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Fall in Love With Senior Living

September 28th 2022

The leaves are turning, the weather is cooling down, and it is time for our communities to find new ways to spend their time in the changing seasons. Our communities across the country are currently experiencing the transition from summer to fall and falling in love with senior living!

Our communities have the time of their lives during the fall season. We don’t know where to start with so many fall-themed activities to choose from!

In September, we celebrated National Assisted Living Week (NALW) and all of the beautiful ‘Joyful Moments’ that come with it. Grandparent’s Day is another favorite celebration alongside some Oktoberfest fun! Don’t forget the official first day of fall on September 22nd, when many of our communities go out and celebrate at their local Fall Festivals.

In October, we celebrate Active Aging week and encourage our residents to stay active while educating them on healthy aging. Did someone say I Love Lucy? Some of our communities are enjoying celebrating I Love Lucy Day with a marathon, trivia, or even a costume party! Our residents might even be participating in a scarecrow building contest this year.

In November, there is a lot to celebrate, from the National Month of Gratitude to Veteran’s Day. Many of our residents are Veterans and it is important to us here at Grace Management, to honor and celebrate them. Our communities spend time on gratitude throughout the month of November, especially in celebrating Thanksgiving.

Enjoying these moments in our senior living communities is what really makes us fall in love with senior living. Our communities provide a variety of events each season that are suited for you! Interested in learning more? Head over to our communities page and find a community near you. It’s not like home. It is home.™

What to see more of what is happening in our communities? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn today. Or visit any of our community websites and navigate to the Facebook icon on the homepage to visit their Facebook page.

Discussing Senior Living Options with Your Loved Ones

September 21st 2022

Discussing senior living options can be challenging – especially with those closest to us. You may have noticed some signs that it is time for your loved one to begin to consider a senior living community. It is important to prepare yourself prior to approaching the topic with your loved one.

It is beneficial to do your homework before initiating a conversation. Educating yourself on local senior living communities is a great place to start. Your loved ones will have questions and may have concerns as they explore options for senior living.

Starting this important conversation is often the most challenging part. It is common to want to procrastinate, but if you are concerned about their safety, it is important to initiate this conversation as early as possible. Take the time to listen to your loved ones’ concerns and empathize with them.

Work together to find a community that is right for them and arrange a visit to the community. As a result, they will gain a better understanding of the lifestyle, culture, amenities, and their potential neighbors. A visit will often help make the decision easier for your loved ones.

At Grace Management, Inc., we honor each unique resident and offer senior living at its finest. We strive to empower our residents with freedom and convenience in their day-to-day lives.

Are you interested in a Grace Management, Inc. senior living community in your area? Visit the communities section of our website and search by state, then choose the community you’re interested in.

It’s not like home. It is home.™

For more information, please visit www.whereyoulivematters.org – ASHA’s senior living resource guide.

Happy National Assisted Living Week!

September 14th 2022

It is National Assisted Living Week (NALW), and we know the importance of celebrating our residents and associates during this special week! We want to work together to bring joyful moments to our residents in every community this week.

Here at Grace Management, Inc., we take the time to celebrate our residents in every community across the nation. National Assisted Living Week is held annually in September and was established to highlight the vital role assisted living plays in the care and support of senior adults who may face challenges in their day to day lives.

This year’s theme, “Joyful Moments,” allows for the creation of nostalgia and joy among residents and associates alike. We are excited to celebrate National Assisted Living Week this year by bringing Joyful Moments every day to our residents and our associates. This week brings to amazing relationships our associates have with our residents to life.

Grace Management works hard with our life enrichment teams to celebrate this week to the fullest! This week helps our residents know that they are at home. Our life enrichment teams take the time this week to bring joy into our communities with fun and engaging activities to connect with our residents.

We hope everyone enjoys celebrating National Assisted Living Week to its fullest by celebrating our residents and the men and women who work hard to care for them. Join one of our communities celebrating this week!

Joyful Moments National Assisted Living Week

To learn more about National Assisted Living Week, head over to www.ahcancal.org/.

