Sunrise Senior Living’s Enhanced Programming Helps Ensure Residents “Live With Purpose”

October 19, 2015

Sunrise Senior Living residents engage in enriching musical experiences as part of Live With Melody, one of the eight Live With Purpose Signature Programs.

MCLEAN, Va. –  Sunrise Senior Living has today unveiled Live With Purpose, specially designed programming that provides residents with continued options to engage, express, learn and grow every day. Live With Purpose, comprised of eight Signature Programs, was carefully developed using the latest evidence-based research and seeks to meet the unique needs and interests of seniors at each community. All of Sunrise’s communities are currently offering the new programming.

“As part of Sunrise’s 30-plus years devoted to high-quality care, we’re always looking for ways to better serve our residents and their families”

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Live With Action: Offers residents a variety of exercises to help promote active aging – from yoga to daily walking clubs and more.

Live With Anticipation: Provides a supportive environment for residents to pursue new goals and dreams.

Live With Artistry: Residents express their creativity (or discover their creative side!) through a variety of visual and fine arts, poetry, dance, theater and more.

Live With Generosity: Sunrise communities participate in local community service projects, helping residents maintain a strong sense of human connection and contribution to society.

Live With Learning: Residents expand their knowledge, share wisdom and keep their brains in shape through book clubs, roundtable discussions, guest lectures and more.

Live With Legacy: Through intergenerational programs, residents can share energy and experiences with younger people while often participating in outdoor activities, like gardening.

Live With Melody: Through partnerships with local music therapists, schools, and other community groups, residents engage in enriching musical experiences.

Live With Reflection: A variety of programs for residents to experience their spirituality, in whatever form that may take. Meditation enables residents to center themselves and wind down after a busy day.

“As part of Sunrise’s 30-plus years devoted to high-quality care, we’re always looking for ways to better serve our residents and their families,” said Chris Winkle, chief executive officer for Sunrise. “Live With Purpose demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovate in senior care and enrich our residents’ lives. We are incredibly proud to offer Live With Purpose as part of the Sunrise Signature Experience and have already seen how this approach is having a positive impact on our residents’ engagement.”

“This programming was created to bring together Sunrise residents, their loved ones, team members and the greater community to turn each day into an opportunity to Live With Purpose,” said Rita Altman, senior vice president of Memory Care & Program Services for Sunrise. “No matter your age, each of us has interests, desires and activities that make us feel whole and help contribute to a meaningful, healthy life. Our latest programming honors this and includes elements that can have a profound impact on residents’ mental, emotional and physical well-being, 365 days a year.”

Every Sunrise community has an activities and volunteer coordinator (AVC), who develops an extensive calendar tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each resident with specific local opportunities in mind. This is complemented by Sunrise’s whole home approach to programming, in which all team members work together to plan, organize and facilitate a variety of personalized activities for residents.

One resident, Mr. Swedo, taught English as a Second Language for 12 years, and he now continues sharing his passion through Live With Learning. Mr. Swedo gives lessons to others at the community. The activity keeps his brain active and helps students brush up on grammar and verbal communications.

“I love knowing that I can still help others. The eagerness of my students is the driving force behind my efforts and the satisfaction I get out of continuing to teach English as a Second Language while at Sunrise is immeasurable,” said Mr. Swedo.

Another resident, Mr. Cates, drove a bus to help cancer patients get to their doctors’ appointments and also participated in Meals on Wheels. Through Live With Generosity at Sunrise, he makes sandwiches with other residents and helps deliver them to a local shelter.

“I drove the bus for many years taking cancer patients for their treatments. The fact of being able to still give back to the community taking sandwiches to a homeless shelter means so much to me,” shared Mr. Cates.

To view additional stories like Mr. Cates’ and Mr. Swedo’s, or learn more about our programming, please visit the Sunrise Live With Purpose webpage and the Sunrise Blog.

About Sunrise Senior Living
Sunrise Senior Living, a McLean, Va.-based company, employs approximately 30,000 people. As of September 1, 2015, Sunrise operated 304 communities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, including 15 Gracewell Healthcare communities, with a total unit capacity of approximately 27,300. Sunrise offers a full range of personalized senior living services, including independent living, assisted living, care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss, as well as nursing and rehabilitative services. Sunrise’s senior living services are delivered by team members who are trained to encourage independence, preserve dignity, enable freedom of choice and protect the privacy of residents. To learn more about Sunrise, please visit www.SunriseSeniorLiving.com.