Affordable Assisted Living in Rural Markets

Marketing Tips

Affordable Assisted Living in Rural Markets

First visits:

(Be sure and take a handout that shows eligibility and income guidelines)

Area Agency on Aging (do not try to market at case management meetings)

Local DHS Office

Local Hospital (ask to give presentation on affordable assisted living to social workers)

Local Nursing Homes

Home Health Agencies

Other Assisted Living Providers (building reciprocal relationships)

Community Center

Congregate Meal Sites

Physicians’ Offices

As time allows:

Local Churches (information in bulletins or offer to do presentations to seniors)

Funeral Homes

Local Alzheimer’s Association Chapter

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy providers

Podiatrists

Beauty Salons

Pharmacies

Any place where seniors gather (for example, Hy-Vee deli for breakfast, McDonald’s for lunch) Give out key chains, magnets and pens/pencils.

Marketing success comes from the inside out:

·  Publish monthly newsletter (focus on new residents)

·  Conduct monthly resident council meetings

·  Offer small recruitment bonuses to residents (can be cash or gifts)

·  Make welcome baskets

·  Acknowledge birthdays

·  Help residents keep external relationships intact

·  Have a family event once a month

·  Hold a family council at least annually

·  Send a note to the physician of your new residents (include a picture)

·  Keep track of calls and tours – they are your lifeblood

·  Offer a free meal with tours

·  Ensure that the director is known and accessible to residents

·  Provide in depth training on calls and tours for all staff (amenities and benefits)

·  Focus on customer service skills (phone skills, conflict resolution, communication with residents and families)

·  Follow-up tour or phone call with personal note from the director

·  Send a thank you to referral sources when they send you a client

Lead

¨  Calling for self

¨  Calling on behalf of friend/relative (name):

Relationship of caller to prospect:

Age of prospect:

Name of Caller Date: Time:

Address:

City State Zip

Referral source: ¨ Hospital ¨ Nursing Home ¨ Current Resident

¨ Advertisement ¨ Yellow pages ¨ Professional

¨ Other:

Current living situation

Issues creating a need for AL

What are the current capabilities of the individual in regard to:

Bathing: Dressing: Grooming:

Laundry: Housekeeping: Laundry:

Medications: Incontinence Issues: Meal Prep:

Transportation (how does prospect get what he/she needs?)

Ambulation – ¨ Ambulates independently, without assistive devices

¨ Uses walker ¨ Uses wheelchair

¨ Uses cane ¨ Uses motorized cart

HCBS Elderly Waiver: ¨ Currently enrolled ¨ Applied for ¨ No status

Annual income:

Major health issues:

Tour scheduled: No (reason): Yes (date):

Information packet sent (date):

Follow up:

¨ Personal note sent by Director (date: )

¨ Follow-up call (date: )