Here at Kendal at Granville values aren't just empty words printed in brochures to impress people. Rather they are words that spring into action in the lives of staff and residents daily. For one example right now we find ourselves immersed in a series of focus groups designed to provide input for the process of strategic planning which is getting underway for the next three to five years. Everyone has been invited to sign up to participate in whichever sessions interest them. An individual may sign up for as many as desired. The topics are derived from the Kendal at Granville Vision which states "Kendal at Granville embraces the greater Kendal aspiration of Together Transforming the Experience of Aging by striving to 1. Evolve and grow in learning and serving, 2. Contribute to the wider community, 3. Represent inclusiveness, 4. Model active lifestyles, and 5. Preserve choice, autonomy, and self- esteem.
Our Executive Director is leading each of these sessions. All individuals are encouraged to take part and voice their beliefs. So far I have been able to attend one which was Preserve Choice, Autonomy, and Self Esteem. We were told that the purpose of the session was to identify actions that would make it possible to achieve that directive. I found it to be an interesting session in that the participants were genuinely concerned about how we as staff and residents together could preserve choice, autonomy and self esteem for each resident as she aged/ There were helpful suggestions as to action to be taken in the future. Some questions arose which were able to be clarified on the spot. Others indicated a need for further thought and consideration as to the most effective action to be taken.
What impressed me most as a former administrator was the attention given to listening to both staff and residents and considering together how to achieve a goal rather than as I have seen in some situations where the top administration went away into seclusion to do strategic planning without input from those most involved either in executing the plan or being the persons most affected by the execution of the plan. Here the value of respect for the individual seemed to me to be clearly demonstrated.
