At Glimore Gardens, Richmond’s first independent living residence for seniors, the philosophy is plain and simple. Their 130 or so residents are not considered customers — they are family.
That’s one of the reasons its general manager, Elizabeth Ho, believes her organization was named the Workplace of the Year in the Richmond Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Excellence Awards.
“I think part of it is that we’re really not selling a product. We are very much a personal, one-on-one relationship-building organization,” she said. “And what makes us the workplace of the year is that the people who work here really care about our residents, who are our customers, but we feel are our family, too. So, that feeling of family and support for each other really extends to the team of workers.”
Gilmore Gardens was opened in May 1999 on land which that was initially the parking lot for Gilmore Park United Church.
When rebuilding the church, an opportunity to accommodate the well-being of local seniors was identified. And along with Verve Senior Living, CanBrit developers, and private investors, built and established Gilmore Gardens Seniors Community.
Management and staff are empowered to work as a team, to constantly improve, and to take pride in providing outstanding customer service. The result is residents who are heard, supported and, most of all, fulfilled.
Recognition plays a big role in incentivizing work at Gilmore Gardens. Fair wage increases are delivered across the team. For all staff, the greatest incentive is knowing they have touched a resident and helped them have a great day; through a simple hello, a smile or a hug.
“We’re thrilled and very excited and honoured to be recognized this way, particularly in Richmond amongst such a huge diverse group of businesses and industry segments,” Ho said.
“For us, Gilmore Gardens has had a great reputation in the community as a wonderful place to live,” she added. “And we’re just really proud that the recognition has extended to such a great place to work. For us, the award really brings home the fact that this is a place that we want to come to every day. It’s not considered somewhere we have to go.
“We are truly family here.”
