Vi Press Releases

Scottsdale Communities Voted Among State’s Top in ‘Best of Arizona’ Business Poll

Tue, 29 May 2012 12:00:00 CST

Arizona's largest business opinion poll ranks Vi at Grayhawk and Vi at Silverstone, both in Scottsdale, as among the best independent/assisted living communities in the state in its latest survey for 2012. Vi's communities were the only retirement communities located in Scottsdale to be named in the poll.

Vi at Grayhawk, a Vi and Plaza Companies community, ranked No. 1 in the category for the 11th executive year, according to this year's "Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Business." Vi at Silverstone, a Vi and Plaza Companies community, made the prestigious list for the first time this year, having just opened in 2010, ranking No. 8.

Staff of Arizona Business Magazine selects categories for the rankings. The categories are chosen based upon the business and leisure experiences of Arizona's business professionals, who then vote for their favorites in a variety of industries. Winners were honored at a special reception held in April.

"This is a very special recognition for our Vi communities because these rankings are based on the quality of our product and service," said Bill Sciortino, Vi's Senior Vice President of Operations. "Clearly, the members of Arizona's business and professional community have recognized our high standards of service and care distinguish Vi as the best."

This "Best of Arizona" recognition comes as the Care Center at Vi at Grayhawk has received the highest ranking of five stars overall in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 Best Nursing Homes report, and was named to the publication's "Honor Roll."

Also recently, Vi announced it had paid in full its construction loan for Vi at Silverstone well ahead of schedule. This makes Vi's continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the country, including Vi at Silverstone and Vi at Grayhawk, 100 percent free of third-party debt.
CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care). In addition to Vi at Grayhawk and Vi at Silverstone, Vi operates eight CCRCs and one rental community under a family of brands nationwide.

Late last year, Vi commissioned a report by Ken Dychtwald Ph.D., renowned gerontologist, psychologist, best-selling author, and CEO of Age Wave that challenges the "prevailing myths and misperceptions" about CCRC living. The report, "The Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities," is available in its entirety at Vi's website.

Vi Residents to Mark National Senior Health & Fitness Day

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 CST

Vi residents from across the United States will be among the more than 100,000 older adults who on May 30 will participate in this year's National Senior Health & Fitness Day, the nation's largest older adult health and fitness event, which is celebrating its 19th year in 2012.

Scheduled activities to mark the event at various Vi continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) will range far and wide. Vi at La Jolla Village, CA, will begin the day with a morning walk, which is only the first of a full schedule of activities to include tai chi, yoga, Wii™ bowling, line dancing and even a drumming session. Vi at Highlands Ranch, CO, will hold a lifestyle seminar and special dance. Vi at Aventura, FL, will be among the participants in a health fair to be held at Sunny Isles Beach.

"At Vi, we like to say boredom is not an option and this is especially true on this special day," said Bill Sciortino, Senior Vice President of Operations.

With more than 70 million baby boomers entering their retirement years, experts say for those 65 and over staying active and fit can spell the difference between independence and frailty. Older adults who are fit are likely to have a better quality of life and to live longer.

"As an aging strategy, wellness is more than the absence of disease," said Sciortino. "It's an approach to positive living that can lead to improved physical, mental and emotional health. We deliver services and care at Vi with an approach based on whole-person wellness, which definitely includes a physical dimension."

Recently, Vi commissioned a report by Ken Dychtwald Ph.D., renowned gerontologist, psychologist, best-selling author, and CEO of Age Wave that challenges the "prevailing myths and misperceptions" about CCRC living, including the myth that CCRCs are "filled with old people who are sick and dying."

The reality, according to the report, is that many people choose CCRCs to pursue opportunities for new learning, new activities and a "new chapter in life."

Download the report here

CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

Organized as a public/private good health partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center (MMRC), Senior Health & Fitness Day will offer fitness activities for older adults at more than 1,000 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments and other community locations. The event is always held on the last Wednesday in May as part of Older Americans Month activities.

