Sweetwater Life Enrichment

Life Enrichment Philosophy

The Sweetwater Life Enrichment philosophy is lived out in a four-pronged approach:

• Lifelong Learning Mindset – We are so passionate about providing an environment that supports continuous learning at any age that we developed Primrose* Senior University.
• Signature Engagement Programming with Full-Time Staff – Our focus is on Intentional Engagements, which facilitate lasting connections.  By utilizing support from our Home Office, ideas and best practices shared from other communities across the country, and the interests and preferences of our residents, our full-time Life Enrichment Coordinators build programs that are tailored to our residents.
• Wellness Wheel Model – Our Wellness Wheel ensures that our programming includes areas that engage the whole person by utilizing the Six Dimensions of Wellness.  This is the standard by which we measure our monthly programming.
• Family Connections – Sweetater utilizes specialized software that allows for greater family connection and communication.  This complimentary tool can aid our staff in capturing special moments to share with family and friends while optimizing resident-focused care.

Contact us to visit our community during an activity and see why our residents say, “This is living!”

Signature Engagement with a Lifelong Learning Mindset

Primrose* Senior University (PSU) held its first class in 2018, and since that time, we have had thousands of Sweetwater residents learning, laughing, and creating. Our senior living residents have lived purposeful lives filled with unique experiences and are the epitome of what we call Lifelong Learners.

As part of our commitment to enrich and engage the daily lives of our residents, every community is filled with opportunities to learn, create, share, discuss and engage. Residents come together and share their own life experiences while recalling past events and learning new things.

As part of our intellectual programming, PSU includes topics chosen by our residents varying from themes including the Civil War, specific decades, Norman Rockwell, and the Roosevelts. 

Each theme is packed with lifelong learning opportunities such as 

• Slide presentations
• Group discussions
• Documentaries
• Brain exercises
• Short story reading groups

While our residents choose how much or how often they desire to participate, our staff-facilitated classes create strong feelings of purpose and belonging, improve quality of life, and enhance self-worth and confidence.

Wellness Wheel Model

Providing a variety of programming reflective our each of our resident’s interests is best achieved by offering a wide variety of programming based on our Six Dimensions of Wellness.

• Purposeful – Creating opportunities to connect our residents back to the community is achieved by offering opportunities to volunteer and mentor. Sewing or knitting clubs, gardening, flower arranging, and intergenerational opportunities are only a few samples of what you may see on our calendars.
• Emotional – This Dimension of Wellness stimulates the senses and moves us at a deeper level that may include musical opportunities, pet visits, poetry and painting, book clubs, virtual travel experiences, baking, and reminiscent groups in addition to penning the past, genealogy, and study groups. 
• Physical – Keeping our bodies working at optimum levels is best achieved through a variety of exercises and games that include stretch, balance, yoga, and cardio classes.  All exercises can be completed seated or standing based on the resident’s preference.
• Spiritual – Spiritual wellness is a connection to something bigger than ourselves through traditional faith practices, personal beliefs or principles. Sweetwater offers many opportunities to keep your spiritual connection intact through worship services, bible studies, prayer or meditation groups, yoga, music, and even nature outings.
• Intellectual – This aspect of programming always has the element of learning something new.  Our PSU classes, lunch and learn events, documentaries, foreign languages, study clubs, visits to museums, and church history tours are a few of the ways we promote Lifelong Learning.
• Social – Connecting with peers is important and Sweetwater offers multiple opportunities daily where our residents can enjoy each other’s company. Gathering for morning coffee, ice cream socials, happy hour, and live music are a few of the more popular events. Tailgating, birthdays or other annual celebrations, and board or card games are a few more additional social interactions that are available in our community. 

Technology Partners for Senior Wellness and Connection

Sprio100®: Wellness & Exercise
Sweetwater Retirement is proud to partner with Sprio100®, a state-of-the-art exercise and wellness resource for the Sweetwater Life Enrichment team. This virtual online resource gives on-demand access to educational workshops, customizable exercise programs, and live weekly workshops. All resources are designed specifically for older adults and offer fun, engaging, and accessible ways to stay physically active, no matter their fitness level while cultivating a supportive community of individuals who share similar health and fitness goals.

Coro Health®: Music & Faith
Another Life Enrichment program partner is Coro Health®. Their philosophy is care uses music and faith first, before traditional medical interventions, to improve health outcomes featuring music spanning decades. The programs are designed to aid digestion during meals, gently building momentum to wake up each day, singalongs for social gatherings, restful compilations for relaxation or sleep, and much more.