What do a long-term care facility and a fire house have in common? A lot, actually. Dirty and rewarding jobs, life and death, dark and light moments—yet the firefighter culture thrives with little burnout and low attrition.
Why is that?
Firefighters create a supportive and celebratory culture that acknowledges the heartache (death around the corner) while celebrating joy. Long-term care workers are confronted with their mortality every day but have little support to help them relieve fear, grief, and sadness. When they are burned out they leave.
Anthony Cirillo, FACHE, ABC, is a marketing consultant, professional speaker, aging and senior health expert, and the owner of Fast Forward Consulting. Visit his personal blog at www.anthonyssong.blogspot.com.
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