“We are thrilled to be able to commemorate this milestone with our soon-to-be residents,” said Stephen A. Yenchek, President and CEO of Friendship Senior Options, parent company and sponsor of GreenFields of Geneva. “We are finalizing the financing that allows us to get construction equipment moving. In approximately a year-and-a-half, we’ll celebrate again as we welcome residents to their beautiful new apartment homes and start delivering the first-class lifestyle they are anticipating from us.”

“The green certification exemplifies AgeSong’s commitment to creating nature-friendly, healing environments,” says Nader Shabahangi, Ph.D., founder and CEO of AgeSong. “This distinction, the first of its kind in our industry, reflects our overall commitment to respecting and preserving nature and the surrounding community, while improving the quality of services for our residents at the same time.”

As the first assisted living community to earn the GRA’s certification, AgeSong at Lakeside Park leads the trend toward adopting sustainable practices in senior living communities. To achieve certification, AgeSong exceeded the minimum of 100 points in six of seven environmental categories, by implementing the following changes:

· Increasing vegan and vegetarian menu items

· Using non-toxic cleaning chemicals

· Implementing a full-scale recycling and composting program

· Replacing plastic cutlery with a bio-based alternative made from potato starch

· Sourcing napkins that are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste

· Installing energy efficient kitchen equipment and lighting

“We’re thrilled to have helped AgeSong be successful in greening their foodservice operation,” says Michael Oshman, founder and chief executive officer of the Green Restaurant Association. “We commend them for being leaders in the assisted living industry and we look forward to helping them continue to make even more environmental changes in years to come.”

For the summary, click here.

"We have recently made a commitment to fostering a brain healthy lifestyle at our communities and in our offices and believe that by adding games we can help to make brain health fun and easy, in order to encourage individuals to incorporate brain health activities into their everyday lives," commented Jayne Sallerson, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Emeritus Senior Living. "By adding brain health games to our website, we are reminding our residents, their families, our employees, and all of our site visitors about the importance of brain health and providing an additional tool that will allow people of all ages to keep their brains fit and healthy."

Classic Residence by Hyatt, a national developer, owner and manager of quality senior living communities, unveiled its new company brand name, Vi (pronounced VEE). Classic Residence by Hyatt’s continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) will be branded as Vi, while rental communities will change their names to Classic Residence, a Vi Community. The name change will take place throughout the summer and leadership, management and day-to-day operations of the company and all of the communities remain unchanged.  The new name, derived from vida – the latin word for life, represents life and the opportunity for a better quality of life in the communities the company operates according to the announcement.

“Our new identity reflects what our communities are all about — health, happiness and vitality,” commented Randal J. Richardson, President of Vi. “In addition, the name Vi captures the environment and experience we offer residents, and signifies our continued dedication to providing communities and services that enhance the quality of our residents’ lives.”

The expectations of today’s older adults were underscored in a new study of Americans aged 65 and over commissioned by Vi. According to the Vi Next Chapter study, more than four out of five seniors (82%) feel they have “so much to look forward to” in the next chapter of life, and 83% say they “feel younger than they are.”  The Vi Next Chapter study found that 81% of Americans over 65 have a different vision of their retirement from that of their parents. Almost nine out of 10 (86%) say they want their retirement to be more exciting and more active than their parents’ retirement, while almost all (98%) say retirement “can and should be a fun experience.” Conversely, a scant 6% look to their parents’ retirement as a guide for their own future.

The specific program offered two types of rewards in the scenario:

1.  Gift Cards for CCRC Tours: Current residents and employees of the Requestor’s CCRCs who recommend their community to a prospective resident will receive a gift card, if they submit the name and contact information of the prospective resident to the CCRC; the CCRC determines that the individual is eligible to enter into a continuing care contract; and the individual tours the community within 90 days. The resident or employee is not required or asked to provide any other promotional services.

2.  Credits/Rewards for Independent Living Referrals: If the prospective resident moves into independent living at the CCRC within 12 months after the tour, the current resident who made the referral will receive a one-time credit of toward his or her monthly CCRC fee. If the referral was made by an employee, the employee will receive a check as part of his or her employment compensation.

For more information, visit Advisory Opinion 10-05 (AO).

