Written by Sara Johnson, Client Executive, Gibson Commercial Risk Management
Protecting the Heart of Care: Supporting Long-Term Care Leaders This November
Each November, Long-Term Care Awareness Month invites us to pause and recognize the people who define this industry—the leaders, caregivers, and staff who show up every day, not because it’s easy, but because it matters.
They are the heartbeat of long-term care. The caregivers who stay late, the maintenance teams who prepare for what’s ahead, the leaders who keep their phones close after hours, ready to answer if they’re needed. Their work extends far beyond job titles. It’s a promise to protect, to connect, and to serve with dignity.
Through Senior Care: Unscripted, I’ve had the privilege of hearing directly from senior care leaders, and one theme consistently shows up: their people and their residents are the center of every decision. No matter what challenges we discuss in those short conversations, the focus always circles back to the same question: How do we care for our people so they can continue to care for others?
One of my clients once shared a story about a CNA who was consistently 15 minutes late for her shift. For weeks, she was warned about her tardiness until one leader finally stopped to ask why. It turned out her bus route dropped her off a few minutes after her shift had already started. Instead of writing her up, the facility bought her a car so she could get to work on time. That simple act of understanding changed everything—not just for her, but for the entire culture. It was such a powerful reminder of what can happen when leaders pause long enough to truly see their people. That story has always stuck with me. Because when we take the time to listen and lead with empathy, we don’t just solve problems, we create trust that goes far beyond the walls of any one community.
When I think about the true cost of care, I think about what it requires: the emotional endurance to lead with heart, the courage to advocate for others when the system feels unforgiving, and the humility to do work that goes unseen. And still, through every challenge, this workforce continues to show up. Not for recognition or reward, but because they care so deeply.
That same commitment to care extends beyond recognition—it calls for action to strengthen the people and systems that sustain it.
Long-Term Care Awareness Month isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s a chance to see this work for what it truly is. Those of us who get to stand alongside this industry are privileged to witness the extraordinary care that goes beyond duty and becomes devotion.
Recognition is the first step. The next is action—turning gratitude into lasting support for the people who make care possible.
Join us next week as we explore tangible ways leaders can support, uplift, and invest in their long-term care teams.
Get in Touch with Sara
Sara Johnson
sjohnson@thegibsonedge.com
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Continuing the Conversation
To hear more stories and insights from senior care leaders, listen to Senior Care: Unscripted. Hosts Craig Heatherly and Sara Johnson bring together industry experts to discuss risk trends, operational strategies, and the realities of running senior care communities. Listen here.