Dec 05, 2023
Maximize the January Lead RushDid you know that internet directories, senior living communities, and senior care agencies see about 50% more inquiries in January? Loved ones – who discovered Mom or Dad needs help – spend time researching care options after the holidays.
If you are looking for tips on how to manage the extra lead flow and the increased number of inquiries, we have compiled some best practices to help you handle the rush.
In the fast-paced online environment, responding quickly is important to ensure you don’t “lose” a lead. Utilize alerts — like Caring.com’s alerts — to ensure your sales team knows when a person has expressed interest in more information. During peak periods, redistribute tasks, and encourage teamwork to manage the increased workload efficiently.
Personal touches in your communication significantly enhance the chances of conversion. Studies reveal that 3 in 5 people respond more positively to brands that personalize their interactions.
The key is to focus on building a personal connection rather than immediately pushing services. As an example, when working on a lead from Caring.com, mentioning specific notes that were sent over can help demonstrate a genuine interest in the senior’s situation.
As important as speed is, prioritize follow-ups based on urgency. Consider factors like care needs, geographic proximity, and which member of the family is calling. Respond quickly to leads with immediate care needs, and tailor your approach based on the urgency and location of each inquiry. Adult children's inquiries often convert more quickly than other inquiries, so prioritize them during peak times.
Looking for more tips? You can also check out one of our past webinars, “Get Ready for the Referral Rush: Best Practices for Converting Online Leads” for more tips and strategies.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of partnering with Caring.com or looking for more qualified leads, reach out to us at sales@caring.com or call (888) 808-0453.
Nov 15, 2023
How to Make the Most of Your Caring.com ListingIn the digital age, first impressions often happen online. Your online profile often serves as the first point of contact many seniors have. For Caring.com partners looking to create or update their profile, it’s important to showcase your community or agency and connect with care seekers. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling online profile that leaves a lasting impression.
When it comes to online profiles, high-quality professional photos speak volumes. Invest time and resources into capturing images that showcase your community or agency in its best light. Professional photos not only highlight the physical beauty of your space but also convey a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. Remember, potential residents or clients want to envision themselves in your community or using your services, and striking visuals provide the first step towards creating that connection.
For communities, this can include photos of the front entrance, grounds, lobby, community room, exercise room, dining room, and model apartments - things you would normally show during a tour. For agencies, this can include photos of the services you provide and your team engaging with seniors - things you would normally discuss.
Set yourself apart by showcasing your unique offerings. Highlight the activities and services that make your space special, and emphasize how these features contribute to a supportive and enriching environment. This is your chance to stand out in a crowded digital landscape, so be specific!
Connect with your audience on a personal level by tailoring your description to reflect the essence of your community or agency. Share what you offer beyond the surface-level amenities or basic services. Are there heartwarming stories or personal testimonials that speak to the essence of what you offer? Personalizing your description adds authenticity and helps potential residents or clients envision the meaningful experiences they could have.
Describe any community programs or initiatives that involve residents, such as support groups, wellness initiatives, or collaborative projects. Highlighting these programs shows that you prioritize the well-being and participation of your residents or clients.
For senior living communities, it’s important to provide not only pictures but also a detailed description for those unable to tour your space physically. Help potential residents imagine themselves within the walls of your community beyond a simple list of amenities.
Prioritizing creating a unique and detailed description can set you apart from the competition and help care seekers better understand what makes your community or agency special. If you aren’t a partner with Caring.com and want to maximize your online presence, you can reach out to us at sales@caring.com or call us at (888) 808-0453.
Nov 14, 2023
How to Maximize the Holiday SeasonThe holiday season is not just a time for festivities; it's a crucial period for senior living and senior care to strategically prepare for the January lead rush. Here's how senior living communities and senior care agencies can make the most of the holidays and gear up:
Before January, communities and agencies can capitalize on the holiday spirit to strengthen connections with existing leads. Here are key strategies to employ:
Send Holiday Cards: Take advantage of the festive season by sending personalized holiday cards to leads already in your system. This thoughtful gesture not only expresses goodwill but also serves as a gentle reminder of your community or agency.
Invite to Tour and/or Holiday Gathering: Extend invitations to potential residents and clients for a tour or a holiday gathering. This provides an excellent opportunity for leads to experience the warmth and atmosphere firsthand.
