Beatitudes Community

Reports of My Leaving are Greatly Exaggerated

To deliberately misquote Mark Twain – ‘the reports of my leaving the campus are greatly exaggerated’! I am however happy to share with you that I shall be taking short periods away from my usual schedule to take part in the 2022 LeadingAge Leadership Academy. A number of other campus staff members are alumni of this same program, and I’m very excited to take part myself. Over the coming year the academy cohort will meet communities both similar and different to our own, as well as online, sharing our own experiences whilst we delve into the various ways (and contexts) in which best practices of leadership can be applied to real-world settings within and outside of the field of aging services.

And yes… there will be homework to complete as well! In preparing my application for the program I was asked to write a brief account of my thoughts on the current perception of communities such as our campus, as well as my vision for how to develop and build upon the strong foundations which have stood us in good stead for almost 60 years. Seen as I was writing about you, I think its only fair to share a small portion of what I wrote; ‘…I suspect that if one were to ask the average person in the street what life is like in a retirement community that the words such as sleepy, boring and death would be found amongst the responses – whereas a more accurate description would include the words LifeLong Learning, community, choice and living!’

Growing in experience and understanding of how to expand upon that reality and dispel those conceptions is at the heart of the LeadingAge organization, and our campus life together, and so I look forward to returning home with tales to tell and experiences to share. But I shall be coming back.. and in fact I doubt you’ll notice that I’m gone.

State of the Campus – August 22nd

We continue testing all staff weekly and unvaccinated staff twice a week. So far, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have administered over 16,000 tests for COVID-19. That’s a lot of nose-swabbing! This week, we have three Independent Living staff who tested positive for COVID-19 and are still in quarantine. We have no residents who have notified us that they are positive. Gratefully, all the staff and residents who have tested positive during this latest surge of COVID-19 infections have or are recovering.

State of the Campus – Jan. 8

At our regularly scheduled mass testing on Monday, January 4, 315 staff were tested for COVID-19 and all were negative except four (1% positivity rate). This week, we have had several residents and staff recover from COVID-19, and we are thankful for their return to health. We are reporting 70 cases of COVID-19 among staff and residents.

LeadingAge Arizona Volunteer of the Year—Leroy Calbom

To serve others, one must be able to connect and listen. To serve others, one must show compassion and humility. To serve others, one must have vision alongside determination and hard work. All of these characteristics distinguish Leroy’s service and involvement in projects within our campus community and in projects benefiting the greater community and neighbors living near Beatitudes Campus.

These were the opening words of our very own Leroy Calbom’s nomination for Volunteer of the Year Award. For those who know him, you know this is so true! It was my absolute honor to be the emcee of the LeadingAge Arizona Awards Luncheon on May 24th and present the well-deserved award to Leroy!

As a past employee and now a resident, Leroy wanted to know more about the neighborhood and how he and the campus community could serve them. Through the Studio, he encouraged other residents to join him in meeting with the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Police Department, Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging and local neighborhood schools, churches and neighborhood associations to find out more. What emerged was that there were many intergenerational refugee families living within a short distance of the campus. When Leroy heard about this, he led a group of fellow residents and sprang into action. He met with the Mosaic Elder Refugee Program at the Area Agency on Aging, became a certified ELA (English Language Arts) instructor and persuaded his fellow residents and neighbors to join him. He persuaded me and other campus leaders to dedicate a room to hold ELA classes for refugee families, and further persuaded the campus leadership to use the campus bus to pick up refugees to bring them to class and take them back to their home. That’s the thing about Leroy – his quiet, unassuming demeanor is a powerful instrument of intentional leadership.

The ELA classes are embedded here at the campus. When Leroy was asked why he did this he responded with “Because they are us. Their story is our story. We are a nation of immigrants and immigrants are part of America’s founding story. Immigrants share the very values we hold dear – work hard, practice your faith, love your family and love this country.”

Please join the campus community on Wednesday, June 5th as we celebrate Leroy and his award during the monthly Town Hall meeting!

Community Town Hall Recap – June 2017

Rev. David W. Ragan, Sr. VP of Resident Services

David Ragan (@dragan), Sr. Vice President of Independent Living opened the meeting at 2:15PM with a forecast of truly melting weather.  Close to 100 residents braved the heat to attend the meeting and find out “what’s new” at Beatitudes Campus.  There were no new residents at the meeting, but David intends to corral all the new residents in September and bring them to the meeting.

