5 Ways the Lifestyle Department at Vi at Highlands Ranch is Keeping the Community Spirit Thriving During the Pandemic
The Lifestyle Department at Vi at Highlands Ranch has always sought to help residents connect with each other and to discover new passions and hobbies in retirement. However, just like the rest of the world, we have had to adapt to a new normal as stay-at-home orders continue to shift across the country. As many residents choose to spend more time in their apartments, our Lifestyle Department, with the help of staff members across all departments, jumped into action to find creative ways to bring the sense of community and connection to the residents.
“I’m so impressed with how much everyone has stepped up to help, from each and every staff member to residents, too,” shared Director of Resident Services Rachel Wang.
Below, discover just a few of the ways that staff members keep residents engaged and connected while keeping them safely apart:
1. Dining in and al fresco.
On the culinary side, our teams have shifted seamlessly from dine-in to delivery, even adding opportunities to surprise and delight with birthdays, holidays and just-because days observed with personalized treats, notes and themed meals delivered directly to front doors.
The team also places weekly grocery orders for residents to keep them stocked with essential staples and anything they might need should they wish to cook at home.
And residents are also now enjoying meeting their neighbors outside for limited, appropriately spaced happy hours, lunches or dinners.
2. Staying fit and having fun.
Our team works together to bring the same fitness and wellness programs offered in the gym to our residents directly via the community TV channel. Yoga, meditation and functional fitness classes are staggered throughout the day to ensure residents can partake as their schedules allow. Residents are encouraged to get outside and enjoy the outdoor spaces within the community, and at Vi at Highlands Ranch that means hitting the nearby hiking trails.
3. Going techie
Staff and tech savvy residents work together to get the less technologically inclined comfortable with online communication tools like Zoom and FaceTime® Voice and Video Calling.
And Lifestyle Directors across all 10 Vi communities pooled their collective research and resources to bring a new selection of virtual entertainment to residents every day, including museum tours, online classes, movies and more within an app that all residents can access.
4. Encouraging connections.
With residents set up with user-friendly voice and video calling apps, existing groups and clubs were able to resume meetings, from book clubs to choir practices. Residents also host online luncheons, happy hours and dinner parties.
And the Lifestyle Department facilitated the return of a little friendly competition and camaraderie by equipping residents with access and instructions to virtual group Bridge games. Residents can set up games against fellow Vi residents from the comfort of home.
5. Getting creative.
And as for entertainment, staff members from every department pulled out all the stops.
In addition to curating and delivering content like movies and lectures through “Stir Crazy,” part of a mobile app provided to all Vi residents, staff conceptualized and recorded their own videos.
Chef Greg Strickland and his team have created a series of cooking demonstrations and virtual wine tastings that residents enjoy from the comfort of their apartments via the community TV channel.
“Our residents are really enjoying these new interactive experiences, especially when it involves new recipes and flavors,” said Rachel.
And the creativity and resourcefulness of staff members at the community show no signs of stopping. Every day, they continue to find new ways to connect with residents and to connect residents with each other. And residents appreciate the hard work.
“Across the board, our residents have been incredibly positive and supportive of the staff and each other,” said Rachel.
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We’ll be in touch soon to share expert insights and resident perspectives that we hope are helpful, and one of our team members will also be reaching out to answer any questions you may have.
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