Hospice of Marion County and Its Affiliated Companies Win AARP Award

Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and Its Affiliated Companies are among the top employers around the country according to AARP. The Best Employers for Workers Over 50 award, now in its sixth year, was established by AARP to honor companies that show commitment to an aging workforce.

Key areas of consideration include:  recruiting practices; opportunities for training; education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and pension benefits; retiree benefits, and age diversity of the workforce.

Fifty-nine percent of Hospice of Marion County and its companies’ employees are over the age of 50, while 48 percent of new hires in the past 12 months are 50+. These figures represent the highest percentage of 50+ employees and new hires among all 2006 AARP Best Employers winners. "Over the years, we have seen a trend in employees in this age group. They come with a level of maturity and experience that is simply unparalleled," says Human Resources Director Roy J. Hoxworth.

Hospice of Marion County’s Alice J. Privett, CEO/President,
reviews the Six-Month Report with Jack Casebolt,
marketing rep for Florida Palliative Home Care.

"We find that when we recruit for employees who will provide palliative care (pain control and symptom management) to patients, their perspective and insight is so much deeper than those who are less experienced,” adds CEO/President Alice J. Privett. “We have also noticed a loyalty and longevity factor in 50+ workers. The hospice approach suits their personal belief system and style of caregiving."

"Dynamic employers recognize the importance of creating a mutually beneficial work environment," says AARP Executive Council member Doug Heinlen. "Hospice of Marion County, and its affiliated companies, Accent Medical, Florida Palliative Home Care and SummerField Suites, are to be congratulated for undergoing a tough evaluation process and coming out on top."

Hospice and its three affiliated companies employ 375 people and have trained 490 volunteers who serve nearly 1,000 patients every day. This award comes on the heels of another national award, Best Medium-Sized Company to Work for in America, from the Great Place to Work® Institute and The Society for Human Resource Management, awarded to Hospice of Marion County and Its Affiliated Companies for three years running. AARP will host an awards’ presentation September 21 in Chicago, and feature Ocala Hospice nurse Wanda Barnes and Chaplain Jack Cushman in the October issue of AARP’s Florida Update.