimed toward senior care organizations addressing COVID-19.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife is a national senior services leader dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. As New England’s largest nonprofit provider of senior health care and living communities, and the only one affiliated with Harvard Medical School, HSL cares for more than 3,000 seniors a day across six campuses throughout Greater Boston. Our locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Boston and Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; and Jack Satter House, Revere. Founded in 1903, HSL also conducts influential research into aging and trains more than 1,000 students in geriatric care each year. Visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook, or read our blog.