Nancy Weinbeck: 5 lessons from the for-profit senior living world
The senior living industry has so many acronyms it could benefit from its own dictionary.
For example, Bayview used to be classified as a CCRC, or Continuing Care Retirement Community. It is now known as an LPC, or Life Plan Community. Nothing has changed other than the acronym LPC replacing the acronym CCRC.
I would like to offer another acronym: LEC, or Life Extension Community. Research shows that residents of LPCs experience greater longevity. Here are some possible explanations.
Many of you are already familiar with the Dimensions of Wellness. While there are many different models, most include physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual. Well, unsurprisingly it so happens that LPCs frequently excel at providing opportunities and removing barriers such that residents are more easily able to achieve success at one or more of these factors.
It’s easy to see why moving to an LPC can optimize one’s ability to add fitness into one’s day with the variety of classes offered. However, you don’t need to move to an LPC to access fitness classes. Throw on a pair of sneakers and get moving in whatever way suits you. Similarly, some of you may attend some of our more academic programs, like our recent art history lecture series with University of Washington lecturer Kolya Rice. So, while you throw on your sneakers, seek out one of the many venues that offer lifetime learning in Seattle to enhance your intellectual wellness.
Social wellness is built in to the LPC model. It can be more challenging to expand one’s social circle as one ages, particularly as family and friends move on or pass on. However, there are still ways to expand one’s social circle and gain an upper hand on the vocational wellness piece as well: volunteer! Our city is loaded with volunteer opportunities to help support schools, hospitals, the arts, and other nonprofit organizations. The spiritual dimension of wellness tunes into one’s ability to find purpose and meaning, with or without belonging to a particular congregation. Most LPCs also make this easy, as many have an onsite chaplain as well as ecumenical spiritual programs. Joining a faith-based group in your community is one of many ways to fulfill this wellness dimension.
Yes, research shows that LPC residents experience enhanced longevity compared to those who choose to stay at home. However, there are ways to build in the advantages that come with an LPC into your own lifestyle to improve your health span as well as your life span. Are you doing this now?
Drop me a line, I’d love to hear more!
Nancy Weinbeck is the CEO of Bayview in Queen Anne.