Mental Health Resources for SLR’s Residents, Families, and Associates
At SLR, we believe the mental wellness of our residents, families, and associates is incredibly important. We are a people-first company, working with and caring for people with unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Social isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression affects so many of us. We recognize this fact and have a number of resources and programs in place to provide support for anyone who lives or works in our communities.
Our Mental Health Initiative researches and develops programs, tools, and resources to support the people that make up our SLR Family.
Mental Wellness Resources and Programs at SLR
In 2023, we launched an initiative that pulls in ideas for all levels of our organization in order to do a better job supporting the mental wellness needs of both our residents and our associates. Over the years this initiative has spearheaded several programs to help combat loneliness, social isolation, burnout, and more.
Community Wide Projects To Cultivate A Sense of Purpose
Having a sense of purpose is incredibly important for mental wellness. Grounded in our commitment to supporting our residents’ mental health, our communities choose projects that connect residents and staff to the world around them. These projects combat social isolation through meaningful interactions with the larger community– whether it be local students, the environment, or underserved groups in need. The passion, creativity and lasting impacts that have come from this initiative are truly inspiring. The projects are chosen each year with feedback from both associates and residents and have included Habitat Restoration, intergenerational music, history, and arts programs with local elementary schools and high schools, partnerships with the Bee Project, local women’s shelters, and more.
In-Community Mental Health Services
Many of our communities have partnered with mental health organizations to bring mental wellness services directly into the community. For residents who need extra support, experts such as Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Nurse Practitioners help with difficult transitions and life changes, anxiety and depression, withdrawal from social activities, managing symptoms of cognitive decline and memory loss, and more.
Inspiring Resident Connection
Our communities offer wide varieties of programming, entertainment, and excursions to help residents continue with hobbies they love and to discover new interests. While we hope that all residents will participate in those programs, we know that sometimes our residents prefer not to. Maybe it takes someone a while to warm up to group events. Perhaps someone appreciates the time they keep to themselves. We believe that residents who choose not to participate in the daily calendar of events should still have access to the power of social connection. Each of our communities has a team of staff, residents, volunteers and family members committed to empowering residents to try new activities, go out of their comfort zone and meet new people if they are open. They also develop tools to foster that social connection in a comfortable way. Representatives from these teams meet monthly to brainstorm new ideas for engaging with residents and meeting their mental wellness needs.
Promoting Associate Mental Wellness
It is our goal to provide associates with a supportive work environment and the resources they need to be successful so that they feel a strong sense of belonging in our communities. We work hard to cultivate a people-first culture in which we look out for each other and aim to lift each other up. It’s this mindset that has earned us the #1 spot on the Boston Globe’s 2024 List of top Places to Work. We also have resources to help our associates achieve a work/life balance and support them through their personal and professional challenges. Recent additions include:
- A 24/7 support hotline
- Free counseling sessions for all associates and their family members
- Regular personal and professional development workshops (1-2 times each quarter) on mental wellness topics such as stress management, burnout, grief and loss, loneliness and isolation, building empathy, managing personal finances, and more.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Support Groups
We understand that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis affects an entire family, and caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and related dementia isn’t easy. It can be extremely helpful to share your experiences and challenges with others who completely understand what you are going through. Once a month, our memory support communities offer Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Support Groups facilitated by a Certified Dementia Practitioner. This is a safe space where individuals bond over shared experiences and learn tips to better communicate with or care for their loved one.
References
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. “Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness.”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023. “Health Workers Face a Mental Health Crisis: Workers Report Harassment, Burnout, and Poor Mental Health; Supportive Workplaces Can Help.”
National Library of Medicine. 2019. “Prevalence of Anxiety Symptoms and Their Association With Loss Experience in a Large Cohort Sample of the Oldest-Old.”