National Director of Hospitality and Engagement, Sarah Moriyama, Appointed to Prestigious Committee

September 7th 2022

We are proud to announce that Sarah Moriyama, Grace Management, Inc.’s National Director of Hospitality and Engagement, has been appointed to a prestigious Advisory Board for the Customer Experience Certificate Program at the University of California – Irvine, Division of Continuing Education

As Grace Management’s National Director of Hospitality and Engagement, Moriyama provides support, inspiration, and training for hospitality and engagement to all of Grace Management, Inc. senior living communities throughout the country.

Prior to joining Grace Management, Inc. Moriyama built a career with Disney elevating the customer experience. Moriyama has more than a decade of leadership experience working within the many facets of operations and hospitality. Moriyama earned her bachelor’s degree in in Fashion Merchandising from Kent State University and her MBA from Washington State University with a concentration in Hospitality.

This advisory board is comprised of esteemed hospitality professionals with diverse backgrounds from different industries. The members of the advisory board mentor other professionals going through the Customer Experience Certificate Program. Advisory Board members present case studies, assist with the program in general, and ultimately shapes the curriculum for the program to ensure that it remains relevant and innovative.

“I am truly honored to be appointed to this Advisory Board and look forward to being a valuable resource to those involved in the program,” Moriyama said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to showcase the incredible work we are doing at Grace Management and learn from other industry leaders to continue to help us elevate the senior living experience.”

To learn more, please visit the news section of the GMI website.

Senior Vice President Kymm Clark Selected to Serve on ASHA’s Sales and Marketing Committee

August 24th 2022

We are proud to announce that Kymm Clark, our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, has been selected to serve on the American Seniors Housing Association’s (ASHA) Sales and Marketing Committee.

This committee is part of ASHA’s most recent Strategic Plan initiatives with the goal of helping increase membership engagement and uphold ASHA’s mission and objectives in serving the senior housing industry and its leaders. The Sales and Marketing Committee is comprised of senior housing company leaders in sales and marketing.

The purpose of the committee, as stated by ASHA:

As we continue to see senior living occupancy as a large focus for many of our organizations, ASHA understands it is crucial that we implement a sales and marketing committee to gather feedback, areas of opportunity, obtain more input and involvement from leaders in sales and marketing. This would also include strategic conversations and best-practice sharing with relevant industry peers, along with a sounding board or industry focus group for tactical decisions you will make for your organization.

Ms. Clark is excited to be selected to join the committee and represent Grace Management, Inc. within this select group in ASHA. “I am honored for the opportunity to be part of this group of respected colleagues and thought leaders in the senior living industry,” said Kymm Clark, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Grace Management, Inc. “Our industry continues to fluctuate and flourish, and we are well positioned to continue to be innovative in all we do to best reach our future residents.”

Kymm Clark, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing

To learn more, please visit the news section of the GMI website.

Reducing Social Isolation Through Senior Living Communities

August 20th 2022

Social isolation is one of the most overlooked conditions, threatening 1 in 4 senior adults. Our communities strive to reduce social isolation among every one of our residents.

Did you know that social isolation can impact health care utilization, overall well-being, and cognitive functioning? Social isolation has been linked to increased hospitalization, a higher rate of nursing home stays, increased anxiety and depression, and poor outcomes for cognitive health.

Helping our residents live Gracefully is the foundation of each of our senior living communities across the country. This includes preventing social isolation and all the risks that come with it.

How do we support our communities across the country in preventing social isolation?

Senior Living Communities promote social engagement through life enrichment programs and have been found to help with social, physical, and intellectual wellness in senior adults. Our communities across the country offer vibrant activities and experiences that give our residents structured socialization and holistically benefit their health. The Graceful Giving and Community Ambassador programs both empower residents to engage with one another and their community in meaningful ways, providing a sense of purpose. We work to ensure our residents feel like they are at home in their community and stay connected to the community-at-large. We have discussed why senior living is essential and how Grace Management works to provide the best in all aspects of retirement – including preventing social isolation and its effects among our residents.

We believe that senior living communities play an essential role in reducing social isolation among senior adults. Because of this, Grace Management, Inc. is dedicated to ensuring that all aspects of retirement are tailored to the individual and we are currently participating in academic research to learn from our residents what strategies and programs are most meaningful to them and have the largest impact in the prevention of social isolation.

