Our Signature Programs

At Commonwealth Senior Living, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. As part of our residents’ daily lives, our award-winning Signature Programs are a key part of what makes up the Commonwealth Difference. Our engaging, daily programs give our associates the ability to get to know our residents even better through the activities that mean the most to them.

So, what exactly are these Signature Programs and how are they incorporated into our residents’ daily lives?

MyndVR

Imagine being able to revisit the street you played on as a child, from the comfort of your own home you live in as an adult. This is the beauty of the virtual reality experience for our residents. MyndVR headsets allow our residents to fly in an airplane, walk through a flower garden, or play with a room full of puppies – all from their own suite. This evidence-based technology offers the sensation of being out on an adventure, which has positive health benefits such as increased attention, improved motor skills, and orientation. Not to mention it is really fun!

Dining Delights

Dining Delights introduces unique events, coordinated by our Dining Services Team and Resident Program Directors, to our residents and families. It highlights our dining teams’ culinary skills at least once each month with a theme focused on local, regional, national, or international events. Our communities have come up with amazing ideas like jiaozi pot stickers and shamrock shakes to coordinate with our Travel the World destinations.

Eversound

Eversound is a wireless headphone system with noise-canceling technology that helps our residents focus on speakers, sound sources, and enhances small group conversations and activities. This technology has been vital in enhancing communication and engagement as well as helping residents with memory loss maintain independence through a more focused and clear mode of communication.

Farm-to-Table Dining

85% of our produce is sourced locally by 47 farms across our communities’ markets. Local produce results in more nutrient-rich meals, support to the local economy, and a smaller carbon footprint. For select communities, Farm-to-Table dining includes a Babylon Microfarm inside the dining room. Babylon is among the first of its kind in the senior living industry and is part of our commitment to providing residents with fresh, locally-sourced vegetables which are proven to have numerous benefits to seniors including reducing blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease, and promoting higher brain activity.

Fresh Baked Bread

There is something very nostalgic about the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through our residents’ dining room. It evokes thoughts of warmth, and comfort, and is wholesome. A fresh-baked roll or biscuit offers a sense of familiarity that can lift your mindset as you taste it.

Today From the Bay

Commonwealth Senior Living is proud to partner with Sam Rust Seafood, a locally owned seafood distributor since 1938. This partnership supports local fishermen and at the same time brings fresh, sustainable seafood directly to our residents. These fishermen are providing Commonwealth Senior Living with scallops, oysters, shrimp, trout, bass, clams, crab, and flounder.

Our Promise to Veterans

At Commonwealth Senior Living, we honor those who have served our country with much pride and respect. We have created the Wall of Valor Program to show how much their service means to us. There, all our veterans’ pictures are displayed, representing them throughout the community. Each veteran has a service star placed outside the door of their suite to identify them as a veteran. Throughout the year, the community holds Veteran Appreciation programs to honor those who have given so much.

Travel the World

This unique resident program takes our residents on new and exciting adventures to discover our world. Each year hosts a new theme such as Road Trip USA, Back to the Future – Decades, and Dream Vacation Destinations. During the year, each month takes us to a different locale to experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and culture of our destination. Our monthly Resident Programs Calendar is filled with exciting Travel the World events throughout the month, along with our many other programs that engage our residents daily.

Family Night

At Commonwealth Senior Living, we know family is everything. Family Night is an opportunity for families, residents, and associates to spend time together and get to know one another in a relaxed and comfortable setting. It’s a time for the caregiving team to build relationships with you and your loved one as a part of our family.

SMILE Technology

SMILE is a complementary communication tool we use at Commonwealth Senior Living which allows families, residents, and the Resident Programs team to stay connected no matter where they are. With the use of SMILE, messages can be sent, pictures uploaded, and music or videos can be shared. Families can also communicate directly with the Resident Programs team and receive pictures and videos through SMILE messages by logging into their own SMILE account.

