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Active aging industry news from around the world
Vancouver community shows its Olympic spirit
As of press time, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games are underway in Vancouver, Canada. One of the highlights for Canadians has been the 45,000-kilometer (approximately 28,000 miles) cross-country Olympic Torch Relay, which has included more than 12,000 participants since October 22, 2009. At the Tapestry at The O’Keefe–Arbutus Walk, the first flagship retirement community managed by Leisure Care, Canada, and owned by Concert Properties, residents and staff showed their Olympic spirit by cheering on the community’s “unofficial” torch relay. Fifteen residents relayed the makeshift torch throughout the eight-storey building to the Tapestry’s rooftop patio. General Manager Sam Zeitoun then lit the Cauldron. The event was “meaningful” for Tapestry residents, according to Recreation Manager Maria Peretta, who adds that it was “a great way to kick off the Olympic Games for residents.”
Deadline approaches for journal article submissions
Article submissions for the 2010 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Seniors Housing & Care will be accepted until May 3, according to Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging and the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry. The annual publication focuses on applied research and best practices in the fields of seniors housing and long-term care. It is distributed to more than 2,000 long-term care managers, executives and investors.
Scientific papers must be based on completed research and demonstrate relevance for the senior living industry. Topics of interest include: macro trends and market analysis; seniors housing issues; risk management; operations; government, policy, or regulatory issues; and service/care outcomes data. Journaleditors select one outstanding research paper annually for special recognition as the GE Healthcare Financial Services Best Research Paper. For 2010 manuscript guidelines, contact Scott King at sking@matherlifeways.com.
AoA launches new legal resources website
Recognizing the challenges that many older adults face in today’s economic climate, the US Administration on Aging (AoA) has launched a new website for the National Legal Resource Center (NLRC). Located at www.nlrc.aoa.gov, the NLRC site provides professionals and advocates in aging and law with streamlined access to important resource support, including case consultation and training on the most difficult legal issues facing older adults. State offices on aging and local community-based aging organizations can also gain site access to technical assistance.
AoA created NLRC in 2008 to empower legal and aging services advocates with the resources to provide high-quality legal help to those who face direct threats to their ability to live independently in their homes and communities. The collaborative project involves the following five national nonprofit organizations: National Senior Citizens Law Center, National Consumer Law Center, The Center for Social Gerontology, The Center for Elder Rights Advocacy, and the American Bar Association-Commission on Law and Aging.
PRS named manager of Wisconsin community
Beginning in December 2009, Oregon-based Pacific Retirement Services, Inc., (PRS) assumed management of Middleton Glen, an independent living retirement community in Middleton, Wisconsin. PRS was awarded contracts for both community phases after a Request for Proposal (RFP) process that involved public and resident board members.
“PRS has a resident-centered approach to management that thrives on feedback, so our very first task will be to learn the needs and wants of residents and employees by conducting surveys,” says Administrator of Operations Torsten Hirche. “We look forward to partnering with everyone at Middleton Glen in furthering the success of this community.”
Brookdale establishes Red Hat Society chapters
Brookdale Senior Living has teamed up with the Red Hat Society to offer its female residents across the US a chapter within their communities. The Red Hat Society empowers women “to have fun, strengthen their community, and unite those that are passionate and like-minded and believe in the joys of sisterhood at any age.” The Red Hat chapters provide residents with another opportunity to embrace all the dimensions of Brookdale’s Optimum Life wellness lifestyle. “The mission of the Red Hat Society and Brookdale’s cornerstone of ‘having fun and celebrating life every day’ aligns together perfectly,” says Sara Terry, senior vice president of Optimum Life for Brookdale. “By teaming up with the Red Hat Society and bringing their unique programs to our communities, we are both achieving this mission of fun and celebration for our residents.” Brookdale chapter meetings began in January.
ASA announces change of address
The American Society on Aging (ASA) has moved. The association’s new address is 71 Stevenson Street, Suite 1450, San Francisco, California 94105-2938; telephone and fax numbers remain unchanged. As of press time, ASA is gearing up for its 10th annual joint conference with the National Council on Aging, March 15–19 in Chicago. Featured speakers include Gail Sheehy, Robert Butler and Ken Dychtwald.
A trio of name changes announced
Group Health Research Institute is the new name of Group Health Center for Health Studies, the research arm of Group Health Cooperative nonprofit healthcare system in Seattle, Washington. The 26-year-old center changed its name to reflect this relationship more clearly. Among the Institute’s main aims is providing scientific evidence for effective, affordable care.
Life Care Retirement Communities Inc., based in Des Moines, Iowa, recently became Lifespace Communities Inc. “Our experience and research show that seniors want to enjoy the good things in life, have freedom from logistics and feel secure in their financial future,” says Scott Harrison, Lifespace CEO. “They want opportunities to make connections, explore self-expression, wellness and personal growth while giving back to the community. Lifespace encapsulates all these concepts in our new brand,” Harrison believes.