Dr. Gary Small emphasizes healthy aging strategies like those offered at CCRCs

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

Many of the specific lifestyle strategies that may delay the possible onset of dementia are common to the environments found at quality continuing care retirement communities, according to Gary Small, M.D., best-selling author, educator and Alzheimer's expert.

"With many people living longer and a greater percentage of the population susceptible to the disease, how well we age has much to do with lifestyle," Dr. Small, author of the new book, "The Alzheimer's Prevention Program." "And from what I've seen, quality Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer the types of environments that can make a difference - for the resident who makes the choice to take advantage of what's available."

In a tour promoting his book about Alzheimer's prevention, Dr. Small recently visited different Vi CCRCs across the country. Vi is a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities.

"To stave off Alzheimer's symptoms, we recommend in our book lifestyles that include the following: physical conditioning, such as 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise; healthy diets with lots of antioxidants; stress reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation; and brain exercises like learning memory techniques and talking to friends instead of watching TV," Dr. Small said.

In the minds of many of the residents who live in a Vi community, Dr. Small could be describing life at a quality CCRC, according to Bill Sciortino, senior vice president of operations for Vi.

"All the things Dr. Small talks about - physical conditioning, mental stimulation, stress reduction and healthy diets - are part of life at Vi continuing care retirement communities," Sciortino said.

CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

"At Vi, our residents live in comfortable, stylish and maintenance-free homes, have weekly housekeeping services, and have fewer responsibilities like the ones they'd have had if they'd stayed in their previous homes - the chores, errands, ongoing maintenance and costs of upkeep," Sciortino said. "They're now living on their own terms with greater independence and less stress."

He added that Vi residents enjoy dining prepared by chefs who have received customized training provided by the Culinary Institute of America on nutrition, healthy cooking and baking techniques, flavor dynamics, and food and wine pairing.
Also, to embrace wellness, Sciortino said Vi's strategy, like those espoused by Dr. Small in his book, is an approach to positive living that can lead to improved physical, mental and emotional health. "From fitness classes and on-site services, to social gatherings and cultural outings, we tailor our offerings to the needs and abilities of our residents in each of our communities," Sciortino said. "Residents can join friends at a tai chi class, join a writers' workshop or spend the day shopping. At Vi, boredom is not an option."

Download "The Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities."

About Vi
Vi, formerly Classic Residence by Hyatt, was founded in 1987 as a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. The company is dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by providing quality environments, services and care. Vi currently operates ten continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and one rental community under a family of brands nationwide.

About Gary Small
Dr. Small is a professor of psychiatry and director of the UCLA Longevity Center at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior. His research, supported by the National Institutes of Health, has made headlines in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today. Scientific American magazine named him one of the world's leading innovators in science and technology. He has written six books, including The New York Times best seller, The Memory Bible.

Vi at Grayhawk Receives 5-Star Ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 Report

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

The Care Center at Vi at Grayhawk, a Vi and Plaza Companies Community, received the highest ranking of five stars overall in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 Best Nursing Homes report, and was named to the publication's "Honor Roll." The Care Center is one of only 39 nationwide to be named to the publication's prestigious list.

The full report is available here .

The rankings highlight communities across the nation that provide high-quality care and are a valuable tool for millions of older adults and their families in search of a nursing care residence.

The U.S. News Best Nursing Homes report profiles more than 15,000 communities and ranks them by state, using data and quality ratings from the federal government. The rankings are updated quarterly.

The rankings rely on information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that sets and enforces quality standards for all homes enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid. Homes receive an overall rating of one to five stars from the government based on the number of stars earned in three categories: health inspections, nurse staffing and quality of care.

John Koselak, Executive Director of Vi at Grayhawk said, "We are so proud to have received a five-star ranking because it confirms the quality of skilled nursing care we provide to residents every day. An important element of maintaining a great community is setting high standards and providing staff with education and ongoing training."

The Care Center at Vi at Grayhawk is part of a continuing care retirement community in North Scottsdale, offering distinctive services and amenities. The community provides residents a lifestyle focused on wellness and vitality to support successful aging.

