It's the Journey of the Century for Older Adults

Classic Residence by Hyatt has introduced a new lifestyle program designed specifically to stimulate residents' social, emotional, and intellectual wellness by encouraging them to celebrate the experiences and innovations of the Greatest Generation. The program, "The American Century," which was rolled out at multiple Classic Residence by Hyatt retirement communities this spring, invites both independent living residents and those living in the care centers, to revisit both the historical and popular experiences and innovations of the 20th century decade by decade.

"The American Century," developed by the lifestyle enrichment team at Classic Residence by Hyatt, is a senior living program that encourages residents to recall memories in a setting that fosters collective reminiscing and gives them an opportunity for socialization. Together residents enjoy era-specific foodstuffs created by Classic Residence by Hyatt chefs, or engage in discussion groups exploring major and minor historical events.

Each month, the program moves through the 20th century chronologically, encouraging residents to have fun remembering and exploring the food, music, fashion, politics, popular culture, arts, entertainment, and innovations that defined each decade. These vary from a night at a speakeasy to watching Milton Berle on television, planting a victory garden, remembering Norman Rockwell's famous magazine covers, reading Erma Bombeck, cooking with Julia Child, or recalling fads (Moon Pies, Marshmallow Fluff, Silly Putty, Barbie™ disco, Rubik's Cube-for example, "When did you eat your first FlufferNutter?"). Some discussions feature guest speakers and focus on more controversial topics, such as the internment camps for Japanese-Americans, the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and the suffragist movement.

The program can be customized to meet the varying social, emotional and intellectual needs of all residents. Residents in the community care centers, including those living with Alzheimer's or dementia, reap the benefits of cognitive stimulation by activating their long-term memory through multi-sensory experiences such as food, music, props, and images of a familiar era.

"'The American Century' program provides our residents and their families with the opportunity to truly connect in a meaningful way that makes a difference," said Julie Stevens, director of lifestyle enrichment, Classic Residence by Hyatt. "The residents and staff who are participating are really enjoying themselves."

Classic Residence by Hyatt is committed to developing original lifestyle programs that contribute to whole-person wellness and enhance the lives of the older adult residents at its retirement communities. The company's broad range of programming is designed to address multiple dimensions of an individual's personal wellness, such as vocational, emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and intellectual, at every level, from independent living and assisted living to skilled nursing care.