Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted: Fostering Healthy and Vibrant Communities.

Abstract

Creating a therapeutic milieu, an environment and corresponding culture in which physical activity, social support, engagement, and learning are encouraged, makes a diff erence in residents’ quality of life in a retirement community (Bekhet & Zauszniewski, 2011; Shives, 2008). Th is editorial highlights how an evidence-informed wellness program called Th rive fosters a healthy community and high quality of life through the development of a therapeutic milieu. Th rive is a multifaceted, evidenceinformed wellness program developed by a team of senior living staff and residents (Era Living) and local university faculty and students. Th rive supports healthy aging by providing a therapeutic milieu for residents at all stages of care including independent, assisted living, and memory care. Residents who participate in Th rive have the opportunity to learn new health behaviors (e.g., guided meditation), become involved in group activities (e.g., discussion groups about contemporary issues, men’s or women’s groups, Life Refl ections), join social circles that encourage optimism (e.g., the Sunshine Club), and volunteer in the community (e.g., help at the local food bank and library, help new Americans with English skills). Th rive participation rates are between 50% and 70% of the resident population in each of Era Living’s eight communities. Th e following Th rive examples highlight individuals who benefi ted from participation in Th rive and show not everything that counts can be counted.