It is indeed a pleasure to join Beatitudes Campus at this significant time in its history. Having successfully weathered one of the most substantial downturns in the senior living industry, we are now poised to continue our emerging national leadership role as researchers and innovators in dementia care, as well as life-long learning for our resident population. Further, our long stated mission is to bring this type of excellence to as many deserving seniors as possible on our local campus. With that in mind, we have adopted a plan that calls for maximizing our current operations in order to take the next steps in our redevelopment process that Michelle Just, President and CEO, shared in this column a few weeks ago. She was very proud to report to the board and you that our operations are not only on target but exceeding expectations in almost every category.
Along with those favorable essential measurements, we are beginning some focused efforts to fill all of our remaining openings as the launching pad for our next phase. In assuming my new role as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, I have been asked to lead the campus first impressions efforts to make that happen. This is a term that many of you may have heard and it is a well-known phrase – but it still rings true – you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Prospective clients are looking for a new place to call home – and there are multiple senior living communities to choose from. If the first impression isn't good – there will probably not be an opportunity for a second one. The Beatitudes Foundation has graciously agreed to provide $300,000 to help us address some of the most significant areas where we can enhance the appeal of some of our existing facilities.
As a result, you will begin to see a number of improvements in common areas including flooring, lighting and decor, beginning at our main entrance and into the lobby of the Nelson Administration Center, followed by common areas of Town Plaza, as well as in some of the independent living buildings and corridors, activity spaces and lobbies in the licensed healthcare buildings. Our goal is to establish a high degree of hospitality for both those considering Beatitudes as their home, as well as those who already reside here consistent with our Radical Hospitality Program that has already been introduced on campus. One of those tried and true standards that we know we notice, as many other senior living communities are reviewed, is the use of furniture groupings and lighting. Any of us who have sold homes have undoubtedly had our realtors tell us to turn on all the lamps as a hospitality signature for prospects, so as we continue this process, we are going to also begin Operation B-Welcome at Beatitudes Campus. Research shows that small “points of light” in unfamiliar settings trigger a warm and positive response, and that settings that show “community” (placement of furniture and lighting) evoke feelings of inclusion and accessibility. As such, we are going to strategically place new settings and keep the “candle in the window lit” (our lamps) throughout campus buildings. Can I ask that we leave the furniture as the decorator(s) place it and that the lamps remain on? I thoroughly appreciate and recognize the frugality that goes along with turning off lamps, however, ask that they remain lit to welcome all who enter. We have this expense covered with other economies that we have achieved and we will exponentially profit by our increased occupancies that we believe are certain to occur with all of our new initiatives.
These indeed are very exciting times at Beatitudes Campus! You will begin to see more outside groups coming to consider our life plan environment and continued development of additional programs and services to degrees not thought of even just a few years ago. Thanks so much for your warm welcome to the campus that you have extended to me and for all of your continued support, ideas and participation as we move into the new 2016-17 year! Fasten your seat-belts—we're just getting started!*
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