Benchmark Senior Living, which operates continuing care retirement communities and skilled nursing facilities throughout the Northeast, has announced a partnership with Spring Health, a virtual mental health service, to provide personalized care, dedicated support, confidential therapy, medication management and family care to all of its employees and their dependents.
The company said it is working to bring employee mental health to the forefront and ensure employees “feel happy, comfortable and safe in their jobs.”
Benchmark said a catalyst for the program was a 2021 KFF / Washington Post Frontline Health Care Workers Survey in which 47% of assisted living and nursing home workers reported feeling anxious due to the stresses of the pandemic.
More than half (58%) of nursing home employees taking the survey also said that their employers were “falling short” in supporting them.
The top priority of the Benchmark-Spring Health partnership is to ensure that Benchmark employees receive the mental health support they need, said Benchmark founder, Chairman and CEO Tom Grape.
He said he believes that the support will help increase employee retention, recruitment and associate satisfaction numbers.
“Healthcare workers have historically been vulnerable to mental health challenges — a reality worsened by the pandemic,” Grape said. “We want our associates to know it’s OK to not be OK. And no matter what, Benchmark is there to give them the support they need.”
Among the new mental health benefits available, employees can take an online mental health assessment to find the most appropriate care and track their progress. A care navigator who is a licensed clinician helps employees find the right therapist, sets appointments, provides guidance and offers emotional support.
To date, almost 400 Benchmark employees have enrolled in different aspects of the program, which launched Nov. 1. About 90% of members that engage in the platform are using their original healthcare providers, according to the organization.
From the July/August 2023 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