About Vi

Vi, formerly Classic Residence by Hyatt, was founded in 1987 as a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. The company is dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by providing quality environments, services and care. Vi currently operates ten continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and one rental communities under a family of brands nationwide.

About Plaza Companies

Plaza Companies, based in Peoria, Arizona, is an award-winning leader in the development and management of medical office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, and senior housing communities. Founded in 1982, Plaza Companies is a full-service firm with a portfolio of more than 5.5 million square feet valued at more than $1 billion.

The CCRC Option is a "New Life Chapter" for Many

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST

One commonly held attitude about continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) is that they're "filled with old people who are sick and dying." But a new report by renowned gerontologist Ken Dychtwald Ph.D dispels the myth and examines the misconceptions behind these attitudes and beliefs.

"For some, the thought of visiting a CCRC conjures up images of sickness, decline and dying," said Dychtwald, psychologist, gerontologist, best-selling author, and CEO of Age Wave. "They resist moving to a CCRC because they view it as their 'final resting place' or 'exit strategy.' They put off the decision as long a possible. They think that someday they may consider moving, but today, the say, 'I'm not quite ready.'"

The reality, according to the report, is that many people choose CCRCs to pursue opportunities for new learning, new activities and a "new chapter in life."Titled "Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities," Age Wave's report and supporting research were commissioned by Vi, a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. Download the full report here.

According to the report, many people have the mistaken belief that CCRCs are like nursing homes, or that life there is boring and uneventful. "These are images people have of visits years ago with grandparents and relatives living in an old-style nursing home, which at that time were often institutional, highly medical, and lacking in privacy," Dychtwald said.

The reality of living in a CCRC today is quite different, according to the report. CCRCs offer opportunities to engage in activities ranging from lectures, art workshops, exercise classes, events and clubs. As a result, living at a CCRC can offer far more mental stimulation and social engagement than staying in one's current home.

For those who want to postpone moving from their current home until they're too unhealthy to live there, the report finds that today, deciding to move to a CCRC is typically a proactive lifestyle move, rather than a reaction triggered or forced by poor health or other negative event.

CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

About Age Wave
Founded in 1986, Age Wave is the nation's foremost thought leader on population aging and its business, social, healthcare, financial, workforce and cultural implications. Under the leadership of Founder/CEO Dr. Ken Dychtwald, Age Wave has developed a unique understanding of the body, mind, hopes and demands of new generations of maturing consumers and workers and their expectations, attitudes, hopes, and fears regarding retirement.

Vi, Age Wave Examine Benefits of CCRC Senior Living Option

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST

Believing "it will be easy to get any care I need at home," many individuals planning where to live in their post-retirement years give short shrift to the real financial and emotional toll of at-home care, according to one of five senior-living myths challenged in a new report by renowned gerontologist Ken Dychtwald Ph.D.

"The myth is that it will be easy to get any care needed in the home," said Dychtwald, psychologist, gerontologist, best-selling author and CEO of Age Wave. "The reality is that care at home can be difficult and costly, while senior living options like continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer a seamless solution for most care needs that may arise in later life."

Titled "Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities," Age Wave's report and supporting research were commissioned by Vi.

According to the report, care at home can be unpredictable and the cost extremely high, whereas, depending on the type of CCRC one chooses, future care costs are more predictable and may require only minimal additional charges.

Also, managing care at home in the middle of an unexpected health crisis can be challenging both for the individual and the family. Care needs have to be assessed, a care plan must be developed, care providers need to be screened and selected and quality of care must be carefully overseen and managed.

"All of this puts a tremendous burden on family members," Dychtwald said. "CCRCs on the other hand can create a seamless solution that moves the burden from the family while predictable care costs remove worry about the future of one's health."

As one CCRC resident said in the report: "It's the best thing you can do for your children because you've already put in place all the systems to handle the problems that are going to come up, rather than asking your kids to do that. It's a great gift to the next generation, to have put that all in place."

CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

Vi Commitment To Employee Development Recognized With Several Awards

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST

Vi, one of the nation's leading older adult living companies, has announced that, for the second consecutive year, it is a recipient of national awards that recognize excellence in employee training and development from Training Magazine, Chief Learning Officer Magazine and ELearning!

