On March 5, Seniorly announced that Casa de Mañana in La Jolla ranked in the top five in its Best of Senior Living Awards 2024. The San Diego Union Tribune reported on the honor on April 3. The story was also reported on KUSI’s website.

On March 26, The Oaklandside shared a feature article about how Home Match, Front Porch’s home sharing program, addresses homelessness and on April 2, KPIX also shared a story about the program on its evening broadcast. Home Match was also selected as the 2024 recipient of LeadingAge California’s Best Practice/Innovation of the Year Award in recognition for its work in homelessness prevention.

On April 16, Colorado Public Radio featured a segment on Social Call, Front Porch’s friendly visitor program, titled Overcoming loneliness and isolation with a simple phone call. The story featured conversations with a volunteer and participant as well as with Katie Wade, senior director for creative engagement.

On April 17, KFMB – CBS8 shared a story about the Men’s Shed program that is sponsored by Carlsbad By The Sea as they built a shed for ‘Raptor Ridge’.

On April 3, SuperMoney included Wesley Palms in San Diego in its Best Places to Retire in California 2024 guide.

On March 4, Senior Living Foresight posted about Front Porch’s involvement in the San Diego Senior Women’s Basketball Association.

On March 18, Front Porch shared a press release about Kingsley Manor as it hosted a fashion show in partnership with L.A. Fashion Week.

On March 15, Front Porch shared a press release, celebrating Friends House‘s 40th anniversary serving the Santa Rosa community.

The post Front Porch in the Media: March-April 2024 appeared first on Front Porch.

This year, our mission was crystal clear: to weave our newly minted values into the very essence of Front Porch. With the Ethics Service serving as the compass, we set sail.

At the heart of our endeavor was our staff. Whether working at communities, CARING Housing Ministries, Community Services or Support Services, they were our artists in residence, painting, crocheting, sculpting, drawing, producing and building with sparkling flames of inspiration and showering encouragement on one another like confetti across our organization.

And then, like magic, creativity began to dance through the corridors. Submissions trickled in, shy at first, but growing bolder by the day. Colleagues would catch my eye in the hallway, their faces alight with the spark of creation, whispering, “I’ve got something brewing,” or “I’m sculpting my thoughts into art,” and “I’ve found the perfect way to weave our values into my piece.”

Our canvas was limitless, and so were the submissions. From paintings and photographs to graphic art and sketches, the variety was endless. Artists crafted jewelry, spun yarns into crochet, pieced together patchwork, collaged memories, fashioned handbags, twisted wire art, baked bread art, created videos, wrote poetry, and penned prose — all bursting with connections to our values.

Jessica McCracken, the director inspiring our Community Services program Creative Spark, remarked with a twinkle in her eye, ” It warms my heart to see our values come to life in such creative and profound ways.”

This was no ordinary art contest. The challenge was Herculean: create some form of art that encapsulates the essence of one or all six of our values: Connect, Build Trust, Collaborate, Lead Responsibly, Inspire Creativity, and Embrace Change.

Our 29 judges, members from our regional Ethics Committees and Ethics Board, found themselves in an art odyssey, their task to crown the victors based on creativity, values depiction, and the expression of embracing our values.

The celebration of our values and our in-house artists continues to resonate through the halls of Front Porch. Ethics advocates throughout are planning celebratory events with staff and residents alike. Our Board members, too, have been swept away by the wave of creativity, witnessing firsthand the tangible connection to our values at their recent board meeting.

With a heart swelling with gratitude and pride, I stand in awe of the 51 diverse submissions, crafted by our talented staff. Each piece is a love letter, a heartfelt ode to our values, showcasing the strength, diversity, and creativity of our incredible Front Porch family. Thank you!

— Lauren Moulton-Beaudry

Vice President, Ethics and Leadership Development

Click HERE and scroll to see ALL of the Embracing Our Values Summer Art Fest submissions

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Evidence of noticing and enacting change can accompany days of recognition as we have here. I’m fortunate to have seen several cultural progressions in my lifetime. Today, we celebrate diversity of all sorts in our world and have ways of learning about one another that are often born from these moments. “celebrations” can help break down barriers and remind us of the ground we’ve covered on our shared human journeys. The Civil Rights Act of the 1960s, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Marriage Equality Act of 2011 have all bridged some divides. Motion forward is always good even as our work continues.

