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Championing PACE: Comprehensive Care for the Elderly with Donna Wilhelm

In this episode, Erin reconnects with Donna Wilhelm, Vice President for Advocacy and Government Relations for Trinity Health Continuing Care, to discuss the impactful PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program. Donna shares insights about her career shift into senior living services, her role in the PACE initiative, and the comprehensive support it offers for seniors and their caregivers, from medical care to everyday necessities like air conditioners and laundry. The conversation also covers the political challenges PACE faces, including the necessity to advocate for federal and state support to ensure its sustainability and expansion. Both Erin and Donna emphasize the critical need for programs like PACE to become mandatory, amid the growing demand for senior care solutions.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:38 Donna Wilhelm's Role and Background
01:55 Overview of the PACE Program
02:28 Eligibility and Services of PACE
03:18 Financial Aspects and Risk Management
05:17 Real-Life Examples and Impact
06:46 Interdisciplinary Team and Care Approach
08:22 Expansion and Advocacy for PACE
15:53 Caregiver Support and Holistic Care
18:52 Dementia Care in PACE
20:37 Managing Expenses and Medicare Coverage
21:34 Political Implications and Advocacy
23:23 Medicaid Funding Challenges
25:27 Potential Cuts and Their Impact
27:22 The Importance of PACE
35:16 Scalability and Future of PACE
36:59 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Leadership Test: Are you Bill Clinton or David Letterman?

When crisis hits your senior living community, there are two ways leaders show up:

Deny, deflect, and damage trust (Bill Clinton strategy)
Own it, address it, and build stronger relationships (David Letterman strategy)

The truth?
You can't lead through crisis by pretending it’s not happening.
You can only lead through it with influence, authenticity, and proactive communication.

In this week's episode of Aspire for More with Erin, I sit down with PR crisis expert Jeff Bell to break down:
▪️ Why crisis communication isn’t about perfection—it’s about ownership.
▪️ The 3 biggest mistakes leaders make in times of crisis.
▪️ How to lead through vulnerability, not around it.

If you're a senior living leader, you can't afford to miss this conversation.

Your reputation is built in the hard moments.
Your influence is measured when things go wrong—not when everything’s going right.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:51 Jeff Bell's Professional Journey
01:31 Think Tank and Parenting Insights
02:37 Crisis Management: Clinton vs. Letterman
03:38 Lessons from Clinton and Letterman Scandals
06:22 Crisis Management in Senior Living
08:27 The Importance of Transparency and Honesty
12:56 Handling Online Reviews and Personal Accountability
15:03 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
19:38 Media Training and Public Relations
23:02 Humility and Power in Crisis Management
25:05 Understanding True Humility
26:05 The Short-Lived Pain of Truth
27:25 The Consequences of Hiding
29:41 Handling Criticism and Crisis
30:26 The Importance of Crisis Planning
37:16 Transparency Over Perfection
40:16 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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Join my email list where I will lift you up, and send tactile advice weekly to support you to grow your experience in your senior living career.

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In this episode, we explore the struggles of perfectionism, identity, and comparison, and how they can keep us feeling stuck and inadequate as leaders and in our personal lives. The speaker shares a personal journey of overcoming these challenges, focusing on the importance of building momentum through small, consistent actions, maintaining a positive atmosphere, and celebrating accomplishments. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the power of understanding one's identity and leveraging comparison as a tool for growth rather than defeat. Real-life examples and experiences are used to illustrate these points, culminating in the launch of a new leadership course designed to inspire and equip new leaders in their journey.

00:00 Introduction: The Struggle of Falling Behind
01:05 Understanding Momentum: The Key to Progress
03:56 The Momentum Formula: Actions, Atmosphere, and Accomplishments
12:37 The Role of Identity in Building Momentum
16:32 Comparison: A Double-Edged Sword
29:38 Personal Story: Overcoming Vulnerability and Imperfection
39:33 Conclusion: Embrace the Messy Middle

Learn more about the The New EDs Playbook: Creating an Impactful Community Culture course here: The New EDs Playbook: Creating an Impactful Community Culture

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Unlocking Leadership Potential in Senior Living Through Coaching: Featuring Rose Signs

In this episode, Erin speaks with Rose Saenz, president and operations specialist at RevealSol, about the pivotal role of coaching in senior living leadership. They delve into their personal journeys, emphasizing the transformative impact of coaching on enhancing leadership skills, improving retention, and fostering growth in senior living communities. Rose and Erin share insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of investing in leadership development, and the benefits of coaching for both new and experienced leaders. They highlight the value of mentorship programs and the critical need for supportive structures within organizations to ensure long-term success.

00:00 Introduction to Senior Living Leadership
00:25 Meet Rose Signs: Expert in Senior Living Operations
01:19 The Importance of Coaching in Leadership
03:14 Personal Growth and Leadership Challenges
08:48 Investing in Team Members for Success
13:21 The Role of Regional Directors and Coaches
21:11 Overcoming Leadership Isolation
25:13 Celebrating Success and Motivation
26:28 Challenges in Healthcare Leadership
29:19 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
33:47 Coaching and Mentorship in Leadership
36:42 The Importance of Boundaries
40:58 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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In this episode, we explore the essential elements of leadership in senior living, focusing on service and empathy.

Erin sits down with Jenna La Charity, Director of Sales and Marketing at Levante Senior Living and a professor at Algonquin College, to discuss ways to balance business goals with heart-centered leadership.

Jenna shares her journey from social work to senior living, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, resilience, and problem-solving in sales and operations.

They discuss the significance of understanding cultural perspectives, the emotional aspects of sales, and the power of relationships in creating thriving communities.

Jenna also highlights the educational initiatives preparing future leaders in senior living, reinforcing hope and potential in the next generation.

This conversation is a valuable resource for new and seasoned sales directors alike, offering mindset shifts and practical strategies for success.

00:00 Introduction to Heart-Centered Leadership
00:37 Meet Jenna La Charity
02:08 Jenna's Journey from Social Work to Senior Living
05:53 The Importance of Relationships in Senior Living
07:25 Training the Next Generation of Leaders
18:02 Cultural Perspectives and Aging
20:54 Navigating Sales Relationships
21:09 Overcoming Money Talk Challenges
21:54 Building Trust Through Questions
24:11 The Art of Small Closes
25:11 Adapting Sales Styles
26:13 Human-Centered Sales Approach
26:57 Competitive Analysis and Trust
29:34 Real-Life Learning in Sales
31:02 Mindset, Boundaries, and Energy
34:03 Achieve, Connect, and Thrive
36:33 The Importance of Teamwork
37:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Join my email list where I will lift you up, and send tactile advice weekly to support you to grow your experience in your senior living career.