"Vi is honored to be nationally recognized as a leader in creating and supporting programs that sustain and enhance employee development," said Judy Whitcomb, Vice President of Human Resources and Learning and Organizational Development for Vi. " We know that a focus on training and development is absolutely critical to attracting and retaining the best talent in the senior living industry."

Vi has been selected as one of the top 125 organizations that excel at employee development by Training Magazine, while Chief Learning Officer Magazine has announced that Vi is one of a select few organizations that have been granted the "LearningElite" designation which goes to the best organizations for learning and development. Additionally, Vi has been named an ELearning! 100 award winner in recognition of its learning culture, innovation and organizational performance.

Culture of Learning is Alive at Vi

Whitcomb said that the national honors are representative of a culture of learning and development that is present throughout Vi. "Vi invests heavily in giving employees the opportunities to learn and grow.

"Professional development - whether it takes the form of continuing education, leveraging our award-winning online university, or learning from team members - is a key commitment we offer employees at Vi," continued Whitcomb. "Ongoing learning, growth, and education are supported throughout the organization. Whether employees work in a dining room, kitchen, resident care, housekeeping, or sales, Vi provides opportunities to refine existing skills and acquire new knowledge and experience."

For example, executive chefs and directors of dining services from all 10 continuing care retirement communities recently attended a training summit focused on healthy, nutritional meal preparation for the senior palate. The four-day educational meeting was held at the campus of one of the leading culinary schools in the United States.

About Vi

Vi Senior Dining Staff participate in Culinary Institute of America Leadership Summit

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

Executive chefs and directors of dining services from Vi continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the country attended a recent leadership training summit focusing on healthy, nutritional meal preparation for the senior palate, service excellence and leadership. The four-day educational meeting was held at the San Antonio, TX campus of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world's premier culinary college.

"This CIA summit is part of a continuing learning process for Vi chefs to stay abreast of the latest trends, techniques, and best practices in dining for older adults," said Bill Sciortino, Vi's senior vice president of operations. "It helps us to ensure that we're providing a healthy lifestyle to our residents by providing them cuisine that satisfies nutritional needs, tastes good, and is delivered by our fine staff of dining service professionals. This is especially important because we know that aging has an effect on taste buds, which can cause older adults to improperly change their diet."

All Vi chefs received ongoing training from CIA Chef Mark Ainsworth on nutrition, healthy cooking and baking techniques, flavor dynamics, and food and wine pairing. Vi menus offer a wide variety of options to suit residents' tastes and preferences, including regional favorites, traditional home-style meals and new recipes. Each of Vi's 10 CCRCs features stylish dining venues and elegant private dining rooms, enabling residents to eat well and always dine in style.

"The benefits of a healthier diet are well known among the younger population and recent studies indicate that individuals should not give up eating nutritious foods as they age," said Vi's Sciortino. "One study, by the University of Maryland, suggests that older adults in their 70s who eat healthy foods increase their longevity."

The Culinary Institute of America, through its Menu Research and Flavor Discovery Initiative, also is conducting research on senior dining. The project involves a series of focus groups at Vi communities and online surveys to gain insight into pertinent food and dining issues for seniors.

According to Dr. Chris Loss, PhD, director of the Department of Menu R&D at The Culinary Institute of America, one of the common themes emerging during these focus groups and online surveys is that meals are a very important part of seniors' daily activities. The dining experience provides a stimulating social environment that fosters engaging discussion and plays a central role in their overall quality of life.

This fact corroborates a similar finding in a recently released study by Vi and Age Wave that found that CCRC living provides residents with the opportunity to meet, learn from, and engage in new activities with positive, stimulating, like-minded people who can make life brighter and fuller.

"You can bet much of this happens over a wonderful, healthy meal," said Sciortino.
A continuing care retirement community offers independent living with a combination of a private residences, services, amenities, and care (for example, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing care).