This “Senior Citizens Day,” I’m asking we all encourage conversations around “ageism.” Despite a cultural bias about aging here in America, the number of people 65 years old and above will more than double by 2040 and the number of people over 85 will quadruple. For the first time in U.S. history, older people will outnumber younger generations. There is similar disparity in generations throughout the world. The impacts are massive and will be untenable unless we can recognize the real possibilities that exist in lives where people are connected in community, learning from one another and continuing to drive lives with greater focus on purpose, health, and well-being through means that are constantly evolving.

How do we move forward? Language is powerful. Changing how we use it can have impact. Ageism is frequently unnoticeable and can be found in casual conversations. For example, we say someone is “still” working when they work beyond the “traditional” retirement age. As if remaining in the workforce is remarkable. This unconscious bias may seem innocuous, but actually perpetuates ageism.

Yesterday, our colleague Katie Wade posted a note on LinkedIn around the premise of a question asked in a column in The New York Times: “How old is too old?” The words are disabling and ignore the reality that we actually grow and strengthen in so many ways that are too often ignored, let alone celebrated! And by the way, the truth about working older adults is that nearly 22% of Americans ages 65 and older are part of our country’s workforce, some out of necessity to supplement their income but many because they know they have something more to contribute.

Another way to make a difference is to think differently about retirement and have conversations with people from all walks of life and learn what they feel retirement means. Unlike the generation that came before them, boomers view it far differently. For a boomer today, retirement can mean travel, continuing education, mentoring, second careers, volunteering, sports, or a host of other significant life events that are far from passive and belie the notion of “retiring,” which at its root means “to go away.”

In our work, we struggle with terms such as “retirement” and “senior citizen.” Let’s keep asking ourselves, “How do we want to be referred to?” A recent joint study from the American Medical Association, the Gerontological Society of America, the American Psychological Association and Associated Press says that terms such as seniors, elderly, the aged, aging dependents, old-old, young-old, and similar terms connote a stereotype and thus should not be used. Instead, terms such as older persons, older people, older adults, older patients, older individuals, persons 65 years and older, or the older population are preferred.

Do you agree? Have things changed again? Talk about it. Ask questions. Explore opportunities to change the narrative around aging and become an advocate of awareness. There’s always more than we might imagine. Let’s go!

— Sean Kelly

Chief Executive Officer

Front Porch

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At Front Porch, we have Front Porch University, not a place but a culture, which promotes leadership engagement in order to build and grow a Front Porch culture of learning that translates learning into a well-prepared, innovative workforce. One of its signature programs is Managers in Motion (MIM), a distinctive program specifically designed to give middle managers the tools to become successfully engaged, accountable and respectful leaders.

Since the program began, almost 80 managers have participated with more to come. Recently, 15 graduated from the program who work at Front Porch’s Northern California senior living and affordable housing communities as well as those working within Front Porch’s Community Services programs.

MIM is a is very hands-on “workshopy” rather than “sit back and listen” type of program. During this eight-month leadership training, everyone jumps in and supports each other. Reflective “thought-work” between meetings keeps MIMs engaged throughout the program. Participants are often surprised at how interactive the workshops are and how the content is so relevant to their current work.

MIM uses small groups from each Front Porch community who then model and share their developed skills and new knowledge with others to benefit their communities and the organization as a whole.  MIM participants note that meeting other managers from different communities is so valuable because they learn that they are not alone in dealing with some of the same management issues.

This experience is a unique touch point for our managers. They get to reflect both on their own leadership and experiment with colleagues in a safe, interactive learning environment.

MIMs meet both in person and through check-in Zoom meetings. Three major areas of focus are accountability, team and trust building and working through content.

MIMs have opportunities for reflection, self-assessment, practice, real-life scenario-share, leadership activities, and have an opportunity to meet and talk with guest leaders. A residual effect of the program is how managers feel part of the greater Front Porch whole, engaged and confident.

Feeling a part of the greater whole adds meaning to our work lives. As a values-driven organization, Front Porch understands that leadership is not just about managing tasks and people; it is about inspiring and guiding others toward a common goal. That is why our Managers in Motion program focuses on cultivating a strong sense of purpose among our leaders as well as a path to career growth. By equipping them with the necessary tools and resources, we aim to foster a strong culture that permeates throughout our organization. Watch a video to learn more.

I’m so proud of all of our MIMs. They are inspiring as they continue to learn and grow as leaders. 

— Lauren Moulton-Beaudry, Ed.D

Vice President of Ethics and Education

Front Porch

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Central to this thinking is celebrating the nature of each person and embracing the beauty of the diversity they bring. We honored this beauty earlier this month on Juneteenth and it’s worth highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion again as we close out Pride Month.