First on the agenda was a heartwarming story of a grandmother who could not afford the birthday cake her little granddaughter had picked out at the grocery store.  The young man in line behind them bought the cake and convinced the grandmother to accept it as he had been the recipient of a similar kindness when he was seven years old.  When the little girl showed her grandfather the cake and a message that the young man had given her, it became apparent that the grandfather was the man who had bought the cake for the seven year old boy many years ago. The story summed up by saying that a simple act of care creates an endless circle.

Or as David put it—you never know what impact the little things you do today might have and the blessings that come back to you in so many ways.

Remember the Welcome Coffee coming up this month on Wednesday, June 28th at 2:00PM in the Life Center.  Come and meet your new neighbors!

Michelle Just (@mjust), President and CEO, complimented Mim Hoover (@mimhoover) and Dosia Carlson (@dosiacarlaol-com) (pictured at right) on the wonderful job they did in their Lifelong Learning Program Workshop at the Annual Meeting of LeadingAge Arizona, an organization of not-for-profit senior living communities.  They were the only resident presenters at the meeting, and their presentation generated interest in starting similar programs at other communities.  Michelle also celebrated two awards that were presented to Beatitudes Campus by LeadingAge Arizona. The first was for Innovation in Environmental Design and it went to Patty’s Garden, the healing garden honoring and named for Harriet Ivy’s mother. Beatitudes Campus  was fortunate to be chosen to receive funding for this garden.  Tena Alonzo (@talonzo), Director of Comfort Matters, noted that the garden provides a sensory experience for residents who may not think like they once did, but retain their feelings. The garden has a positive impact on their quality of life. It was built using solar power, LED’s, low water usage, color that does not attract bees and overall low maintenance. The second award went to the Success Matters Program, led by Jessica Meyer (@jmeyer), Director, and Josephine Levy (@jlevy), Resource Navigator. There is nothing else like this program in our peer group here in the Valley.  The program seeks to keep residents independent as long as possible and make the most of each resident’s individual potential.  They strive to make each resident’s quality of life as great as possible, and perhaps make life greater than when the resident moved to our community. Mim Hoover said she was given the confidence to feel that she could still do things as well as feel that life is still good. Michelle asked that residents join her in celebrating the Success Matters and Comfort Matters teams.  She is incredibly proud of these two Innovation Awards.  Congratulations also go to Tara Bethell (@tbethell),  Sr. Vice-President of Human Resources and Risk Management, who was named to the Class of 2017 Forty Under Forty by the Phoenix Business Journal. She finished in the top ten!!

Herb Komnick, Residents Council President

Herb Komnick (@hkomnick), President of the Residents Council, reported on the May Residents Council Meeting.  David Ragan welcomed everyone to the meeting, congratulated the Lifelong Learning Program and announced that Mim Hoover and Dosia Carlson would be speaking at the Arizona LeadingAge Workshop, and Success Matters is receiving the Innovative Health and Wellness Program Award.  The Security-focused Town Hall was a success with residents learning firsthand about emergency procedures here on campus. Holleran 2017 Resident Engagement Surveys should have been completed and turned in between May 12th and May 27th. The Community Channel is now available to all residents on channel 1966. Pat Dellisanti, Dining Services Committee Chairman, announced the Luau which was held on June 8th as part of the Marketing Program. New menus are being prepared for the Health Care Center, Plaza View and Buckwald’s. A Lifelong Learner’s class will be offered to include kitchen tours. Sunday Pizza will return when the football season arrives. Barbara Carpenter, Interim Chairman of the Employee Appreciation Committee, outlined several Committee activities including letters to new residents, all residents, groups who use campus facilities and friends of the campus; relocated Tip Boxes; possibly adding a statement on menus; and a dinner being planned for August 17th. Gerald Roseberry, Environment Committee Chairperson, reported that leak testing for all resident buildings except Plaza View and the Health Care Center has been completed with the information provided to Scott Mardian (@smardian). Roger Benson, Facilities Committee Chairman submitted a report stating that Mitch Bradshaw (@mbradshaw) had been informed of complaints about the area around the dumpster at the Northeast corner of the campus. Roger was advised that vehicle traffic between Central Park North and the Garden Apartments was necessary for resident moves and appliances stored in the Garden Apartments. Kim Shull, Grounds Manager and Color Coordinator, has resigned.  Residents are requested to help keep the campus looking neat by straightening chairs, etc., that are disarranged and calling in work orders for any obvious problems they observe. There was no unfinished business.  Under New Business, a motion to appoint Sue Lefebvre as Parliamentarian was approved; the Holleran Resident Engagement Survey forms were given to Council members for distribution; and Don Tamuty reported he had received a request to keep the 17th Drive gate open for a longer period of time during the summertime (Herb reported that since the meeting, he has been informed that because of Security concerns, this request was denied.) Bette Henriques, Senior Area Representative for Central Park North and Patio Homes; Don Tamuty, Senior Area Representative for Plaza South; and Sybil Eppinger, Senior Area Representative for Central Park South reported on the various activities that have taken place and those that are planned for their buildings.  Residents asked questions concerning window washing, use of plastic bags in dining venues, recycling procedures, and locating recycling containers near dining venues.  Jeremy was complimented on his excellent work in emptying the recycling bins.  Residents were reminded not to feed the feral cats.  The next Residents Council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 14th in the Luther Life Center at 2:00PM.