Interested in learning more about how our communities help prevent social isolation among senior adults? Find a community near you and give them a call today!

It’s not like home. It is home. ™

To learn more about social isolation in senior adults, visit www.whereyoulivematters.org – a resource hosted by ASHA – the American Senior Housing Association.

Programming with Purpose

August 17th 2022

Our purposeful programming touches on a multi-faceted approach to ensuring there are engaging and enriching events and activities for all that includes our whole-body wellness approach to senior living.

You will see on any of our community websites’ Life Enrichment calendars categories that further provide what we strive for. There are activities and events that support and enhance a variety of dimensions of wellness, including physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.

Our communities also strive to be good neighbors who are actively engaged with one another at home and with their local community beyond our community walls. There are two engagement opportunities that specifically support the social wellness of our residents through connection with others.

The Community Ambassador Program

The Community Ambassador program is a program designed to welcome and show hospitality to new neighbors, as well as our neighbors in the larger community, neighborhood and cities our communities call home. Community Ambassadors are residents living in our communities who are passionate about welcoming new neighbors and helping them integrate into their new home over their first few weeks and months. It can be overwhelming to move into a new home at any age, and who better to help guide and support new neighbors than those who have been there themselves! Our Community Ambassadors can help reduce the risk of loneliness by showing these new neighbors our graceful hospitality and friendship.

The Graceful Giving Program

The Graceful Giving Program goes beyond simply welcoming people into the community and asks our residents to reach out to connect with the community-at-large in a positive, productive way through community service and philanthropic opportunities. Each quarter, the residents choose a local cause or organization to support through community service and partnership. We provide both at-home and external options to give back to the community and support a local cause or organization that is important to our residents!

Our community teams strive to get to know each resident that calls their community home and focus in on what each person is passionate about, curious about, or looks forward to throughout the year to ensure that what we provide is the creation of a community that is eager to engage and connect. Each community is unique in what lights up their lives and gives them strength, and we are eager and excited to craft and shape activities and events to best suit them.

Curious about our communities’ event calendars? Go to our Communities section of the Grace Management website, click on the community of choice, navigate to that community’s Lifestyle & Amenities tab and click on Life Enrichment Calendar.

The Graceful Dining Difference

August 10th 2022

We know that food is at the center of a healthy lifestyle and is an integral part of providing an exceptional senior living experience.

Our Graceful Dining approach provides our residents with a homestyle culinary experience in a warm and inviting environment. We focus on from-scratch cooking using fine ingredients that favor natural herbs and spices, as well as many local and fresh ingredients to serve our residents delicious and well-balanced meals each day, sourced locally when possible. Food isn’t just about providing healthy meals for seniors – it’s about building community, and our dining rooms are designed to provide warmth and welcoming ambience for all to enjoy.

Dining is an important part of life, and we strive to provide our residents with a dining experience that satisfies in settings that feels like home. Our residents enjoy a warm and comfortable dining room with the attention of an experienced culinary team. At many of our communities, private dining rooms provide our residents the opportunity for family celebrations, holidays, and birthday parties with loved ones.

Our trained Chefs design seasonal menus that feature the freshest ingredients from high quality producers. Dishes are prepared daily at the community using a wide variety of flavors, styles, and taste profiles so you can always find something that satisfies your cravings.

Our chefs speak regularly with our residents to learn what menu items they would like featured in the community as we strive to create a restaurant-style dining experience for all to enjoy. We also understand diets alter as we age, and our culinary teams are trained in how best to modify menus and recipes to accommodate changing needs and tastes.

Our dining program is an enhanced culinary experience, integrating traditional, fresh cooking with our residents’ favorite home-style meals.

Thank you to Guest Blogger Max Rasquinha, Grace Management’s National Director of Dining Services. To find out more about Max and his culinary expertise, please visit our news section. Check out a sample Graceful Dining menu by visiting any of our communities’ websites and clicking on the Graceful Dining page.

