CALA News & Views | Issue 55 | Elevating Engagement

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The result is proactive, sustainable wellness that elevates the overall quality of life. When Wellness Becomes Culture For MBK Senior Living , elevating engagement starts with redefining wellness itself. Communities are viewed as Living Communities – environments where movement, connection and contribution are designed into daily experiences. Guided by values like “Ageless Explorations,” “Better Together” and “Reason for Being,” MBK integrates wellness into every detail. From maximizing natural light to investing in movement professionals and educating teams on human movement fundamentals, vitality becomes embedded in culture. They also recognize that our sense of happiness and purpose – our Ikigai, the Japanese word for reason for being – is deeply connected to our ability to move freely and engage in the moments that matter. As mobility declines, individuals often begin to withdraw, unintentionally missing opportunities for joy and connection. That understanding drives MBK’s commitment to movement as medicine. They educate their teams on the fundamentals of human movement so they can better support residents in maintaining independence and invest in hiring industry-leading movement professionals who can help residents preserve – and often improve – their physical capacity. When wellness is woven into daily operations rather than confined to a class schedule, engagement happens organically. Wellness as a Collective Commitment At Senior Resource Group , wellness is both strategic and celebratory. In 2025, the organization unified its 21 communities and home office through combined quarterly resident and employee wellness challenges supported by phone-based wellness apps and digital leaderboards. The results were dramatic: a 600% increase in participation on the employee wellness platform and a sustained 400% growth in daily engagement.

Across our member communities, one message rings clear: wellness is not an activity, it is the engine of engagement. When movement, connection and purpose are intentionally woven into daily life, residents don’t just participate. They thrive. Where Energy Sets the Tone At Bruceville Point , wellness is grounded in its YUSM

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philosophy: Youthful, Useful, Spontaneous and Mobile. The belief is simple yet powerful: staying mobile sustains independence, confidence and social connection. Step inside and you can feel it. Upbeat music drifts from the fitness center, laughter echoes down the staircase and more

than 25 weekly classes invite residents to build strength, balance, mobility and even cognitive fitness. The goal isn’t simply exercise; it’s belonging. “When I first arrived from the hospital, I was weak and unsure of myself,” shared resident Gary Shaw of Bruceville Point. “Joining the fitness program changed everything. Little by little, I regained my strength and confidence. Today, I feel strong, independent and capable again.” From tai chi and cardio drumming to meditation and personal training, residents aren’t just going to the gym, they’re choosing vitality as part of daily life. Therapy as Transformation At California Veterans Home - Fresno , wellness begins with rehabilitation that restores both function and confidence. As 1950s and ‘60s classics play in the background, residents gather in a 900-square-foot rehab gym equipped with therapy mats, NuStep machines, free weights and parallel bars. Physical, occupational and speech therapists collaborate to create individualized plans designed to rebuild strength, mobility and independence. But the impact extends well beyond muscle groups. As residents see progress, confidence returns. Routine reduces isolation. Structured therapy fosters social interaction and optimism. Movement becomes medicine, not only preventing falls and managing pain, but reigniting a sense of self-worth and possibility.

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Leaderboards were filled with photos and step counts as residents and team members tracked their progress through the wellness apps. Friendly competition sparked camaraderie. Participants shared encouragement –