LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — At The Gardens at Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, staff members are known for going above and beyond for their residents.
"Our common theme that we say is you were someone's bundle of joy at home point in life, and no matter your background or financial status, you are one of us. We call them our people," said Jason Davies, The Gardens at Wyoming Valley administrator.
State officials with the Shapiro administration stopped by the facility to highlight the Long-Term Care Quality Investment Program, which focuses on keeping employees and quality of care.
"If you can't take care of yourself, it is hard to take care of other people, so it's about better care for the patients, but also better care for the staff," said Dr. Debra Bogen, the state's acting health secretary.
Earlier this year, 127 long-term care facilities received funding from the state through the program.
"They can invest in their workforce, and they can do that in a variety of ways. The Gardens at Wyoming Valley are putting it into staff education," Dr. Bogen said.
In an industry where there is a 50 percent turnover rate, administrators at The Gardens at Wyoming Valley tell Newswatch 16 that in the past year, they've been able to retain 96 percent of staff—a trend they'd like to see across the state.
"There is no quick, easy way to do it, but when you invest in your staff, they stay, and you can build from there," Davies said.
"We have to make sure we are looking at innovative ways to attract people in the field but also keep them and have paths for advancement," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. "Programs like this give us hope."
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