Thoughts from Your Executive Director: Leading with Safety

By Brad Dilday

We are extremely committed to—and continually invest in—maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive environment for every member of the Springmoor community. As your Executive Director, I want to share how seriously all of us on the leadership team take our responsibility to ensure residents and staff are protected each day.

At Springmoor, safety is more than just a checklist; it’s a mindset. Whether it’s in the dining room, on our beautifully landscaped walking paths, during transportation on the Springmoor bus, or within the clinical and residential areas, we’re dedicated to creating an atmosphere where each person feels secure and cared for.

Always a focus, safety awareness received additional emphasis during June, which is recognized as National Safety Month. We engaged in focused training sessions for staff, reviewed safety protocols, and actively encouraged open communication about any potential hazards.

One element of this effort was “Safety Bingo.” This was an engaging way to reinforce workplace safety that involved distributing customized bingo cards. Employees marked off safety-related phrases and buzzwords daily to keep safety top of mind. Through friendly competition (who doesn’t enjoy bingo?), Safety Bingo reinforced daily habits and helped promote a culture of safety awareness. 

Our leadership team supports employees to remember that every choice they make, whether it’s properly storing equipment, walking a resident to an activity, or following appropriate health procedures, can significantly impact residents’ wellbeing. Unsafe practices, even if unintentional, can have real consequences.

We recognize that a small oversight can lead to a fall, a medication error, or an emergency that could have been prevented. That’s why we emphasize the importance of vigilance and proactive thinking in every role, across every department.

The voices of our residents are also vital. Residents are our partners in this effort to maintain safety, and we welcome their feedback. If a resident ever notices something that seems unsafe or has ideas for improving our procedures, I encourage them to speak with a team member or reach out to me directly. Your insight helps us grow stronger as a community!

Together, we can foster a safe environment at Springmoor. This is one of the most important ways we care for each other and ensure that our community remains not only a beautiful place to live, but a safe one.