Rod Bailey,
SVP of Sales & Marketing

Rod Bailey (@rbaileybeatitudescampus-org), Sr. Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, reviewed the referral award program in which residents can earn up to $3,750 for bringing new residents to the campus—people who have not been in the system or contacted previously.  He also unveiled a new summer program that will be available through September 30th.  Residents who just fill out a referral card will receive a dinner for two at Buckwald’s.  If the referral card results in a move-in, the resident will receive three different dinners for four at Elaine’s Fine Dining in addition to the monetary award.

Congratulations were extended to Michelle Just for being elected to the Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. The Beatitudes is the only senior living organization that has a presence at the Chamber.

Ruth Crowley, Residents Council Chairman of Health and Wellness Committee

Ruth Crowley, Chairman of the Health and Wellness Committee, noted that the response had been so positive in the spring that three additional workshops have been planned to expand on the topics presented earlier.  The first workshop, “What’s in Plaza View” was held on Thursday, June 15th at 3:00PM in the Life Center.  Cheryl Knupp, Sr. Vice-President of Health Services, and her team from Plaza View, focused on assisted living at Beatitudes.  It was suggested that you review your contract with Beatitudes prior to the meeting so presenters can provide more specific information in answer to your questions.  In July, a workshop on Dementia and Skilled Nursing is planned, and in August there will be a workshop about the services available in independent living to help residents stay in their apartments when health issues arise.

Jessica Meyer, Director of Success Matters at Beatitudes Campus

Jessica Meyer (@jmeyer) announced that the Success Matters team is hosting a farewell for Rich and Mitch.  They will be finishing their clinical rotation on June 23rd and residents can thank them for their contribution to the Beatitudes and wish them well in the Bistro on June 22nd from 12:00 to 1:00PM.  Free cake as well!

Jon Schilling, Director of Life Enrichment at Beatitudes Campus

Jon Schilling (@jschilling) advised that planning is underway for the 2017 Active Aging Week. Residents interested in helping plan for this event should contact Jon at x10333.  Jon reported that Anthony Farias, formerly in Transportation, is now working as a Life Enrichment Specialist in the Health Care Center.  Jon reminded residents to bring suggestions for activities on campus and off campus to the Life Enrichment Committee.  The Life Enrichment Team does their best to make things happen for residents. Mike Smallwood (@msmallwood), Fitness Specialist, provided a fitness report on the BrainSavers Class which is in the 6th week of the 12 week Quarter.  Mike has made some significant adjustments to the program and has received positive feedback from the residents.  Angie Moore, Manager of the Program, observed the class last week and approved of the adjustments that were made to accommodate the needs of seniors.  The second Quarter is scheduled to start the 1st week in August.  Starting Monday, June 12th and continuing through October, there will be Indoor Morning Walks in the Life CenterResidents were reminded of the importance of staying hydrated during these hot summer days.  Residents were also reminded of the many fitness classes available, including Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Zumba Gold, Zumba Exercises, Memory Maker Yoga as well as Fitness Foundations, Functional Fitness, Water Exercise and Sit and Be Fit. The June B-Fit Winner of a $50 gift card is Tom Denny.  Winners have not been present at many of the Town Hall Meetings, and Mike suggested that you might have a better chance of winning if you don’t come to Town Hall!

