Member Spotlight: The Lutheran Home Leaves No Stone Unturned in Finding Workforce Solutions

In the world of long-term care staffing, finding the solution can feel like searching for a unicorn—while blindfolded—during a snowstorm. But The Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa has cracked the code. Their secret? Not one magic bullet, but a whole arsenal. Because when it comes to solving the staffing crisis, they know one size definitely doesn’t fit all.

Instead of hoping for the perfect hire to just walk through the door (though let’s be honest, we’ve all crossed our fingers for that), The Lutheran Home decided to meet the workforce challenge head-on—with creativity, flexibility, and a whole lot of heart.

Training? Covered. Lutheran Home has established an in-house CNA training program through ReadyCNA to grow talent from within—because sometimes the best way to find great staff is to make them yourself.

Childcare? Check. An on-site childcare center ensures their team doesn’t have to choose between work and family. It’s a win-win—happy kids, happy caregivers.

Self-care? Absolutely. A staff gym open 24/7 gives employees the chance to blow off steam, lift some weights, or just feel like they’re doing something productive besides lifting residents (although, that counts too).

Pay? On their terms. With early wage access through PayActiv, team members can access earned wages when they need them most— because life doesn’t wait until payday.

And then there’s the secret sauce—the one thing that really sets The Lutheran Home apart: their Director of Caregiver Support, Stephanie Leanes.

Stephanie Leanes, Director of Caregiver Support (left) and Kathy Cavers, President & CEO (right)

Think of Stephanie as the ultimate workforce whisperer. With a deep background in social work and a knack for building meaningful connections, she focuses on supporting the caregivers who support everyone else. She provides dementia education for staff and families, oversees community programming like adult day services and early memory loss programs, and works tirelessly to ensure caregivers—both professional and family—feel seen, heard, and supported. Her role is all about nurturing the people who make long-term care possible.

In a field where burnout is real and turnover is high, Stephanie’s role is a gamechanger. She builds relationships, connects staff with resources, and brings a level of emotional support that reminds everyone: You’re not in this alone.

And here’s the kicker: all these efforts—the training, the childcare, the gym, the financial flexibility, the dedicated caregiver support—have led to something pretty incredible: The Lutheran Home has nearly eliminated agency staff, with a grand total of one traveling evening shift RN. That’s right. In an industry where agency use has become the norm, they’ve managed to build a stable, loyal team that sticks around.

Because when you invest in your people, they invest right back.

The Lutheran Home proves that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to staffing—but with creativity, compassion, and a little out-of-the-box thinking, you can turn the tide. And maybe, just maybe, even find that unicorn.