Residents and Staff Members Work Together at Greenspring

At Greenspring, an Erickson Senior Living community in Springfield, Va., residents have a true say in what happens on campus, thanks to the efforts of the Resident Council.

The Resident Council works closely with community leaders to not only provide feedback from neighbors but also to collaborate on matters both large and small.

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From sharing compliments on the General Services team's great work to weighing in on restaurant menus, this open communication ensures that services and amenities reflect the needs of those who call Greenspring home.

To learn more about how this collaboration strengthens the community and supports residents, the Tribune spoke with Anne Street, president of the Resident Council, and Karyn Flannagan, Greenspring's executive director.

Tribune: Anne, what inspired you to get involved with the Resident Council?

Anne: After retiring, I wanted to focus on helping others. The Resident Council gives me that opportunity every day. I can make a difference by sharing residents' perspectives with the administration.

Tribune: How would you describe the relationship between residents and community leaders?

Anne: It feels like a big family here. The leadership team really cares about residents. During a snowstorm, more than 200 staff members stayed overnight so residents could be cared for. That level of service and connection makes life at Greenspring special! It's easy for us to connect with Karyn and her team.

Karyn: I'd describe our relationship as respectful, caring, and collaborative. We spend a lot of time listening to residents and learning from them. We're all working toward the same goal--helping residents live their best lives. When we stay connected and work together, we create a stronger, more responsive community.

Tribune: What role does the Resident Council play in shaping community life?

Anne: Much of our role is communication. We gather input from residents, which is then communicated with Karyn and her team, and they act upon concerns, if there are any. We also relay important information from administration to residents. Understanding both sides and communicating clearly is one of the biggest ways we help.

Karyn: The Resident Council is very intentional about gathering feedback, which usually touches on different aspects of day-to-day life at Greenspring. By acting as a collective voice and communicating with leadership, they help guide decisions that impact the entire community.

Tribune: How are residents' ideas shared with the leadership team?

Anne: The Resident Council meets with Karyn monthly, and I also meet regularly with Karyn. We feel comfortable sharing compliments and constructive criticism with her. The council's monthly meetings are open to residents and broadcast on the in-house TV channel.

Karyn: Residents can share their thoughts in several ways. In addition to the Resident Council and its committees, there are "listening posts" across campus, open forums, and the annual resident satisfaction survey. From there, members of the leadership team follow up on suggestions.

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

Anne: Happy to. The council's dining committee made a major impact. Since asking for more variety on menus, including plant-based and international dishes, we've seen significant improvements.

Karyn: As a result of that feedback, the Dining Services team partnered with residents to develop new recipes for menus. Our executive chef even completed a plant-based culinary certification to help expand the plant-based options across all of our on-site restaurants.

We've also worked with residents on initiatives like selecting an outdoor menorah and offering monthly blood pressure clinics.

Tribune: Karyn, how do you ensure that resident feedback leads to improvements across campus?

Karyn: We're very intentional. We review all resident feedback closely and look for common themes. We then share planned improvements during Town Halls, on the G'day Greenspring TV show, and with the Resident Council. When you have strong relationships and a shared goal, meaningful change follows.

Tribune: What is the best part of working together?

Karyn: We strive to provide an exceptional resident experience, and that means continuing to evolve to meet different needs. By partnering with Anne and the Resident Council, we gain the insight needed to make changes that benefit the entire community.

Anne: We are a community of close to two thousand residents, so our partnership is key. We enjoy being part of the collaborative process! Greenspring is a wonderful place to live.

To learn more about independent senior living, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and much more.

By Kelly Shue