Monica De La Rosa, Life Enrichment Specialist

Monica De La Rosa (@mdelarosa), Life Enrichment Specialist, reminded residents that there are suggestion boxes in the Life Center Lobby and the Information Station in the Plaza Bistro.  Please use them to call attention to events, performers and off campus activities that are of interest to residents. Wednesday, July 5th is the last day to sign up for the Wednesday, July 26th baseball game between the Diamondbacks and the Braves.

New menus for Buckwald’s, Plaza View, and Elaine’s Fine Dining will be out in July. Look for the changes on the Community Channel, in the restaurants and in the Roadrunner. David assured residents that hot dogs and baked potatoes will not be taken off the menu.  Apparently, keeping them available was a lesson learned the hard way.

David noted that the Beatitudes Auxiliary Backstreet Boutique is in need of volunteers who can help in the Furniture Annex, moving furniture, etc.  The Annex plans to reopen in September.  Talk to your children, grandchildren and friends about this rewarding volunteer activity.

The Community Channel #1960 is now available across the Campus.  Make sure you tune in and see what is going on.  Through this Channel, residents will receive updates on last minute changes as well as ongoing information in an emergency.  If you have input to make the channel better, let David or Korry Nelson (@knelson) (x18493) know about it.

There will be a Hootenanny every Wednesday night, beginning at 5:45PM. Tell your neighbors and enjoy the enthusiastic music.  It’s free!  Wednesday, June 20th, from 2:00 to 4:00PM in the Bistro, enjoy another freebie, a frozen yogurt sundae.  Just come for the treat or share your thoughts with Dave every third Community Wednesday.

David reminded residents to take staying hydrated seriously, and to have a great June.  He looks forward to seeing residents at all of the events.  There will be no Town Hall in July and the next Town Hall will be held at 2:00PM in the Luther Life Center on August 2nd.

Advocacy Action Alert: Save Medicaid

It is critical that Senators Flake and McCain hear from all of us! I ask that you share the information above and encourage them to oppose changing Medicaid to block grants or per capita caps when our senior population across the nation is rapidly growing. It is the wrong policy at the wrong time.

Points of Pride

Empowered power.

Dosia Carlson & Mim Hoover

Some of the most powerful people I know are living right here at Beatitudes Campus.  I stand back in awe of how, when asked to take responsibility for some aspect of our community’s growth, a vision that once seemed grand soon pales in comparison to what the resident(s) actually create.  A few weeks back, at the Arizona LeadingAge Conference (an organization that unites non-profit communities like ours), there was a powerful exhibition of purpose, power and empowerment – and it was by our very own Beatitudes Center for Lifelong Learners.

Dosia Carlson and Mim Hoover, with the help of Nell Bennett, who was not able to be present, put together a presentation, aptly titled, Success Story.  It wowed the administrators from the other communities who sat in on their workshop.  In the workshop, the participants learned how, when residents in a community like ours, are given a task to create, that the sky becomes the only limit, far surpassing what any one staff person could ever create or do.  The resident-run, Lifelong Learners Team, have created, not only a success story of a program in terms of number of participants and diversity of class options, but have impacted the lives of almost all those who participate and  have been given a sense of purpose in creating excellence.

As I said at the beginning, we have not a resident on Campus who is not gifted with immense power and talent.  The true sign of a successful community is how capable is it in empowering its members to be free to use their gifts toward the betterment of the entire community.  The ultimate job of administration in a community like ours is to facilitate the freedom to excel, and clear the path for creativity and ingenuity for any resident ready to take our community even further toward our goal.

I can testify for our administration that few things are    more gratifying than seeing our residents work together with us to accomplish great  things, making our community innovative and on the cutting edge of our field.  More and more of you are taking leadership roles and bringing great transformation to us with visions and ideas that we as staff would never come up with.  To just name a few –  the Environment Committee, the Garden Club, the Recycling Program, our English Language Assistance program, the resident’s Life Enrichment Team who plan our outings and activities and that is just the beginning.

You are leaders and models for senior communities, and I thank you for being a point of pride (and also for letting us boast a bit to our competitors) when it comes to residents with power and purpose lived out.

