QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
The Gift of Curiosity for Residents By Heather Loveridge
to do while they’re living with us. We want them to create a life for themselves that’s filled with so much activity that their kids can’t find them in their apartment because they are busy doing things!” Feedback is already coming in from exec-
utive directors, sales directors and residents - the book is a hit. “I so love the book ‘The Wisdom of Cu-
riosity.’ I will treasure it always,” wrote a former librarian and Atria resident. Another resident at Atria St. Matthews in
Louisville, Kentucky wrote to the communi- ty sales director. “I want to thank you and the staff for my
Christmas present,” the resident said. “What a wonderful thought; I love this book.” “The Wisdom of Curiosity” is also a pro-
gramming tool for Atria, as directors use it to help plan activities and programs for 2017. “This year we’re going to have adventure
Atria Senior Living doesn’t think so. In fact, they created a book, “The Wisdom of Curiosity,” that encourages the more than 21,000 residents in their 190 commu- nities to pursue curiosity on a daily basis. Questions like “What if you could travel
D
whenever you wanted?”, “What if you began flinging compliments around like wild aban- don”?, and “What if you could make up a holiday?” are found throughout the pages. “About nine years ago we started the tradition of giving our residents a book as a holiday gift,” said Ronda Watson, senior vice president of Atria’s events and culinary programs. “We wanted to give them some-
24 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE / ISSUE 1 2017
oes curiosity end when you reach a certain age? Does your thirst for knowledge slowly decrease?
thing more meaningful than a snow globe or something like that. We did a cookbook years ago, but it wasn’t just a cookbook. We asked why the recipe was important to that family, what was the story behind it, and what were the traditions accompanying it. That was the launch pad to figuring out gifts that would include the residents’ past but still keep it rel- evant and allow them to have something to pass on to their children and grandchildren.” This year’s book is a 52-week planner, full
of thoughtful questions and activities. “We’ve discovered residents love having
a calendar, but we didn’t want to just do a 12-month calendar so we did a 52-week planner book,” Watson said. “Our goal is for residents to fill it up with all of the pro- grams, events, outings and classes they want
clubs where residents can come, bring their planner, and, as a group or individually, they can plan what they are going to explore that week,” Watson said. “We’re focusing these efforts on well-be- ing and Atria’s four cornerstones: nutrition, exercise, staying connected with others and setting goals. So 2017 will be about helping residents meet those four cornerstones.” The foreword to “The Wisdom of Curi-
osity” was written by American social justice pioneer, sports icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Billie Jean King, who also serves as Atria’s Well-Being Coach. “I’ve had the privilege to meet and be in-
spired by Atria residents across the country,” King said. “They know that being older and wiser
doesn’t mean you stop being curious – in fact, it’s the time to be more curious than ever. “The Wisdom of Curiosity” will no doubt fuel their inquisitive spirits and serve them well on the path to greater well-being.”
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