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
Farm Visits from Swansea brought their baby chicks, goats and Lionhead bunnies for some cuddling with our residents.
Alice, Mary, Jimmy and Donna all had an appointment in our hair salon today and came out looking great!
The Sisters came to the Atrium to celebrate the September birthday residents. They brought cake, sang and played their instruments. Jean whistled along and Buelah sang.
Ken, Jimmy and Peg are wonderful artists. They do a beautiful job.
It's apple picking time. Barb, Peggy and Alice used crumpled up newspaper to put leaves on their tree and then dabbed on red apples with a sponge brush. Nice job by all!
We celebrated Oktoberfest on the 15th. Accordionist Paul Cavallaro played for the residents who got in the spirit with the music. Pretzels were served for afternoon snack and we all had a good time.
Barbara and Peggy were two of the residents who enjoyed a concert by young Berklee student, Haven. Haven has been to the Atrium several times and plays a variety of tunes including older songs our residents can name.
Our artist friends at the Atrium love to paint the miniature birdhouses. They choose the style of birdhouse, the paint color, the brush and how to decorate once the paint dries.
Many thanks to the ladies from the Wollaston Garden Club for coming to the Atrium and bringing some autumn with them. Residents decorated pumpkins, made collages and posters celebrating the beauty of nature. They also brought a pumpkin filled with flowers which sits atop our piano. ❤️🍁🌻
Our artists at it again...painting pumpkins and coloring autumn themed pictures. See their art on display in our lobby.
Many adjustments have been made due to Covid to keep our residents safe. We now play Bingo with markers instead of chips and one time use throw away Bingo cards. Everyone sits at their own table and we still give a prize to the winner which players say is the best part.🥰
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
A Happy Halloween was enjoyed by residents and associates together. Holly Sommers Entertainment brought her 'ghoul' along and sang among other Halloween tunes 'My Ghoul' (My Guy adaptation!). It was hilarious. We had a couple of poodle skirts for the ladies and some other headgear. Everyone received a treat bag and played our instruments along with Holly.
It was birthday party Tuesday and as per usual our friends the Sisters brought ice cream cake and sang with the residents. We brought out an array of instruments and residents joined in with theirs.❤️🎂🎻🎸
Painting and carving pumpkins for next Saturday's Halloween. One pumpkin message: You are what you eat! 🎃🎃🎃
Several of our artists decorated masks for the upcoming spooky day on Oct. 31st. 🎃👻☠️🧙♀️🧙🧟♀️
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
Lydia is receiving a knitting refresher from RCA Gladys and then continuing on her own...knit, purl, knit, purl.
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
Peggy and Marie playing Kerplunk.
David, Peggy and Lydia making some pretty awesome snowflakes out of unassembled clothespins. ❄️