Grit and Determination

On Super Bowl Sunday recently, I was watching the pre-game ceremonies, enjoying some of the tremendous promotion and frankly, “hype.” It’s rather astonishing that over $400 million has been spent by companies on Super Bowl ads and that $14.1 billion will be spend by Americans on Super Bowl related activities. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching a good football game and the ultimate in that genre is today. By the time you read this, the outcome will have come and gone, but as of this moment, it’s still up in the air. What I do know is that it all seems very important. Companies from Skittles to Buick to Mr. Clean to Budweiser (with a nod to the ghost of “Spuds” McKenzie) are banking much of their upcoming year of sales on today. And that is, of course, pretty significant—but it’s pretty rarified air for most of us.

In the world in which generally most of us are living, we seek a day to day value to that daily living. We’re not in the Super Bowl, but we’re certainly running a race toward what may be the real question. I was reading recently about an event held every other year in which athletes aged 50 and older, from all around the country, gather in a new city for the National Senior Games. Athletes compete at state competitions in events including golf, swimming and track and field for a chance to ultimately strut their stuff in a national competition. It’s not the Super Bowl—but it’s probably more relevant to many of us.

Recently, luxury fitness chain, Equinox, spotlighted a few of this year’s athletes in its editorial publication, Furthermore—and the author of the piece I was reading, wrote, “their stories left us feeling oh-so inspired (read: super ready to get back on track with those New Year’s resolutions that have since fallen by the wayside).” He’s got that right. Read what a few of them had to say and check out the ages.

Fitness doesn’t have to be complicated.

“The mailbox is about 100 meters from the house, so I don’t walk to the mailbox. I run,” says Norman Meeker, 88, who will compete in the 400- and 800-meter dashes. “We also go dancing once a week.”

The way you start your day changes everything.

“I get up in the morning and stretch the body for 15 minutes,” says Norman’s wife, 89-year-old Misako Meeker, who will compete in the discus event. “Instead of getting up or staying in bed, I stretch. I do that for 15 to 20 minutes every day, no question.”

It pays to listen to that encouraging little voice inside your head.

“When I first saw the list of events [back in November 2002], I said to myself, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve never done any of this!'” says Joann Sampson, 76, who now competes in the 50- and 100-meter dash events. “A voice said to me, ‘You can do this.’ So, I’ve learned to listen to the soft voice now that speaks to you because that voice normally is the right voice to listen to.”

On March 1st, a group of 13 senior athletes from Beatitudes Campus will be competing in the 3rd annual LeadingAgeAz Fitness Challenge at North Phoenix Baptist Church. I have been given the privilege of being a part the event once again. I have to tell you that every year I feel a little more proud—and maybe a little more chagrined about my own lack of attention to that little voice when I see our residents pushing themselves to excel in the events of the day, doing just that—hearing their brains say “you can do this.” I can’t wait to see inspiring seniors from throughout Arizona showing us that all of the grit and determination isn’t just at the Super Bowl.

Speaking of the Super Bowl—in the most stunning upset in Super Bowl history, New England prevailed over the Falcons, leaving many wide-eyed and a little speechless.

Regardless of who anyone wanted to win, no one can deny that “never give up” spirit—the voice obviously awake in many of the Patriots players that kept saying “you can do this.” So—good lessons all around for us; the inspiration of the pros and the motivation of our indomitable seniors—I love them both but, as you might imagine, I really am most impressed with the grit and determination I see every day on this campus. Go, Beatitudians! You are my heroes!

 

 

Photo Caption: Melvin Larsen running the 100 meter dash during the National Senior Games

The “Grit Scale”

It was my great privilege and pleasure to attend the national LeadingAge conference last week in Indianapolis, Indiana. There were more than 6,500 like-minded professionals there to listen, learn, share best practices and validate many of the ideas and programs about what makes senior living the career that I love. It was incredibly valuable for me to hear about how other life plan communities are approaching social media, their “digital profile” and how they are creating new formulas for more successful senior living. I was particularly impressed with listening to Dr. Angela Duckworth talk about the subject of “grit.” Do you remember that movie—True Grit? At the time, we knew that John Wayne was the essence of what our folks had told us it took to get through tough times and last through the challenges. But that was a western—and a movie. Plenty of you have had to demonstrate real life “true grit” to succeed in careers, raise children, sustain through hard economic times and persevere when family has passed away or maybe passed us by.

