Leading Age - January/February 2011 - 15

promotes independence and growth. The approach evaluates individuals’ wellness using a lifestyle inventory, then offers guidance toward healthy choices. Coaching, goal-setting and peer support are important elements in the process. Data from the inventory also enable the organization to measure, track and improve outcomes. Organizations designate a lifestyle coordinator to be the focal point for implementation. The coordinator and key staff receive initial training from Masterpiece Living, and then they train the rest of their organization. The training emphasizes that every employee plays a role in promoting wellness during daily interactions. Masterpiece Living was developed by Larry Landry and is guided by a national advisory board. The board includes members of the MacArthur Foundation Study of Successful Aging and aging experts from academic and health centers. Organizations become Masterpiece Living Communities through a licensing agreement based on the number of residences in the community. Assessment: Masterpiece Living’s lifestyle inventory consists of three parts, which participants complete annually. Two can be filled out online or as a written questionnaire. These include the lifestyle review—which looks at intellectual stimulation, spiritual growth, physical health and social connectivity—and a health risk assessment designed by the Mayo Clinic.

For the third part, a mobility review, participants meet with a staff person who assesses their gait and balance. In total, it takes about an hour to complete a lifestyle inventory and enter it into the software. Feedback for residents or clients: Once a lifestyle inventory is entered, the software automatically generates a personalized feedback report. Participants bring their report to a smallgroup meeting led by a trained lifestyle coach, who can be a staff member or peer. Collaboratively, group members come up with individual goals for the year and identify strategies for reaching them. The lifestyle coordinator provides ongoing support by checking in with participants and linking them with resources. Feedback for the organization: Masterpiece Living provides an annual report comparing each organization’s outcomes with national normative data. The report also analyzes that information in relation to the goals and desires of the organization’s residents or clients. Additionally, organizations become part of the Masterpiece Living Network, which consists of key staff from member organizations. Through networking opportunities, they exchange ideas for implementing the approach.
Michele Hayunga is a writer who lives in Eldersburg, Md.

OCCUPANCY IMPACTS YOUR ENTIRE BUSINESS. SO SHOULD YOUR MARKETING SOLUTIONS.
Changes in occupancy, up or down, can have a tremendous effect on revenue, the lifeblood of your community. GlynnDevins provides insights and solutions that will positively impact your business faster. Every strategy, every idea, every tool, and every tactic is developed speciﬁcally to engage senior consumers, build relationships, close sales and increase occupancy. Want to get started today?
MARKETING CONSULTATION CREATIVE PR / SOCIAL MEDIA DIGITAL / SEARCH

913.491.0600 | GLYNNDEVINS.COM

COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING

OCCUPANCY SOLUTIONS

LeadingAge magazine | January/February 2011

Leading Age - January/February 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Leading Age - January/February 2011