"I could not have chosen a better place for (my Mom). Benchmark has made me feel secure. They care... period."
Click on the link below to learn more about what residents and families value most at Benchmark, as we celebrate National Assisted Living Week.
https://hubs.la/H0whXp50
We would like to wish everyone a Happy Grandparents Day in celebration of National Assisted Living Week! This is an important day to cherish grandparents and the lifelong memories that we have created with them. Whether it is in person or virtually, we hope that you are able to spend some special time with your loved ones. #CalledtoCare #GrandparentsDay2020 #NALW
We are proud to announce that we have received a Best of the Best award for our innovative "Connect First" program from Argentum. This Mind & Memory program teaches associates how to discern what their memory care residents are trying to communicate and effective response techniques.
Thank you to all of our associates who contribute toward the success of the Mind & Memory program! Read more about the award below. #CalledtoCare #Argentum #memorycare
https://hubs.ly/H0tT7nH0
We are proud to be named an honoree of Boston Business Journal's 2020 Corporate Citizenship Awards for the 2nd consecutive year. Led by our associates, Benchmark is committed to supporting each other and the causes our residents hold dear. #CalledtoCare
BENCHMARKSENIORLIVING.COM
Benchmark Senior Living named one of the most charitable companies in Massachusetts for the second straight year
Mealtime is a huge socialization time for our residents. When COVID-19 caused us to close our dining rooms for grouped mealtimes we knew we had to find a way to get it back in a safe and healthy manner as soon as possible. Read about how we have changed our dining operations in this article on the Senior Dining Association website. #SafeDining #CalledtoCare
SENIORDINING.ORG
Reinforcing Dining Room Rules to Residents
Benchmark Senior Living’s director of memory care Michelle Tristani recently spoke to Johns Hopkins University Press the obstacles created by COVID-19 in communicating with loved ones with dementia. Michelle offered advice to families and discussed the steps taken by Benchmark communities. #BetterTogether #DementiaEducation
PRESS.JHU.EDU
Dementia Care and Communication during the Coronavirus Pandemic | JHU Press
Benchmark Founder & CEO Tom Grape participated in a panel discussion regarding how assisted living communities navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lessons learned. Hosted by Mass-ALA, the panel was part of a two-day conference during which Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Elder Affairs Secretary Elizabeth Chen spoke. #MassALA #GovernorBaker #SecretaryChen
Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/33hvREi
Michelle Tristani, Benchmark’s Corporate Director of Memory Care, recently authored a column on fall prevention, offering important tips aimed at helping keep older adults safe in their homes. #CalledtoCare #FallPreventionWeek
Read the full story below:
https://bit.ly/3ok6quk
We want to make you aware that the MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services has revised its guidance to families on celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones in long term care communities. State officials now “strongly discourage” families from bringing relatives home for “any in-person gatherings.” Please read the entire letter to Massachusetts families from EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders below #Thanksgiving:
https://bit.ly/3kW8bLe
Planning for Thanksgiving? Benchmark is encouraging all of our residents to stay home this year, and instead connect and celebrate with family virtually – via ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, etc. Residents and families can schedule a time for a virtual gathering, to share recipes and enjoy each other’s company. #Thanksgiving
Read more about the CDC’s tips for taking part in a safe Thanksgiving below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html
As we begin the holiday season, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services provided recommendations on how to celebrate the holidays safely with loved ones who reside in assisted living communities or other senior residential settings. Benchmark and the Commonwealth encourage everyone to be considerate and assess risk of the spread of COVID-19. #CalledtoCare #thanksgiving
Read more about the Commonwealth’s recommendations and considerations below:
https://bit.ly/32TMW6G
Benchmark Founder and CEO Tom Grape reflected on the amazing veterans in our communities, from our residents to associates. Benchmark would like to sincerely thank all veterans for their service and wish them the very best today, Veterans Day, as well as every day. Read Tom Grape's letter below. #CalledtoCare #VeteransDay
https://bit.ly/36qLmKr
Guy Hemond, VP of Culinary & Dining Experience with Benchmark, was featured in a piece by Senior Dining Association about Benchmark's Memory Care Dining Program.
Guy discusses how Benchmark communities improve memory care dining for residents, including how to create a home-like dining experience, visual stimulation in food and kitchenware, and creative ways to make food easier to eat. We are proud of Guy and our dining associates who strive toward creating a positive dining experience for residents! #CalledtoCare #memorycare #seniordining
Read the full story below:
https://seniordining.org/senior-dining-news/f/ways-to-improve-food-intake-and-dining-in-memory-care
Today, Benchmark CEO Tom Grape received his first COVID-19 vaccine at Cabot Park Village, an Independent Living community in Newton, Mass. Tom waited until all residents and associates throughout Benchmark’s 63 communities had a chance to receive their initial dose before rolling up his own sleeve. Tom and the entire Benchmark team are working hard to promote the importance of getting vaccinated.
Through Town Halls with medical experts, associate and resident videos and daily myth-buster emails, Benchmark is ramping up associate vaccine promotion as the second round of clinics begin. Read more below about our efforts to put an end to this terrible virus. #CalledtoCare
https://bit.ly/2Mu48uj
As part of Benchmark Senior Living’s commitment to improve and personalize the resident experience, we are thrilled to be the first senior living provider in the Northeast to implement a digital platform that pinpoints residents’ interests to better match them to community programs and activities, and build relationships with neighbors.
The “Something in Common” program, developed using TSOLife technology, is being launched across all of Benchmark’s 63 communities.
“Creating and enhancing human connections in our communities is at the heart of Benchmark’s mission and something each of our staff members strive to achieve each day. ‘Something in Common’ is a tremendous resource that helps forge cherished relationships between new and longtime residents, as well as staff,” said Tom Grape, Benchmark's founder, Chairman and CEO.
Read more about the program below! #CalledtoCare #TSOLife
https://bit.ly/3t7XpXt
The Wall Street Journal today put a spotlight on Benchmark Senior Living’s innovative and creative efforts to educate and encourage our associates to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Benchmark Founder, CEO and Chairman Tom Grape was asked for his insights on how to inspire employees to get vaccinated. Read the story below. #CalledtoCare #WSJ
https://bit.ly/2Yev1os
Family holiday dinner isn’t canceled, it will just be a little different this year! Consider making a to-go plate for your loved one and dropping it off at his or her community. Then set up a computer at the head of the table so that they can eat the same food while still having a seat at your family dinner. For more virtual celebration ideas, click below. #CalledtoCare #Holidays2020
https://bit.ly/3aEi2nF
Another activity that’s easy to involve family members via video chat is building gingerbread houses. Put the camera at the end of the table and let the kids build their gingerbread houses while your loved one watches! For more virtual celebration ideas, click below. #CalledtoCare #Holidays2020
https://bit.ly/3aEi2nF
This year, you can make baking a virtual intergenerational activity. Set up your computer right on the kitchen counter and let your loved one walk you through baking cookies, pie and other family recipes. Make sure your speaker is loud enough so you can hear over the mixer! For more virtual celebration ideas, click below. #CalledtoCare #Holidays2020
https://bit.ly/3aEi2nF