Before she was a psychology professor, Angela Duckworth taught math in middle school and high school. She spent a lot of time thinking about something that might seem obvious: The students who tried hardest did the best, and the students who didn’t try very hard didn’t do very well. Duckworth wanted to know: What is the role of effort in a person’s success?

Now Duckworth is an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and her research focuses on a personality trait she calls “grit.” She defines grit as “sticking with things over the very long term until you master them.” In a paper, she writes that “the gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina.”

I found that very interesting in light of what I know from many seniors over the years of my profession about how they have succeeded in spite of anything and everything. Many of you here on the Beatitudes Campus have been educators, and skilled professionals with life’s ups and downs—challenges, joys, highs and lows. And you are here—you got through it all with aplomb and became heroes to admirers like me.

Duckworth’s research suggests that when it comes to high achievement, grit may be as essential as intelligence. That’s a significant finding because for a long time, intelligence was considered the key to success.

Intelligence “is probably the best-measured trait that there is in all of human psychology,” says Duckworth. “We know how to measure intelligence in a matter of minutes.”

But intelligence leaves a lot unexplained. There are smart people who aren’t high achievers, and there are people who achieve a lot without having the highest test scores. In one study, Duckworth found that smarter students actually had less grit than their peers who scored lower on an intelligence test. This finding suggests that, among the study participants (all students at an Ivy League school) people who are not as bright as their peers “compensate by working harder and with more determination.” And their effort pays off: The grittiest students—not the smartest ones—had the highest GPAs.

Duckworth went on to tell us about her “Grit Scale.” Someday I think we’ll form a lifelong learners class solely dedicated to this very interesting measurement and topic.

Duckworth has developed a test called the “Grit Scale.” You rate yourself on a series of 8 to 12 items. Two examples: “I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge” and “Setbacks don’t discourage me.” It’s entirely self-reported, so you could game the test, and yet what Duckworth has found is that a person’s grit score is highly predictive of achievement under challenging circumstances.

At the elite United States Military Academy, West Point, a cadet’s grit score was the best predictor of success in the rigorous summer training program known as “Beast Barracks.” Grit mattered more than intelligence, leadership ability or physical fitness. This time of the year, I think of the more than 100 veterans who live on this campus and I see the result of authentic grit.

At the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the grittiest contestants were the most likely to advance to the finals — at least in part because they studied longer, not because they were smarter or were better spellers.

Here’s a very interesting dichotomy. The charter schools which have really taken hold here in Arizona have succeeded in providing strong academic preparation. Most of their students go to college. Yet the students graduate from college at lower rates than would be expected based on their academic preparation.

The charter schools want to know why that is. Angela Duckworth wants to know if grit has anything to do with it.

These are complicated questions, and the answers aren’t in yet. I suspect that there are a number of things to think about before jumping to the conclusion that students who don’t finish college aren’t gritty. What I do know is that whenever I need a little grit boosting infusion, I go to the Bistro and engage in conversation with some of the grittiest people I know—you inspire, you teach, you gently coax me with sometimes praise, sometimes suggestions, sometimes just pure friendship.

I would love for us to focus on the populace here at Beatitudes Campus with that “grit spotlight” and really examine the factors that led to success in spite of what many of you have disclosed were significantly tough times through careers, family rearing and economic challenges. I believe there is much to be learned from each other and I am so glad that we hold that as a core value here—life-long learning that inspires, challenges and sustains. We are indeed so rich when we allow each other in the fellowship that so obviously thrives on this campus.

By the way, we’ve had enough grit to wait through the process of our First Impressions/Operation Welcome upgrades to finally play out. All of the new furniture, accessories and case goods will be delivered to campus on December 7th – 9th. It will be quite a “ballet” as we move existing items around, send some to the Backstreet Boutique and retire other pieces. Thanks for hanging in there as we have worked through the process!

Congratulations – Cheryl Knupp

Congratulations to Cheryl Knupp, senior vice president of health services, for graduating from the National LeadingAge Leadership Academy at the annual meeting in Indianapolis. Her year long experience included personal and professional reflection, site visits to other aging services providers and an action learning project which you will hear more about in the coming month. Cheryl joins a network of 300 other academy alumni fellows within LeadingAge  association, two of which are Campus leaders.

cherylcheryl-graduation

Be Bold, Claim Old!

