Recognized as a Best of the Best Program to Spotlight, Brookdale Senior Living’s “The Ageless Spirit” demonstrated to residents that personal growth is a life-long venture, one that does not end in retirement.
ALFA 2013 Best of the Best Program to Spotlight
Last year, as part of its Optimum Life wellness program, Brookdale Senior Living offered “The Ageless Spirit,” a year of programming to help residents explore the role of spirituality in their life, health, and well-being. Through classes and wellness fairs, participants learned how to use evidence-based, mind-body techniques such as relaxation, exercises, and guided meditation. They were taught practical tips for stress management, positive thinking, journaling, and the role of gratitude in overall health. Among the most popular components was a meditation CD by Brookdale’s Jim Concotelli MSW, Ph.D. and Carol Cummings BSN, CHWC.
The program provided a positive framework about the value of spirituality in aging. “I think there’s a hunger to remain positive and remain engaged, and so a lot of the class material had that type of focus,” says Concotelli, senior director of Optimum Life. “It was things they could do for themselves.”
An estimated 10,000 residents and 1,000 prospects participated; about 200 professionals attended a continuing education component.
The above best practice was recognized as an ALFA 2013 Best of the Best Award winner. Do you have a best practice, product, service or solution at your community or company that is advancing excellence in senior living? The Call for Nominations for the ALFA 2014 Best of the Best Awards will begin in October. Visit ALFA.org/bestofthebest to read more best practices.
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