PETALUMA -- “Our employees are constantly nurturing other people, so we make it a point to nurture and pamper them as well,” said Stanton Lawson who, along with his wife and CEO Garbiella Ambrosi, runs Sequoia Senior Solutions.
One way in which they make sure their employees feel cared for is through their “Pampered in Paradise” lottery. The couple owns a timeshare in Hawaii. Every other year they give their condo, as well as two round-trip airline tickets, to a lucky employee.
“Last year the winners were, by coincidence, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. So we were able to give them the vacation of a lifetime,” Ms. Ambrosi said.
Sequoia Senior Solutions provides services to the elderly who want to continue living independently in their own homes but need help to do so. “Our caregivers serve as companions to our clients and help them with chores and errands. Other times they are needed for more hands-on care,” Mr. Lawson said.
“We hire compassionate, kind, loving people who thrive in an environment where they make a difference in people's lives and are appreciated for what they do. We provide these very special people a chance to do something that they are absolutely passionate about; we train them to be professionals in their jobs, and we show them appreciation for all that they do. When the caregivers are happy, the clients are happy, which in turn makes the caregivers feel appreciated."
Another way management lets their staff know they are aware of how difficult their work can be is by allowing personal leave days when a caregiver's client passes away. “Our staff are professionals and they understand that their elderly clients will likely pass away shortly," Mr. Lawson said. "But they also understand that they are giving their clients the gift of help and support in the last days of their lives so that they can pass with dignity in the comfort of their own homes. Being able to give that gift to someone is incredibly satisfying. Even so, it can be traumatic. So we make sure that the caregivers can take off as much time as they need after a death in order to recover and recoup.”
Mr. Lawson added that the company also strives to be accommodating when their employees are taking care of others in their personal lives. “Many of our caregivers become the main caregiver to their family members when the need arises, and we are very supportive and allow flexibility in their schedules so that they can care for their own loved ones.”