As the new year approaches, senior living and senior care teams must be prepared to handle the surge in leads. Here are crucial steps to ensure a smooth transition into the new year:
Continue to Work HOT Leads: Prioritize and actively engage with high-potential leads. Consistent communication during the holiday season keeps your community top of mind when individuals are making decisions about care options.
Improve Information Accuracy: Information on leads can be hard to maintain during the year. Allocate time and resources to ensure that your CRM or other lead information solution reflects the most current information.
Get Sales Pipeline Up to Date: Conduct a thorough review of your sales pipeline. Update progress, identify bottlenecks, and streamline the process to ensure a well-functioning and efficient system.
Update Brochure and Other Print Material: Review and update all printed materials, including brochures, to align with the new year. Incorporate any changes in pricing, services, or offerings to present accurate and enticing information to seniors and their families.
Prep Teams and Backups for January Rush: Anticipate the increase in inquiries in January. Ensure that your teams are well-prepared, and establish backup plans to guarantee someone is available to assist in case of unexpected surges in activity.
By strategically utilizing the holiday season to connect with existing leads and implementing proactive measures, senior living communities and senior care agencies can navigate the busy period with confidence.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can prepare your team for the January lead rush or how you can access leads seeking care in your area, you can contact us at sales@caring.com or call us at (888) 808-0453.
Oct 24, 2023
Everything You Need to Know About Aid and Attendance BenefitMany Veterans and their families are unaware of the benefits available to them, especially when it relates to paying for senior living and senior care later in life. Navigating the VA system can be challenging, with complex rules and requirements. Helping senior Veterans navigate finding care and receiving applicable VA benefits is an important way to help them be able to make a choice to move into a facility sooner or stay at home longer.
The Aid and Attendance benefit is designed to provide financial assistance to Veterans and their spouses who need assistance with daily living activities or require care in a protective environment. The program was created with the goal of supplementing the cost of care for Veterans as they age.
The VA may provide financial assistance to eligible Veterans and surviving spouses, with the following monthly amounts:
Single Veteran: Up to $2,229
Married Veteran: Up to $2,642
Surviving Spouse: Up to $1,432
Two Married Veterans: Up to $3,536
This financial support can significantly contribute to covering the expenses of senior care or senior living. As Social Security benefits increase, these amounts may also rise, offering even more financial assistance.
The eligibility criteria for VA benefits to cover senior living and care can be slightly complex in nature, and eligibility periods may be based on the specific conflict. Veterans or their spouses can qualify if they meet the following conditions:
The Veteran must be at least 65 years of age or 100% disabled. Even if they are under 65 but unable to work due to a disability, they may still be eligible.
They must have served at least 90 days of active duty during their military service, excluding training periods.
At least one of these active duty days must have occurred during a declared wartime period, such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or the Persian Gulf.
The Veteran must have received an honorable, medical, or general discharge.
Widows can also qualify for these benefits, regardless of their age, if they were married to the Veteran for at least one year, even if that year was at the end of the Veteran's life, and if they remain single.
VA benefits can be applied to various types of care, including:
Skilled nursing care (private pay only)
Independent living*
Assisted living
Memory care
In-home care
Adult day care
Paying a non-spousal family caregiver (spouses cannot be paid)
*Independent living communities must meet specific criteria, such as having 24-hour caregivers or providing evidence that the client receives at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These ADLs can be administered by a third party, including family members.
Many Veterans and their families are unaware of these benefits due to a lack of information and the complex application process. Many Veterans who left the military when they were young may not remember or know that some of these benefits exist. There are several ways senior living and senior care partners can help Veterans and their families in accessing these VA benefits.
Identify Eligible Individuals: Ask potential residents or their families if they are Veterans or widows and if they meet the criteria for VA benefits.
Encourage Contact with the VA: Advise eligible individuals to contact the VA to explore their options and initiate the process.
Understand the Application Process: Familiarize yourself with the VA application process to provide guidance to residents and their families.
Offer Support: Offer support to residents and their families throughout the application process to ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
Whether you have helped veterans and their families navigate the search for care or haven’t been sure where to start, any help in this complex process can make a difference.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how working with Caring.com can help you support your residents and put you in touch with organizations like Patriot Angels (who specializes in assisting veterans with VA benefits applications) reach out to us at sales@caring.com or call us at (888) 808-0453.
