National Assisted Living Week: How WellLink GPO Supports the People Behind Care

Across the United States, approximately one million Americans call assisted living communities their home.

National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 13-19, is an opportunity to recognize the incredible people who make assisted living communities special. This year’s theme, “Shining Through the Years,” celebrates the experiences, wisdom and contributions of residents while recognizing the people who support them.

Every day, dedicated caregivers, nurses, dining teams, housekeepers, administrators, supply chain professionals and many others work together to create an environment where residents can feel connected, comfortable and safe.

But what does it take to keep assisted living communities running smoothly and ensure residents and staff have what they need each day?

How WellLink GPO Supports Assisted Living

Providing quality care requires the right products, services, people and resources to support every part of a community.

For assisted living teams, purchasing needs can span nearly every area of daily operations. From the products that support residents’ care to the supplies, technology and services that keep a community clean, comfortable and running smoothly, these responsibilities require significant time and expertise.

And behind each purchasing decision are people working to make sure residents experience a high quality of life, while making sure their communities have what they need to care for residents and support their staff.

WellLink GPO helps assisted living organizations make the most of their purchasing dollars by providing access to pre-negotiated agreements, savings opportunities and personalized support.

Through the collective purchasing power of more than $1.5 billion, WellLink GPO members can access competitive pricing and agreements across a broad range of products and services. With more than 32,500 member locations nationwide and more than 4,000 contracts, WellLink helps organizations, no matter the size, receive discounts of 10-20% on products and services they need.

For example, WellLink GPO has agreements that allow members like assisted living communities to purchase high-quality food at lower prices than might be possible if not for the collective purchasing power of a GPO.

For foodservice needs, members can access US Foods, which provides access to more than 350,000 national brand products and average savings of 8% to 12% on foodservice expenses.

WellLink’s account managers work closely with members to navigate agreements, identify savings opportunities and answer any questions that arise. And when a member has a need that is not addressed by an existing agreement, WellLink GPO can develop custom contracts designed to meet their specific needs.

WellLink GPO’s senior living agreements cover a wide range of products and services that keep everything running smoothly, including:

• ·       Nutritionals: Thick-It®, Ensure®, Boost®
• ·       Medical Products & Supplies: Gloves, IV supplies, needles, syringes
• ·       Incontinence Products: Protective pads, liners, briefs, wipes
• ·       Wound Care: Bandages, dressings, negative pressure therapy
• ·       Kitchen Equipment: Commercial refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers
• ·       Information Technology: PCs, cellular, printers
• ·       Office & Business Supplies: Toner, paper, furniture
• ·       Housekeeping & Laundry: Equipment, janitorial supplies, chemicals
• ·       Facilities: Maintenance, repair and operations

All of these products and services, and more, play a vital role in creating an environment where residents can live comfortably and staff can do their jobs effectively. Through these pre-negotiated agreements, members save time and money so they can focus on day-to-day responsibilities and other important tasks.

Supporting Healthcare Workers Behind the Scenes

Our support for healthcare and senior living extends beyond purchasing. Through WellLink Health Alliance, we support initiatives that strengthen healthcare organizations, the workforce and the communities they serve.

From workforce development and education to community partnerships and advocacy, WellLink Health Alliance works to address challenges facing healthcare while promoting healthier communities.

WellLink GPO complements this work by helping healthcare and other organizations access products, services and purchasing opportunities that can improve operational efficiency and manage costs. Together, WellLink Health Alliance and WellLink GPO reflect a broader commitment to supporting healthcare organizations both in care delivery and behind the scenes.

For assisted living communities, that support can take many forms, including helping organizations access the supplies and services they need to operate smoothly and supporting initiatives that strengthen the healthcare workforce and the communities they serve.

By connecting resources, organizations and people, WellLink works to create stronger, healthier communities.

Shining Through the Years

The theme of this year’s National Assisted Living Week is a fitting reminder that people are at the heart of every assisted living community.

At WellLink GPO, we are proud to play a role in supporting these communities. While our work happens behind the scenes, we know that helping provide access to products, services and savings opportunities can make a difference.

This week, we celebrate the residents, caregivers and staff who support them, and everyone who contributes to making assisted living communities places where people can live and thrive.

For more information and ideas on how to celebrate National Assisted Living Week, you can visit American Health Care Association’s website.