Program of Fine Arts

Nearly everyone, at some point in their lives, has participated in the fine arts. They may be a musician or a lover of music, a dancer or a ballet enthusiast. Maybe they come alive as a writer or as an avid reader of classic literature. Through the Program of Fine Arts, we engage or re-engage those who have a long history of creative pursuits, by offering a fine arts program that includes; creative writing, art, dance, theatre, music and literature.

Sweet Memories Signature Programs

Sweet Melodies

Music touches each of us like nothing else can. It is stored in all parts of the brain, and because of this, it is remembered throughout life, even for those with memory loss. Our Sweet Melodies Program brings those familiar lyrics and toe-tapping tunes to our residents in a very personal way. Through the use of headphones and music playlists specific to each individual, we help them create positive and happy moments that will keep the smiles coming and their hands clapping.

Special Touch

We offer each resident a very special touch prior to lunch and dinner. Special Touch is warm, scented towels presented to each resident before their meal. At lunchtime, the towels are scented with citrus oil to awaken the taste buds and promote appetite, and in the evening, they are scented with lavender to soothe our residents and prepare them to relax and promote a restful night’s sleep. 

Life Kits

Life Kits are a collection of familiar, themed items that can be used to engage residents in conversation and reminiscing about familiar and enjoyable life events. Each Life Kit includes items related to work, play, relaxation, and other familiar activities of daily life that can be used to initiate conversation, promote well-being, and alleviate stress. As we get to know each individual resident, a specific Life Kit related to their life and hobbies may be created as well.

Expressions Art Program

This Sweet Memories program gives an opportunity to draw out meaningful self-expression when an individual’s verbal and other communication skills become compromised. While someone with memory loss may not be able to tell us what they are thinking with words, with guidance from our specially trained programming team, they may be able to use art to communicate in a new and exciting way.

The Sweet Life

We know it takes every one of us at Commonwealth Senior Living to create sweet moments for our Sweet Memories residents each day. The Sweet Life is a method of delivering resident programs and personal care as a team to efficiently accomplish more together. In doing so, we enhance the resident experience and engage our associates in warm and purposeful experiences that makes everyone smile.

Life Stories

Understanding who our residents are and where they have come from is the foundation of our Sweet Memories program. Knowing each individual’s history allows us to provide person-centered care in ways that are both positive and meaningful to the residents, their families, and our team. 

Life Stations

Life Stations are universally familiar “scenes” recreated in the Sweet Memories neighborhood. There may be a kitchen station with bowls and cookbooks that encourage a homemaker to remember those warm and inviting memories of caring for her family. An office desk and telephone to help a businessperson continue to engage in the work that was so meaningful to them. They can also function as a way for our residents to navigate the Sweet Memories neighborhood. 

Support Group

One of the most powerful things we can hear when we are experiencing pain and loss is, “Me too!” Knowing that you are not alone in this journey is extremely important, which is why Commonwealth Senior Living offers a Memory Loss & Dementia Support Group to all of our family members and the community. This is an opportunity for anyone to share their caregiving journey.   

Serenity Room

Our Serenity Room is a calm and soothing sensory room, in the Sweet Memories neighborhood, that residents use to rest and relax any time of the day. If they are frustrated or feeling overwhelmed associates may accompany them to the Serenity Room to sit and enjoy some gentle music, soothing videos, and pleasing scents. The Serenity Room is also a wonderful quiet place for family to gather. 

Family Resource Center

We want anyone who comes to our communities to have everything they need as they navigate caring for someone with memory loss. Education and knowledge can help alleviate the stress of the unknown. Our Sweet Memories Resource Center offers books, brochures, DVDs, and other information on dementia and memory loss. These resources are available free of charge.  

Being able to deliver these Signature Programs to our residents and celebrate the successes our community teams truly makes each of our days special. If you would like to learn more about our Signature Programs and how they are incorporated into our residents’ daily lifestyles, reach out to the community nearest you today.