Although the Meadowell moniker has existed at Meadowood for quite some time, initially it was simply the name for the staff wellness program. The concept was more about keeping our employees healthy and happy, and finding ways for them to earn a discount on their health insurance, than any overall wellness concept.
We had plenty of active aging and wellness programs for our residents, mind you. Classes, events, lectures, social opportunities… but no name for what was growing across the community — that groundswell of desire for deep health across all dimensions of life.
A few years ago, Meadowood adopted the term Meadowell to represent not only our staff programming, but our campus-wide culture.
What do we mean by culture? Why do we use that word to describe Meadowell?
Let’s take a look at what a culture is. Collectively, it’s the “customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular group.” And if you know our community and its active lifestyle, you know this definition fits Meadowell to a tee, because wellness is woven into the fabric of:
Our customs. We strive to be open, welcoming, and kind. We share what we have. We put health and happiness first. We value family, spirituality, and community. Events like Flugel Fest, the Turkey Trot, the Tree of Light Ceremony (to remember those who’ve passed), and the annual dinner to honor first responders bring us all together for a purpose. Community is at the heart of aging well, says Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO, National Council on Aging, in an article published by AmeriCorps.
Our arts. From music to theater, woodworking to crafts, painting to dance, the arts are very much alive at Meadowood., complementing our active aging and wellness programs for seniors. Creativity flows freely in every direction. Our yearly juried art show is known across the region as one of the best. We count among our residents professional performers and directors, photographers, musicians, writers, poets, and painters. But you don’t have to be a creative professional to reap the benefits; according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), participating in the creative arts creates paths to healthy aging.
Our social institutions. From the community’s conception, the goal has been to strive always for a balance among the residents, staff, and administration, in order to meet the needs of all who live and work here. The thriving Meadowood Residents Association contributes to all facets of active aging and wellness here, through clubs, committees, and events. Our joint staff and resident committees guide dining, interior design, and wellness choices.
Our achievements. Our residents have lived amazing lives, and continue to use their talents, knowledge, and abilities to enrich not only the Meadowood community but the wider world, too. Our staff members have won numerous awards for their contributions to active aging and senior caregiving, including awards for excellence in wellness, housekeeping, nursing, horticulture, and architecture. As a campus we support our local community by raising money for many social causes, and volunteer our talents to organizations that make the world a better place. NIH studies also have revealed that volunteerism benefits older adults by preventing social isolation (a major risk factor for mortality among the elderly) and helping to maintain and even improve mental health.
The best part of any culture — of our culture — is the fact that each person who has lived or worked here has played no small part in making Meadowood what it is today. Perhaps it has only recently been defined as “Meadowell,” but our concept of holistic aging has been flourishing since the first day we opened our doors.