6 Ways Grace Leads in Elevating the Senior Living Experience

August 3rd 2022

What makes experiences with businesses memorable? Convenience? Products? Atmosphere? Or does it have more to do with the feeling that you get when you interact with the people and environment. About a year ago, Grace created the Director of Hospitality and Engagement position to differentiate Grace communities from others. In that time, a number of training programs and tools have been created to equip associates and leaders with the tools they need to provide hospitality focused, people-first communities for our residents, families of residents and associates. Here are some of the great tools and trainings that are coming to our amazing communities in 2022:

Leading Gracefully – Leading Gracefully is Grace Management’s leadership training program designed to shape the leaders of today and tomorrow. Leading Gracefully supports all Grace Management leaders in their pursuit of growth and opportunity. It sets the foundation for lifelong leadership development and is designed to support amazing leadership teams at all Grace communities.
The Graceful Experience – The Graceful Experience establishes the benchmark for hospitality and culture across all Grace Management communities. It is a framework to support best-in-class service that sets Grace Management apart from its competitors. The Graceful Experience is designed to introduce standards and provide a training platform.
The Graceful Experience Hospitality Champions – Hospitality champions support hospitality training and initiatives at all Grace communities. These associates were identified by their leadership teams as individuals who truly serve as a hospitality role model for their peers. This committee meets monthly with lots of great work coming up to help make a difference at our communities. They can be identified by their Graceful Experience Champion pins!
Customer Experience Specialist Training – In June, our community teams will go through a special training designed for our associates who support their communities from the front desk. Due to the nature of the awesome work they do to support residents, associates and the customer experience, their new title will be Customer Experience Specialist.
Grace Cornerstone All-Associate Orientation – A new orientation training program has been introduced to all Grace communities to help improve the onboarding experience for our associates. This program focuses on welcoming associates to each community through interactions with the entire leadership team as well as interactions, from day one, with our amazing residents!
Grace In Action National Associate Recognition Program– The Grace in Action recognition program equips our residents and associates with an easy and meaningful way to recognize our associates. When associates go above and beyond at our communities to serve residents or support other associates, this new tool can provide timely and specific recognition for a job well-done!

Thank you to Guest Blogger Sarah Moriyama, GMI National Director of Hospitality and Engagement. For more about Sarah and her role visit our news section.

8 Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Living

July 27th 2022

With more than 35 years of experience in the senior living industry, and with the support from experts in their field, we continue to find ways to support and provide the answers people seek in their senior living journey.

Here are eight Frequently Asked Questions that may help you and your loved ones navigate your senior living journey:

What is Senior Living? Senior living encompasses many lifestyles and living options. Each Grace Management, Inc. community may offer one or more options within the Senior Living Spectrum, from independent living to assisted living to memory care. Each option is designed to enhance the lives and wellbeing of seniors. The Senior Living Spectrum below will help you choose the option that’s best for you or your loved one.
How does the cost of Senior Living compare to remaining home? Start by totaling all your separate current living expenses and compare that number to the total cost for living at one of our communities. You may find that senior living is more cost effective than you thought.
How do I financially plan for Senior Living? Understanding the available financial options is an important step that should be made early in the process. From Veteran’s Benefits to tax benefits, our resources can make senior living more affordable.
How do I find the best senior living option for me? Consider your current lifestyle needs to prioritize what makes your ideal senior living option. While every experience is unique, you can gather insight from those who have already made the transition to senior living.
What questions should I ask before making a decision? There are many factors to consider, and it’s natural to feel unsure of where to begin. We will provide personal guidance every step of the way and will ensure all your questions are answered.
What should I expect when I move? The prospect of moving can be overwhelming, which is why our team is here to provide support and preparation. From finding the ideal living option to moving into it, our goal is to make the process simpler than ever.
How do I begin the conversation with my loved one(s)? We’re here to remind you that you are not alone in navigating potentially difficult discussions. Engaging in open, honest dialogue from the beginning sets the stage for a positive journey.
What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s is one form of dementia that impacts memory, cognitive abilities, and behavior. We proudly partner with the Alzheimer’s Association nationwide and offer best-in-class memory care programs.

You may have more questions than this and we’re here to help! We are registered with the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA). ASHA hosts “Where You Live Matters,” a senior living resource that addresses everything from selecting the right living situation to making the transition to your new home. Visit Where You Live Matters here: https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/