Celebrated each June throughout the United States and in many other countries of the world, Pride Month is a time to uplift LGBTQ+ voices, celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, support LGBTQ+ rights and recognize both the progress made, and work we still have to do, toward holistic equality. It is also a monthlong celebration of self-affirmation, love, dignity, equality and acceptance as well as the unapologetic pride that comes with being true to oneself. I am proud to be part of an organization that believes so strongly in these principles, not just during June’s Pride Month but throughout the year.

In keeping with our mission it is vitally important that we strive to create inclusive and welcoming environments for every person within our growing Front Porch community. It is important that we respect, appreciate and learn from our differences – and meet people where they are – even when we might not see eye to eye on everything. And it is important too that we commit ourselves to continual evolution through ongoing education and engagement and not let real or perceived barriers keep us apart. Is it any wonder then that the words CONNECT, COLLABORATE and EMBRACE CHANGE can be found among our core values and guiding principles? 

While each element of Front Porch may have its own distinct culture, in the nearly four months that I have been on board it has become abundantly clear to me that is it our shared values that bond us together. The more we can remain true to these values, the more we can build a true sense of “belonging” for residents and employees alike – for we know that building and inspiring community comes first and foremost from a sense of belonging. I thank each and every one of you for your commitment to these values and for joining in the ongoing journey of making us better and taking pride in the community that is Front Porch.

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Many have called Juneteenth America’s actual Independence Day. Although July 4th, 1776 marked the Declaration of Independence for some Americans, not all were free. It wasn’t until the summer of 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, that more than 250,000 Black and African Americans were finally freed from slavery. While President Lincoln signed the emancipation of the executive order ending slavery in the Confederacy in 1863, slave owners still sought to evade the order by moving enslaved people to westward of slaveholding states.

Juneteenth represents America’s struggle for true independence and freedom for all, not just some. It’s a day to honor those who fought for abolition and those who were finally freed. While this moment represents a step forward, it’s important to remember that the journey towards a “more perfect union” continues and we all can play a role.

What can we do to support this journey? We can support initiatives and programs that aim to promote diversity and equity. We can educate ourselves and learn more about Black history and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. We can support Black-owned businesses and donate to organizations committed to advocating for social justice.

For those over 65, be an active ally in support of younger generations in their advocacy for a more equitable society. Older adults are a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom from which young people can learn much. We invite you to offer your support. Share your lived experiences with your children and grandchildren or participate in discussions about social justice issues.

Let’s remember together that every step forward counts, and also together, we can move towards a more just society. Happy Juneteenth!

Sean Kelly, CEO Front Porch Communities & Services

The post Celebrating Juneteenth: Our Continued Awakening appeared first on Front Porch.

Senior Director for Resident Experience Rebecca Johnson created the program to support residents’ connection to the community and to one another. “We feel a sense of place but don’t necessarily articulate it,” says Johnson. This program allows residents to gather over time “to capture in your words why you feel as you do.”

Each Front Porch community has its own unique geography, Johnson explains. “When we hear the word geography we think, ‘mountains, landscapes,’ which is certainly part of it,” she says. “But geography is also everything that humans build. When we wrote the program, we were intentional about discussing both the physical and social aspects of geography.”

Sense of Place provides a safe environment for people who may not normally speak up in the community to address concerns. “Sense of Place is outside of the committee or council structure,” says Johnson. “Sometimes residents are looking for a new way to share their voice, a less formal way beyond the surveys and the committees that are already in place.”

“I marvel at people who have the ability to come forward and speak their thoughts,” said one resident participant at Friends House in Santa Rosa. “It doesn’t come as naturally to me, but after listening to others, I feel I can talk like that. I feel comfortable here. I feel I’m in the right place.”

Jeannie Pressey, executive director of Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa says that Sense of Place is “an additional opportunity to gain insight from the residents on what’s working well and what they would like to see improved.”

Unlike a resident survey that provides a quantitative snapshot of the community at a moment in time, Sense of Place collects qualitative information that “puts the how, why, and what together in one place,” explains Mary McMullin, chief advancement officer for Front Porch. “A survey will tell us you think your community is great. Sense of Place allows us to understand why you think it’s great. It helps us identify rather than guess about the true community that’s here.”

Because residents were speaking directly with someone in person or on Zoom “instead of simply filling out the boxes on a survey, I feel that they were more comfortable in sharing their viewpoints,” Pressey notes. “And their views were clearly communicated as opposed to checking a box that says ‘are you satisfied? 1, 2, 3.’ You get some context on what people are trying to say.”

