A worthy 2020 resolution: Let’s work together. JESSICA DAILY, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF RESIDENT PROGRAMS
Your program leaders use a mix of unique monthly themes and national program initiatives to develop and lead experiences to inspire residents to live their best life at your community. A wellness model guides this planning and contributes to the overall lifestyle for residents. The question is: Why not allow the wellness plans to enrich the marketing efforts? Resident wellness programs reveal lifestyle Prospects who visit a community for a tour or event will notice when wellness activities are part of everyday resident life. It’s a good look that seniors and their adult children are likely to feel positive about – that balanced, well-rounded living is the lifestyle’s ever-present goal.
And when it’s clear there’s a month-to-month wellness plan from the Senior Lifestyle Communities programming team, it adds to the impression that wellness matters here. The next step is then obvious: Local marketing efforts can and should echo the refrains of monthly wellness themes and make it possible for a visiting prospect to have an experience that’s similar to a resident’s. Senior Lifestyle wellness-focused programs Brain Health University. A curriculum of 30 programs offered within a 60-day period, the University is a collection of courses added to a community’s program schedule. The classes demonstrate how novelty, variety and appropriate challenge can stimulate brain growth. Brain Health University reviews the influence of physical activity, nutrition, stress management, sleep, cognitive stimulation and social interaction on brain health. Residents who participate in the program gain knowledge of lifestyle changes they can make to affect their cognitive health – often a leading concern for older adults.
FIVE 2020 PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES TO KNOW Senior Lifestyle’s overarching programming goal for 2020 is to build connections between the communities and the home office via shared experiences. That’s why we’re focusing on the SLC Vision to become the trusted leader in senior living services and creating great places to work and live!
Explore. Independent residents find opportunities to engage and explore by living purposely, finding passion and seeking opportunities for playful interaction with peers each day. Found at three independent living communities currently – with more signing on in 2020 – Explore provides seven channels for programs and activities: • • • •
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Be Inspired. Daily programs in our communities are based on resident interests, monthly themes and the Six Elements of a Fulfilling Lifestyle named in Senior Lifestyle’s Be Inspired wellness program. They are:
• Move: Physical activity • Grow: Intellectual stimulation • Feel: Emotional support Movement & Mind: • Reflect: Spirituality Go - Be Strong - Feel Good • Connect: Social opportunity Culture & The Arts: • Contribute: Vocational activity Create - Express - Show Your Style Lectures & Learning: Load your local marketing with wellness Understand - Discover - Stretch Your Mind Rely on Senior Lifestyle wellness programming Recreation & Entertainment: and the 2020 Event Guide to establish your Be Amused - Play/Goof Off - community’s marketing plan. You’ll find the Have a Good Time work the programming group has already Spiritual Health & Religion: done can help with themes and ideas. Plus, any Purpose - Fellowship - Ethics events you offer with wellness tie-ins will give Leadership & Volunteerism: prospects the unexpected benefit of on-theMentor - Inspire - Share Your Talent spot, meaningful enrichment. Travels & Treks: Trek - Explore - Discover New Worlds
This year, watch for these special projects: • Dancing Couple Journey. Let’s bring our logo to life! Pop-up banners of the dancing couple will tour the USA this year, stopping at Senior Lifestyle communities and sharing their adventures via social media. We’ll get a peek inside a day in the life at our sister communities all over the country, and we’ll encourage each community to share unique facts by showing off what they do best with the dancers. • Spirit Week. We’re creating pride in our company, and we’re celebrating great places to work and great places to live! Members from the home office along with community team members and residents will be challenged to show off their SLC pride by donning specific clothing or participating in group activities and games to promote unity via shared experiences.
FRESH, FREE TIP: Did you know social engagement plays a significant role in brain health? It’s another reason to consider community living! – 2016 AARP Social Engagement and Brain Health Survey
• Longest Day. Special activities strengthen our connection to the Alzheimer’s Association and demonstrate our passion to provide the best experience for our residents and support the fund for a cure through advocacy and fundraising. • Senior Olympics. Our competitive side is showing! We’ll sponsor age-friendly events, and an internal Olympic committee will gather to plan, inspire and lead the way for this company-wide effort. • Active Aging Week. Observed the last week of October, Active Aging Week is planned and led in partnership with the ICAA (International Council on Active Aging). We’ll highlight how our residents break the stereotype of aging and redefine what it means to be actively engaged in life. Plus, each year our program leaders compete in a contest to show off the unique events and programs they feature at their communities. © 2019-2020 Senior Lifestyle | 303 East Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601