Oct 17, 2023
7 Best Practices in Team Alignment for Higher Marketing OutcomesIn a recent study, Big Buzz surveyed more than a hundred senior living executives to uncover insights into how they achieve higher marketing outcomes through team alignment. Your peers identified in our study these seven best practices for team alignment:
Establish common values and culture. This ensures that all team members adhere to the same code of conduct and standards, fostering team cohesion and cooperation. At each quarterly session, have team members read aloud for the entire group your organizational mission, vision and values. Encourage folks to share about how another person on the team embodied the organizational values or culture. As Alicia Marie of PeopleBiz, Inc., says, “Culture is what you say, do and reward.” Dust off the document and make it come to life with regular discussion.
Offer incentives and rewards. This can be done through team bonuses, recognition programs and promotion mechanisms. By providing tangible rewards for achieving team goals, organizations like yours can motivate and engage their employees. And remember, even a simple verbal acknowledgment in front of a high-performing team member and her coworkers can be received as a remarkable reward.
Establish effective communication channels. By developing independent communication software or platforms, organizations like yours can facilitate daily communication among team members, ensuring everyone stays informed and connected. A favorite of ours is Slack. Carry that same crystal clarity into your meetings with the L10 meeting format.
Encourage ongoing training and development. By providing necessary training programs and continuous learning opportunities, organizations like yours enable team members to acquire new skills, grow professionally and remain competitive in their respective fields.
Provide feedback and assessments. Gathering feedback and conducting assessments of the team’s current state allows organizations like yours to identify areas for improvement and address any issues or challenges hindering team alignment. Regular feedback and assessment help foster continuous improvement and enhance team effectiveness. Initiating a voice-of-the-employee survey before your quarterly meeting will allow you to share data and trends that emerge from your study.
Clarify goals and expectations. It’s crucial for organizations to ensure that all team members are aware of your organization’s goals and expectations. This clarity helps align individual efforts with the larger organizational objectives, promoting a shared sense of purpose and direction.
Establish consistent rules and procedures. To maintain team alignment, organizations like yours establish consistent rules, policies and procedures. By ensuring that all employees understand and follow these guidelines, organizations can create a unified and efficient work environment. But don’t spend too much time here – even 15 minutes of reminders about structures in your quarterly meeting can go a long way in promoting adherence to company policies.
These best practices, when implemented effectively, can significantly contribute to team alignment and enhance overall organizational performance. And we wish you all the best in achieving higher marketing outcomes by aligning your team!
Get your copy of the complete eBook.
Big Buzz is a marketing agency delivering a steady stream of move-in-ready leads to teams serving the senior living industry. For more than 15 years, Big Buzz has helped senior living marketing and sales teams nurture leads to increase occupancy, grow and scale. CEO Wendy O’Donovan Phillips is the author of the book Flourish!: The Method Used by Aging Services Organizations for the Ultimate Marketing Results, has been published in McKnight’s, has been a regular contributor to Forbes, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, ABC News and Chicago Tribune. The Big Buzz leadership team regularly lectures in front of audiences ranging from 25 to 6,000 attendees, including at Argentum and various LeadingAge chapters. Agency awards and accolades include recognition for excellence by the American Marketing Association, Gold Key Award Winner by the Business Marketing Association, HubSpot Academy Inbound Marketing Certification, and Top Advertising and Marketing Agency by Clutch. www.bigbuzzinc.com
Sep 14, 2023
New Helpdesk for Home Care PartnersAs of September 1st, our home care partners have access to a new helpdesk to improve the speed and quality of our partner support. Home care partners can now email hc_helpdesk@caring.com for any of their account and business profile needs.
What does this mean for our current home care partners? Requests emailed to the new helpdesk will be directed to the best representative to assist. No more searching for your assigned account executive. Because the helpdesk will be closely monitored, you can expect faster, reliable response times.
These are the types of requests our partners can reach out to hc_helpdesk@caring.com to complete:
Update your listing: Add images, change your description, revise your services
Edit your lead recipients: Ensure your current team is all eligible to receive leads
Request more leads: Adjust your lead cap to capture more volume as needed
As a note, any questions on reviews or about the Caring Stars award should still be directed to reviews@caring.com or (650) 762-8190.
For any questions related to our new customer service email or other account and business profile questions, reach out to hc_helpdesk@caring.com. If you are interested in learning more about partnering with Caring.com, call (855) 590-8989 or complete this form to schedule a demo.