About Vi
Vi, formerly Classic Residence by Hyatt, was founded in 1987 as a developer, owner, and operator of older adult living communities. The company is dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by providing quality environments, services, and care. Vi currently operates ten continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and one rental community under a family of brands nationwide.

About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts as well as certificate programs in culinary arts, Latin cuisines, and wine and beverage studies. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world cuisines & cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a network of 44,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Johnny Iuzzini, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi.

Vi, Age Wave Weigh Costs Of Staying Put vs. Moving to CCRC

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

When considering where they're going to live in their post-retirement years, many homeowners with paid-off mortgages may incorrectly assume that it's less expensive to stay put than move into a senior living option like a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). This represents one of five senior-living myths challenged in a new report by renowned gerontologist Ken Dychtwald Ph.D.

"The myth is that it's less expensive and more financially secure for one to stay in their current home," said Dychtwald, psychologist, gerontologist, best-selling author and CEO of Age Wave. "The reality is that, even though your mortgage may be paid off, monthly expenses to maintain your home and your lifestyle may be higher than you realize and less predictable as your home ages or you are less able to physically manage the home. When combined with potential care costs, living in your current home may end up being the most expensive option."

Titled "Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities," Age Wave's report and supporting research were commissioned by Vi, a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities.

According to the report there are several misconceptions that can lead people to miscalculate the costs of living in their current home versus the costs of living in a senior living option like a CCRC.

People think it's inexpensive to stay in their current home, but a side-by-side comparison of the costs of living in a CCRC to the costs of living in your current home may reveal many surprises.

The report provides a list of typical expenses - mortgage/rent/assessments, property tax, homeowners insurance, food, utilities, housekeeping, lawn/garden care, maintenance/repairs, health club memberships, entertainment/activities - most of which are included in the CCRC monthly fee.

"When you take the time to calculate what you now spend in your current home, you may find your expenses greater than the total cost of living in a CCRC," Dychtwald said.

The report also finds that many believe they'll be able to pay for long-term care, if and when it's needed.

"Without any plan, paying for the costs of long-term care can be financially devastating," he said. "Many people still don't realize that many of these costs are not covered by Medicare. And while long-term care insurance can be a wise investment, even this type of insurance does not always cover all costs."

According to the report, the monthly fees at a CCRC often include fees for assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care, should they ever be needed.
"Clearly, when considering where to live in your post-retirement years, it's worth looking at all the options available and comparing the real costs," Dychtwald, said.
CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

CCRCs Offer Opportunities to Build New Relationships

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

A new report by renowned gerontologist Ken Dychtwald Ph.D. challenges the popular myth that one's current home is the best option to continue an active social life and stay connected during post retirement years.

"The reality is that that remaining in your home can result in growing isolation and loneliness in later life," said Dychtwald, psychologist, gerontologist, best-selling author and CEO of Age Wave. "Senior living options, like a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), offer opportunities to create new friendships and social connections."

According to the report, friendships and close social connections are an essential source of happiness, and people age 60 and over are most likely to cite "living family and friends" as extremely important to their happiness - more important than money or even health.

Yet, the report says, it is not uncommon for people who stay in their current home during post retirement to find that their friends and family move away, and many can feel increasingly lonely or isolated in their current home. Studies show that having low social interaction is as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day, is as dangerous as being an alcoholic, is as harmful as never exercising, and is twice as dangerous as obesity.

According to the report, residents of CCRCs say that it is the opportunity to meet, learn from, and engage in new activities with positive, stimulating, like-minded people that can make life brighter and fuller.

Said one interviewee in the report: "The No. 1 benefit is that you're surrounded by successful, interesting people. You have a pretty good chance of finding people who may make an impact on your life."

In addition, the report said, residents often describe the staff as an "extended family," which, together with visits from family and opportunities to meet family members of other residents, helps to create a dynamic, multigenerational social environment.

CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

About Vi
Vi, formerly Classic Residence by Hyatt, was founded in 1987 as a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. The company is dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by providing high quality environments, services and care. Vi currently operates ten continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and one rental community under a family of brands nationwide.