Written by Robyn Horn

Happy New Year!  What is the popular saying:  “Out with the old, in with the new”?  Before we do that, I want to reflect on 2020.  While there was certainly a lot to throw out, I’d like to focus on the positive aspects of the year – a year we could have never predicted when the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2019.  I have seen and heard story after story of the heroic and creative ways that healthcare professionals provided (and continue to provide) care to the elderly.  Speaking as the daughter of a 77 year old mother living in a senior living community, I am so very grateful to all those in healthcare who have sacrificed so much for their patients, clients, and residents.  Recently, I saw a request on Facebook that said, “Show me a picture where you were completely happy in the year 2020.  A picture where nothing else mattered.”  Posted was a photo of a 90-year-old spouse seeing and embracing his wife for the first time in months due to the quarantine.  In the midst of a pandemic, this was true happiness!

As a CEU provider, I am thankful for all my clients who helped keep my small business afloat in 2020.  In March, the live CEUs that we were presenting came to a screeching halt, but many of you helped me test the waters by participating in live webinars, a concept that seemed so foreign at the time.  And then I had requests for recorded webinars to be offered as an online CEU option.  In the beginning, I was out of my comfort zone presenting to a camera/computer screen without having feedback from an audience, but with your support and encouragement, we now have MANY recorded CEUs.  My personal favorite, not surprisingly, is How Healthcare Professionals Lead During a Pandemic: The Power of Positivity.

Now on with the new in 2021.  On LinkedIn this week, I saw another request involving a grid of letters with 25 rows, 40 letters each.  The post said “The first 4 words you see are your focus for 2021.”  Please indulge me as I share my words and reflect on what that means for me and my company.

Change – I am excited about the changes coming in 2021.  We will continue to provide live and recorded webinars as well as online written CEUs for referral sources and individual nurses, social workers, and case managers.  Look for new ways that you can offer these CEUs to your referral sources including monthly bulk pricing and the online ability to order, track the progress of your distribution, and follow-up directly with those to whom you distributed.

Creation – We will be creating new topics based on needs in the constantly changing healthcare environment.  Looking forward to any feedback and suggestions!  Our website will soon have a resource link where we will post relevant articles to help you stay up-to-date with what is happening in the healthcare/long-term care industry. 

Connection – I see 2021 as the year of connection having been isolated due to the pandemic and look forward to re-connecting with all of you in person (as protocols allow) as well as through social media and other forms of technology.  I miss you!

Family:  This is the last word that I found.  It reminded me of the vision I created 14 years ago – To build a company that will enhance quality care for the elderly, utilize my God-given gifts of encouraging and public speaking, and provide financial support for my family while never forgetting that their needs take priority over everything else.  I have been blessed beyond measure with family (became a grandma – GiGi – this year) and will continue to make it a priority!

We don’t know what 2021 will bring but my hope and prayer is that it is full of abundant blessings for all of you!  I leave you with one last thought:  What will be your focus this year?