Staff Collaboration: How Dining & Nursing Teams Work Smarter with Go Icon

In senior living, the best resident experiences are built by teams who plan together, show up for one another, and communicate clearly. When Nursing, Dining, and Life Enrichment work as partners, not just parallel departments, everything runs smoother.

Here are 7 practical ways to strengthen collaboration across departments, plus how Go Icon’s built-in tools can make it easier.

1. Co-Plan Themed Days and Signature Events

Let go of siloed planning. Bring Nursing and Dining in at the beginning—especially for seasonal celebrations or signature programs.

Try this:

• Invite department leads to a quick monthly calendar huddle (even 15 minutes helps).
• Use Go Icon’s Calendar Drafting Tool to preview upcoming themes and ask for ideas or contributions.

Example:
Planning a Summer BBQ? Dining can prep a themed menu, while Nursing supports hydration and safety, and you manage entertainment and games.

2. Share the Calendar—Before It’s Final

Most teams see the calendar after it’s printed. By then, it’s too late to adjust or align.

Use Go Icon to:

• Send a calendar preview via Messaging to department heads.
• Add a comment box so they can give feedback directly in the system.
• Track who’s seen it—no more “I didn’t know that was happening.”

3. Align on Resident Needs and Risks

Nursing knows who may need physical support, dietary changes, or medication timing adjustments during programs.

Use Go Icon’s Resident Profiles to:

• Check who’s on thickened liquids before planning a smoothie social.
• Confirm transfer assistance needs before scheduling seated yoga or outings.
• Avoid conflicts with treatment times (tracked in the daily schedule view).

4. Make It Easy to Join the Fun

Often, Nursing and Dining staff want to participate—but aren’t sure if they’re invited or don’t have time to prep.

Ideas:

• Create “Pop-In Moments” on the calendar just for them (e.g., “Nursing Ice Cream Hour” or “Dining Team Lip Sync Surprise”).
• Add department shout-outs or co-host credits on Go Icon’s printable flyers or the Family App.

5. Communicate Clearly Without Extra Work

Sticky notes and bulletin boards don’t cut it. Everyone’s juggling priorities, so make your messages easy to access and quick to read.

With Go Icon:

• Use the Staff Announcement Feed to highlight daily or weekly events.
  Pin important reminders: “All Hands on Deck for Casino Night!” or “Dietary Support Needed for Pancake Brunch.”
• Schedule recurring nudges (e.g., “Don’t forget to prep hydration carts at 2:30 PM on social days”).

6. Celebrate Shared Wins

Everyone loves to feel appreciated and when departments see their efforts recognized, it builds momentum for the next event.

Ideas:

• Post photos of joint events to the internal digital display or Family App with team credits.
• Shout out specific staff in your Go Icon Monthly Gazette or daily announcements.

Example:
“Big thank you to Dining for the parfait bar at Bingo Brunch! Residents are still talking about it!”

7. Build Consistency with Shared Templates

When each department knows what’s expected and where to plug in, planning becomes easier.

Use Go Icon Templates to:

• Create shared planning docs for events (e.g., “Who’s bringing what?” “Staff roles checklist”).
• Standardize how program plans are shared—so everyone’s working from the same playbook.

The strongest communities run on teamwork. When you collaborate early, communicate often, and celebrate together, it shows—in resident satisfaction, smoother operations, and team morale.

With Go Icon, collaboration doesn’t have to mean more work. It just means working smarter.