​With a clinical background as an EMT, I understand the immense value of caregivers—both at home and in clinical settings. As the leader of a post-acute health care system serving people in New York State, New York City, and Southern New Jersey, I have the opportunity to put that understanding into action.

We’ve all heard the saying, "put your own oxygen mask on first." The metaphor perfectly illustrates the importance of prioritizing personal needs to be able to care for others. In the health care setting, it can describe any action that will increase well-being, prevent burnout, and set an example for both patients and colleagues. I know that when caregivers feel healthy and cared for, they provide even better care for their charges.

In 10 years, the number of people aged 65 and over will reach 77 million, and by 2060, that number will hit nearly 95 million, meaning that a significant percentage of our society will soon need elder care. Amid this ballooning in need, making sure there are enough qualified and compassionate clinical caregivers for our aging loved ones will get increasingly more difficult. Right now, in our country, there is a shortage of qualified nurses and health care professionals—especially front-line responders—and this trend is expected to continue.

Engaging and retaining qualified and compassionate clinical caregivers is one of the long term care community’s greatest challenges. But supporting and uplifting their overall well-being is something that can make a huge impact.

Health leaders, working with their HR teams, can easily start their own wellness movements in their organizations. Here’s how:

• Foster programs that encourage physical activity, such as movement challenges, 5k running teams, volleyball matches, softball tournaments, or bowling leagues.
• Encourage lunchtime walking clubs, and reward high steppers with recognition or prizes. Utilize your social media accounts to lift up participants and encourage colleagues to share.
• Prioritize standing or walking meetings. End calls 5 or 10 minutes before the hour to give employees time to stretch and move.
• If possible, offer the ability to use flexible hours to fit in workouts.

Across Centers Health Care, healthy movement is intentional, celebrated, and encouraged for both residents and staff. Last year, our program, Care That Moves You, inspired more than 2,500 minutes of movement across our network. We offered a series of summer events at all facilities that encouraged residents, employees, families, and communities to stay active and healthy. 

Movement is a cornerstone of our care as well, so we’re excited about how our Care That Moves You program promotes healthy habits through exercise and engaging activities. From outdoor luaus and 50s-themed carnivals to group Zumba and exercise sessions to games like bowling, ring toss, shuffleboard, and even basketball, residents throughout our facilities got active together and had fun.

For 27 years, our mission has been delivering exceptional post-acute care, whether it's short-term rehabilitation or long-term support. In the two years that we’ve hosted Care That Moves You, we’ve seen an increase in mobility and overall health and wellbeing—not just for residents, but for our team members as well—and that’s truly phenomenal.

And we’re promoting movement all year round—not just in the summertime. Each Thanksgiving we hold Turkey Trot-themed events at to make movement fun around the holidays. To celebrate National Heart Month in February, we challenged our residents and team members to do as many jumping jacks as possible within a two-minute period for prizes and systemwide recognition. We participate in and sponsor local spring and fall 5k races in the communities we serve. We’re constantly challenging our caregivers, encouraging them to exercise and helping them to build healthy habits to last a lifetime.

Retention is a critical component of our success. By investing in our people and creating a supportive, healthy environment, we have seen a noticeable decrease in turnover rates. Our employees report that they feel valued.

We’re instilling a culture of putting our own oxygen mask on first, in order to bring our best selves to those we serve. A simple concept, but a powerful one.

Kenny Rozenberg is chief executive officer of Centers Health Care and a certified paramedic. Centers Health Care is a premier network of skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and senior care services with 45 locations throughout the Northeast.