Residents and Staff Members Collaborate at Siena Lakes

At Siena Lakes, an Erickson Senior Living community in Naples, Fla., residents have a meaningful voice in shaping community life through the Resident Advisory Council (RAC).

The RAC works closely with community leaders to share feedback and collaborate on initiatives that enhance daily life for residents.

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Whether it's expanding dining hours or revamping the bocce courts, new ideas and suggestions help keep Siena Lakes vibrant and engaging.

"Our role is to advise management on programs, activities, facilities, and resident priorities while also partnering to help develop solutions," says resident and RAC Chair Hugo Finarelli. "We listen to the residents and work with administration to improve the overall quality of life for everyone at Siena Lakes."

Recently, the Tribune spoke with Hugo and Executive Director Mike McCormick to discuss how they work together to benefit the community's residents.

Tribune: How do the RAC and community leadership stay connected?

Hugo: The RAC has eight committees that meet monthly: Dining, General Services, Resident Life, Philanthropy, Finance, Health and Wellness, Technology, and Communications. Most committees include five to seven residents who volunteer for membership, a RAC member who serves as a liaison between the committee and the entire RAC, and the appropriate department heads.

In addition, every month we host a communitywide RAC meeting that gives residents additional opportunities to share feedback and ideas.

We also have five Town Hall meetings each year, designed and run by the RAC, along with five one-hour roundtable discussions open to residents for additional suggestions on current issues of interest. Open communication is essential to the success of the partnership.

Tribune: How do RAC representatives and members of the administration work together on resident priorities?

Hugo: The RAC meets twice a month for two hours. For the first hour, it's RAC members only. During the second hour, Executive Director Mike McCormick and Associate Executive Director Varun Kakar meet with us.

Before each meeting, the RAC sends a brief email outlining discussion topics, recent developments, and new ideas generated by the RAC or its committees. Mike and Varun will bring issues to us and updates, and we will talk through everything.

McCormick: Wherever RAC members go, residents share information, opinions, and suggestions. Because of that, the RAC has a strong understanding of resident priorities and helps communicate them to the administration. We work together to identify ways to make things better, whether it's from a service standpoint or by evaluating new ideas. The RAC is a key source of information for us.

Tribune: Why is resident feedback so important at Siena Lakes?

McCormick: We encourage resident feedback. Besides hearing from RAC and conducting an annual resident satisfaction survey, there are many other ways we hear from residents. We hold Resident Town Hall meetings twice a month, and we encourage residents to call, email, stop us in the hallways, and visit my office.

The residents have lifetimes of experience and wisdom, and this is their home. They see things from a different perspective, and it's the administration's job to listen and to be open to their ideas. We're here because we're invested in helping residents live better lives.

Tribune: Can you share some examples of changes that came directly from resident input?

McCormick: One of the biggest changes we've made is revamping the bocce ball courts. RAC researched bocce ball courts at nearby country clubs and residential communities and presented their recommendations.

Not only did we respond, but we created the improvements residents were hoping for. We built new courts and added shading and a water fountain.

Hugo: Another important change is that we recommended a dress code at Chianti's, an upscale restaurant on campus, because residents wanted one of Siena Lakes' five restaurants to have a more elevated dining atmosphere. Also, with help from the Dining Committee, we recommended adding breakfast and expanding dining hours throughout the community.

Our Technology Committee became a strong advocate for residents regarding our Wi-Fi, and the administration enhanced the entire Wi-Fi system.

Tribune: How does this collaboration enhance residents' daily lives?

McCormick: It's all about us working together with open dialogue. We've created a culture that values residents' wisdom and experience, and welcomes new perspectives on how to raise the bar on our services.

We're a community, but we're also a family. As a family, you sit around the table and talk about how things can change for the better.

Hugo: The administration takes our advice and feedback seriously. Our open communication and collaboration help ensure residents feel heard and valued throughout the community.

To learn more about the ways you can explore senior living, request more information today.

By Michele Wojciechowski