Senior Living Communities Recognized as ‘Best of the Best’ for aquatic therapy program

May 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Senior Living Communities, an owner and operator of 11 luxury retirement communities located throughout the Southeast, will receive a "Best of the Best" award this week at the 2010 Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) Annual Conference.  The award recognizes the company’s WAVES program, an innovative, aquatics-based therapy program designed to alleviate symptoms associated with memory loss.  

The program is being implemented as part of a larger, person-centered initiative designed to improve quality of life for members living in one of the company’s memory care buildings.  Best of the Best awards awards are given to companies which “raise the bar” for operational excellence, and this year ALFA received the most applications the contest has seen to date.

CEO Donald Thompson says WAVES is just one example of how Senior Living Communities is establishing itself as an industry leader.

"We believe we can deliver better outcomes for our members and that despite cognitive impairments, everyone can get better and improve their quality of life,” Thompson said.  “This award is a culmination of our daily efforts to exceed expectations for our members, and we are honored to be included in a group of industry leaders who are working to change the landscape of health care across the nation.”

WAVES combines low-impact aerobics with the therapeutic benefits of warm water to reduce agitation, increase appetite and improve sleeping patterns for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.  The program has been featured in several industry publications such as The Journal on Active Aging, Assisted Living Executive and Provider magazine.

Although Senior Living Communities offers a variety of aquatic programs for all members in conjunction with its wellness program, the company is among the first in the nation to extend its offerings to members needing a heavier standard of care.  

In preparation for the program’s launch, caregivers participated in on-site training sessions before actually entering the water with members.

By combining the familiar faces of their caregivers with low-impact exercise, Vice President of Member Services Kelly Stranburg says residents benefit from increased activity.  

“WAVES offers a host of benefits for our memory-care residents,” Stranburg said. “An increase in activity helps promote emotional well-being and a sense of personal accomplishment while improving appetite, reducing stress and helping them get a great night’s sleep.”

WAVES is one of a list of initiatives all 11 Senior Living Communities will implement as they focus on delivering person-centered care to all community members.  Person-centered care includes operational changes and increased activity offerings for assisted-living, memory-care and skilled-care members which preserve members’ dignity, enhance their quality of life and make them feel at-home in their surroundings.

Thompson is confident programs such as WAVES will go a long way in changing the way caregivers develop activities for members suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  

“What we are trying to do is much more than adding an activity to our event calendar,” Thompson said. “We’re changing mindsets and breaking ground on a new standard of care, bringing us one step closer to nurturing the person, not the disease.”

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Senior Living Communities, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., owns and operates 11 luxury retirement communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The company's focus is to help residents live longer, healthier and happier lives.