Jeff Evans, CEO believes “by expanding and improving ILC’s physical plant, we ensure that our mission will continue to be fulfilled and maintain our position of a quality leader of senior services in Northwest Montana”.

“This Lifestyle and Services Enhancement Project grew out of research from the International Council on Active Aging and work with our HealthAbility platform,” said Scott Bushong, executive director of Inverness Village. “HealthAbility at Inverness Village is a program that focuses on physical activity, including building leg strength, balance and endurance.

“This is a perfect fit for Parc at Buckhead and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, as our focus at Parc Communities is active adult living, higher education and wellness,” adds Sally Ann Sancto, leasing specialist at Parc at Buckhead.

Providers such as Classic Residence by Hyatt are offering specific programming during the day with walking programs, exercise clinics, demonstrations, speakers and wellness classes.

“National Senior Health & Fitness Day is a big day for Classic Residence by Hyatt, one that we look forward to with great anticipation each year,” says Julie Stevens, director of lifestyle enrichment, Classic Residence by Hyatt. “The vigor and healthy outlook of our residents is inspiring—and this day provides the perfect opportunity to honor their commitment to wellness and have a lot of fun together.”

Lakeview Hall, which serves as Morningside’s community center for major events, theatrical productions, musical entertainment and dances, will double in size after the expansion.  Currently at roughly 4,500 square feet, the new building will be approximately 9,000 square feet upon completion.  The renovated Lakeview Hall will feature a larger stage area, inlaid dance floor, upgraded audio/visual equipment and additional space for classes and small group sessions.  The expansion will create a new computer lab, dedicated arts and crafts center, a lounge-style meeting room with comfortable seating, large-screened television and other amenities.

In addition, Morningside’s Wellness and Fitness Center will be enlarged to accommodate a larger fitness area, a new spa relaxation area offering facials, steam room, relaxation/meditation room, and massage rooms.  The existing lake – one of Morningside’s most outstanding amenities – will also be redesigned to feature more natural-appearing boulders and plants, two new waterfalls and enhanced landscaping.

KTGY Group Inc. of Irvine, Calif., is the architect for the project, with INTERSPEC of San Diego providing interior design services.  Culp Construction Co., based in Irvine, is the general contractor for the building expansion.  Cook & Solis Inc. of Escondido, Calif., is the contractor for the lake renovation.

• All owners and operators consistently stated that costs are 50-60% less in Mexico than in the US or Canada for physical development & final costs.  This was a consistent subject when listening to different developers in all parts of Mexico. 
• Healthcare solutions exist at various price ranges throughout the country including coverage for catastrophic emergencies depending on Visa status
• Most developments are for independent living (i.e.  homes and fractional residences)
• Proximity to Airports and Border are critical.
• Safety.  Despite the press, retirement in Mexico remains safe.  Presenters stated that the conflict exists between the druglords and the federales / police, not the retirees.
• Some developers are repositioning their properties as retirement locations rather than second home destinations.  Sales pitch is still resort lifestyle with CCRC type of amenities.
• Connectivity.  Researchers state those who are retired in Mexico today are in communication telephonically and via the Internet on a regular basis not much different than in the US.
• Medicare in Mexico.  This is the most critical part to explosive growth for retirement in Mexico.  While there are initiatives to bring Medicare from the US to Mexico, participants stated that this is a big wish.  Access to healthcare providers is top priority in those looking at retiring and those who already have retired in Mexico.

Final thoughts:  Retiring Mexico is a good alternative if you are looking for a temperate retirement, are mobile, in reasonably good health and have a sense for adventure.  There are groups of Americans retiring and living in Mexico in growing numbers so finding a community with Gringos is not out of the picture.  For development, until there is some kind of relationship between the US and Mexico for medical coverage (think NAFTA for healthcare…), Mexican retirement is a niche that is a viable alternative for a small group of American retirees.

Look for a few follow up articles from the conference focusing more specifically on segments of retiring in Mexico.

Watercrest at Mansfield

“We are thrilled that the doors of Watercrest at Mansfield are now open,” said Rick Simmons, president and CEO, Integrated Real Estate Group, developer of Watercrest at Mansfield. “The first residents are already taking advantage of the wide array of services and amenities offered by the community.”