That title caught your attention, didn’t it?

That is the name of a campaign started by a colleague of mine in North Carolina. It is her action learning project for LeadingAge Leadership Academy, an executive leadership program within our national association of not-for-profit aging services organizations. This is the same program in which I had an opportunity to participate with in 2008, Jon Schilling completed in 2014, and Cheryl Knupp is currently participating in. The action learning project is an important aspect of the curriculum, designed to influence change and help advance innovative programs and practices, by implementing a specific program or practice within their own organization.

Be Bold, Claim Old was recently highlighted in a LeadingAge webinar and is now an exhibit as part of the Age of Disruption tour. The national tour is a social movement bringing communities a new and highly disruptive understanding of aging. The premise of Be Bold, Claim Old is simple; fight ageism by sparking a new way of thinking about old in a society that inherited a cultural value that youth is the gold standard and anything that does not appear young is less valued. Amy, the campaign creator, is working with residents in her community to take the Be Bold, Claim Old campaign to their broader community.

Now, you are probably wondering why I would write about this topic. I’m preaching to the choir-you are all well aware that age is just a number! Look at the amazing programs, projects, and events you all create, implement, and hold. Just last week we celebrated Earth Week with a whole series of events! And everyone who steps foot on this campus sees the vitality that exists here and it changes their view of aging and what goes on behind the walls of communities like ours.

During our new employee orientation, I have the opportunity to talk to our new staff members about our mission, vision, and core values. We also have a long conversation about society’s views of aging, as well as their own views of aging. The typical stereotypes usually come up in the conversation and I, or better yet, a new employee who has already worked a few shifts on Campus, have an opportunity to dispel the myths by lifting up examples of your lives. That is the rewarding work. As they experience it, they pass it on to others.

With this, the cultural shift continues and we each get to play a role in this important work. Keep spreading the message Be Bold, Claim Old!

As I close, join me in celebrating one of our very boldest….Happy 104th Birthday, Vicky Moe!

If you would like to learn more about Be Bold, Claim Old or the Age Disruption tour, you can find more information at the following links:

What’s in a Name?

What’s in a name? The founders of Beatitudes Campus thought a lot about the name of the campus fifty years ago. At first, the campus was called “North Congregational Retirement Home,” paying tribute to our roots. But, within a few years, they decided that the name just didn’t fit this active community and wasn’t descriptive enough. Our residents and our grounds seemed more like a college than a “retirement home.” Our residents were active, social and lifelong learners. After much reflection, our name was changed to Beatitudes Campus to reflect the lifestyle and the purpose.

Namestorm-Ledger LeadingAge, the national membership organization for not-for-profit continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) like Beatitudes Campus, has embarked on an initiative to find a new name for a continuing care retirement community—one that actually resonates who we are. According to Larry Minnix, president and CEO of LeadingAge, “It’s about the ‘R’ word – retirement – and the ‘C’ word – care.” These two words and the perceptions surrounding them are the reason LeadingAge is spearheading an effort to develop a new name for a continuing care retirement community.

Continuing care retirement communities like Beatitudes Campus are different from other senior living options because they combine an active and robust community where you can live independently with additional services available should the need arise. Yet, the name that we have been using to describe communities—Continuing Care Retirement Community – focuses mostly on care. We want to develop a name that focuses more on the unique living experiences that we have.

Beatitudes Campus residents, families and staff have been chosen by LeadingAge to help in this initiative, called “CCRC NameStorm.” LeadingAge is asking that our residents complete a short, 10-minute survey and be part of shaping the future of CCRCs. The survey is anonymous. It will ask a few general questions and will give you 11 different names and will ask you some questions about each name. The website address for the survey is www.researching.com/namestorm. We encourage you to complete the survey online, either on your own computer or in the Computer Lab on Tuesday the 10th or Thursday the 12th from 10 to 11:00AM. We will have volunteers there to help you complete the survey. We have a very limited number (about 40) paper surveys available at the Welcome Center.

I encourage all of you to participate. Your ideas and input on the survey will spark a new conversation about living as an older adult. Your input will help determine what name best describes the expanding possibilities that can be experienced in a CCRC.

Watch the Community Channel or look for flyers for more specific information about the survey. Thank you for participating in this most important endeavor.