The program was open to any residents who wanted to participate, and a range of residents chose to join. “Having new and long-term residents in the same setting was critical,” Johnson says. She notes that newer residents who may have only experienced their community in the wake of the COVID pandemic with its lockdown protocols have a very different perspective than long-term residents who can recall and explain a community’s traditions. Meeting together gave residents a broader perspective on what community feels like based on their individual experiences.

Johnson compiled insights gathered during each session into reports for each participating community’s executive director, incorporating resident feedback, key questions, and recommendations for follow-up programs. Mark Nitsche, who became the executive director of San Francisco Towers during the Sense of Place pilot program, read the reports as a way to became familiar with the community. They allowed him to “really listen to what people are saying,” he recalls.

“People believe the ED is the last word, but it’s collaborative,” Nitsche says. Sense of Place allowed residents “to be a voice for the community and how you want to see community going forward. The program builds a sense of awareness, a sense of hope, and a sense of belonging.”

After testing the program as a pilot project at three Front Porch communities in 2022, Sense of Place is preparing to launch in more communities this year and may later be developed for use beyond the Front Porch system. Johnson is also gathering a working group to develop a new program called ATLAS, designed specifically for the new resident experience.

“Sense of Place is an influencer in decision making,” Johnson says. “It’s a platform for prioritizing the things that mean the most to residents, and one of those priorities is how residents, especially new residents, develop a sense of belonging and attachment in community. ATLAS is our natural next step.

“I’ve learned so much from the resident participants by leading this program. Each community is unique, with its own sense of place. This program has helped me to understand at a deep level what’s important for residents in their particular community. I can’t wait to discover more as we move forward with Sense of Place.”

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Happy anniversary Wesley Palms! I think of Wesley Palms as the jewel of Pacific Beach. Tucked on the hillside of iconic Mt. Soledad overlooking Mission Bay and the Pacific, our main building, complete with signature chevron contour and classic midcentury modern architecture, has stood as a beacon for 60 years, predating the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Wesley Palms grew out of a vision that charted a new course in senior living. Until the late1950s, attitudes about senior care were limited to nursing homes and convalescent hospitals. Innovators began to imagine a new concept for more active, communal retirement living that is celebrated daily at Wesley Palms.

For decades, its cottages that dotted the campus, paid tribute to bungalows found at many Southern California beach communities. During its earliest days, Wesley Palms provided basic services to residents, but as the community evolved, those basics turned into a community that now offers gracious living with modern-day amenities.

Between 2015 and 2020 the campus was completely remodeled. Our main building underwent several renovations including a new library, indoor-outdoor dining room, new fitness center, lap pool and hydrotherapy pool.  All of the original cottages were replaced with midcentury modern-inspired Patio Homes that were carefully built around many of Wesley’s existing mature trees. These extraordinary residences feature sleek mosaic glass, cathedral ceilings, full, designer kitchens and large windows that celebrate nature by bathing each home with natural light, bringing the outdoors in.  Much of the campus landscape was replaced with drought-tolerant, environmentally friendly plants and shrubs.

As the result of the campus renovation, the community has won several awards, including those from the National Association of Home Builders and American Builders and Contractors Association. Wesley Palms has also won several “Best of San Diego” polls from readers of the San Diego Tribune.

Inspired renovation did not end with our Patio Homes. Over the years, Wesley Palms has also introduced innovative amenities and services such as Summer House, our unique memory care neighborhood that offers technology-enhanced personal care for residents with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in a protected and comfortable environment. Truly Yours is our brand of assisted living and personal services that bring assistance to residents’ homes if needed.

But to me, Wesley Palms is much more than first-class amenities and beautiful landscape. Like any true community, the residents are our greatest gift. Their energy and friendliness are what our community is all about. My goal since becoming executive director in 2007, and one that I pass on to our staff, is to make each resident feel special because this is their home. We do so by trying to create an environment of purpose, belonging, security, continuity, fulfilment and significance. We are truly a culture of people who care about one another.

Residents often tell me they wish they had moved here sooner. They enjoy learning new things by getting involved in the dozens of social, educational and well-being opportunities here. If anyone has a special hobby or passion, they are encouraged to continue it here. It may inspire other residents to join them. Wesley Palms has always been a great place to live and develop and maintain vital social connections.

Here’s to another 60 years and more of inspired senior living at Wesley Palms!

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