EvenMORE For You

401(k) Webinar: Time Well Spent!

Crossroads’ 401(k) plan was the subject of our first benefits webinar and according to team members who attended, it was very beneficial. They gained knowledge of 401(k) retirement plans in general but also how to calculate and approach their own retirement savings. 

Crossroads’ longtime 401(k) Plan Advisor Bo Connor of Merrill Lynch presented the webinar three different times last month.

Cleveland’s Executive Director Catherine Eggleston was one of the webinar attendees. Catherine first noted, “How lucky we are that Crossroads contributes to the 401(k) plan.”

On a personal note, Catherine said, “It (the webinar) helped me to understand amortization of different stocks and bonds. Bo did a wonderful job outlining different paths towards different objectives and long term versus short term financial goals.”

“One thing that stands out about webinars in general is how nice it is for Crossroads to do them for us.” That’s according to Support Services Director Val Criswell in Kansas City.

Learning How Much Money is Needed to Retire

Val admitted it was “eye-opening” to learn how much money is needed to retire. “The 401(k) webinar is relevant to a lot of team members who are several years away from retirement but ready for some preliminary planning or their first retirement planning meeting with a financial planner,” she said.

Roxanne Janzen, Support Services Director in Lenexa and Diana Adams, HR Coordinator in Kansas City learned, based on the calculators Bo presented in the webinar, that they need to save more in their 401(k) plans for retirement.

“The one thing I learned: I am not putting enough money into my 401(k) based on my current age/retirement age. It has led me to reevaluate my accounts to start saving more for my future.” Diana felt similarly, “I thought it was a very good presentation. It made me realize that I haven’t been contributing enough!! LOL.”

When asked which benefits team members would like to learn more about through webinars, the benefit receiving the most requests was our 401(k) plan. That’s why Bo’s webinar on retirement planning and our 401(k) plan was the first benefits webinar we introduced.

Our second benefits webinar on Nomi Health took place this week. If you missed it, the slides are available on mycrossroadsbenefits.com.

In May, the webinar is on My Benefits Work, Crossroads’ central hub for free support services such as Teladoc, Teladoc Mental Health, Financial Wellness and Counseling Services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

According to Crossroads leaders, webinars will continue to be presented throughout the year. Stay tuned for upcoming topics!

Brand New!

New Initiative Benefits Patients, Long-Term Care Facilities and Crossroads Team Members

During brief “pre-weekend” visits on Thursdays and Fridays, Crossroads volunteers will perform valuable in-person check-ins with both patients and long-term care facilities with Crossroads’ new volunteer-driven Concierge Service. 

It’s a brand-new idea that’s creating buzz with Crossroads leaders who are enthusiastic about piloting the program in Kansas City. Recruiting will begin April 29.

Finding out if our patients are declining or whether any supplies are needed before the weekend is the singular goal of this new volunteer program that ensures patient comfort while providing an added layer of support to our long-term care facility partners.

Of course, the critical information concierge volunteers gain will also assist with Crossroads’ staff planning. The volunteers’ role is to communicate pertinent and emergent information to Crossroads immediately following their visits.

We Need Concierge Volunteers!

According to Crossroads Vice President of Patient Support Services, in a tight labor market where it’s difficult to recruit paid team members, recruiting volunteers has become that much more difficult. And the post COVID-19 pandemic world has kept so many volunteers at home.

Market conditions have led to some innovative ideas for volunteer recruitment including targeting students aspiring to careers in healthcare delivery, healthcare administration and even journalism, marketing and event management.

Sherri reminds all team members that, like their ability to refer a family or community member to hospice, prospective volunteers are everywhere. They’re in our families, the children of friends, members of our faith groups and any place you might imagine. 

Stay tuned for more volunteer recruitment tips and news in future editions of EM4U. All team members are encouraged to help us increase our volunteer corps in every Crossroads location.