Finally, Elderhostel has rebranded its programs under the name Exploritas, a change intended to focus on the excitement of lifelong learning and exploration and less on age. The organization is also offering new programs and services to appeal to Baby Boomers. These include the domestic Independent Explorations series, and shorter international travel experiences for those with limited availability or funds.
Winning documentary portrays ‘Golden Age’ warriors
At the 27th Sports Movies and Television Festival last fall, the Canadian film Champions grisonnants (Greying Champions) won in the category of Documentary–Individual Sports. The French-language documentary showcases three competitive athletes over age 60—a judoka, a mountain-bike racer and a marathon runner—whose passion for their sports challenges perceptions of aging. Champions grisonnants, now available with subtitles,had its first official broadcast on Québec’s TV5 in November. The producers now hope to find funding for an English-language documentary on the same topic.
University health system bans trans fats
As part of its commitment to improving the health and wellness of patients, visitors, faculty and staff, the University of Michigan (U-M) Health System has eliminated industrial trans fats from patient food programs and retail food operations, effective January 2010. Industrial trans fats have been widely recognized as leading to increases in bad cholesterol and decreases in good cholesterol, while contributing to obesity.
“We are not replacing foods, but modifying the current recipes or changing the menu mix to meet the trans-fat-free standard,” says U-M’s Craig Luck, contract administrator for Hospital Operations. More healthful fats will be used in all food preparation, and prepackaged foods will be trans-fat free, meaning the trans-fat content is less than 0.5 grams per serving. Luck adds that this step is another that U-M has taken “towards offering healthier food choices.”
Community colleges targeted as caregiver trainers
The International Longevity Center-USA (ILCUSA) and MetLife Foundation have published an issue brief on the role of community colleges in training caregivers. The brief discusses the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education’s Community College Task Force and its efforts to establish an active network of community colleges around the issues of longevity and aging, including caregiving. This document can be downloaded by clicking here.
Since the brief’s publication, ILCUSA and MetLife have launched the Community College Training Network. Available at www.ilcusa.org/ccctn, this online forum allows community colleges to share information and activities related to caregiving, caregiver training and their curricula.
ACTS retirement community wins Wii Bowl
Despite dropping the opening game of the inaugural national championship match, the third-seeded St. Andrews South Strikers rolled their way to the National Senior League Wii Bowl crown on December 15. Hailing from ACTS/St. Andrews Estates South in Boca Raton, Florida, the Strikers rallied to defeat the Riverside Place Silver from Charleroi, Pennsylvania, by 20 pins in the two-game match. The final score: 1,713 to 1,693.
“The best part of the NSL national championship, besides the outstanding Wii bowling, was the excitement of having two great senior communities from different parts of the country facing off head-to-head via webcams,” says Dennis Berkholtz, founder of the Atlanta-based National Senior League (NSL). “Our goal was to create a truly interactive and engaging national title chase that included teams from across the [United States].”
About 180 teams of older adults, representing more than 24 states, bowled weekly from October 19 through November 23 in a quest to make the national tournament playoffs. NSL plans to host multiple national Wii Bowl and Wii Golf leagues in 2010. Information is available at www.nslgames.com.
Grassroots initiative receives grant to expand network
Millions of older Americans will have more choice and opportunity for remaining in their homes and staying connected to their communities as a result of a $250,000 MetLife Foundation grant to NCB Capital Impact to launch the Village to Village Network (“VtV Network”) with its partner Beacon Hill Village. The funds will go towards expanding a peer-to-peer network aimed at helping communities establish and manage “villages” that help older adults age in place.
Among other things, the VtV Network will:
• allow villages to connect to each other and help new villages get started
• create a national online portal for villages to exchange knowledge and access tools and resources
• provide access experts to help communities adopt the village model, including low-income communities
• convene a national conference to promote growth of the village model
“This program will be a real world, practical application of an aging-in-community model that can be customized for any community, including those that are underserved,” says Dennis White, president of MetLife Foundation. Information can be found at www.vtvnetwork.org.
Community to hold second annual marathon
On April 10, Garden Spot Village retirement community in New Holland, Pennsylvania, will hold the second running of its annual marathon. The full USA Track & Field (USATF)-certified, Boston Marathon qualifier course starts near the community’s Legacy Garden and winds through Amish farmlands before looping back to the 104-acre campus. This year, participants may choose a half-marathon course if they prefer, and four-person relay teams and walkers are welcome. The marathon is one of the community’s wellness initiatives. Details are posted online at www.gardenspotvillagemarathon.org.
