CAI-NJ July 2020(w)

LIFESTYLE PROGRAMMING Has Been Changed Forever By Michael Mendillo, President, and Michelle Kithcart, Director of Lifestyle Programming, FirstService Residential, AAMC

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W e certainly could not have predicted what was headed our way but on March 16, 2020, but we instantly learned that we were considered essential workers – not those on the front line, of course – but nonetheless, this was a role we wore as a badge of honor. It was that day that we proactively began working collab- oratively to create guidelines, set protocols and create our programming – ‘Lifestyle@Home’. We saw from the onset, the enormous impact these orders were going to have on our lifestyle communities. The health and safety of our residents, associates and vendors were at the forefront of our mission. At this stage, it was very important that programs or check-in systems were put into place within communities. These programs helped ensure

all residents had access to the help they needed. These pro- grams organized at the local level connected and impacted not only the receiver of the service but the volunteer as well. A simple phone call during these uncertain times impacted residents’ lives in ways we will only understand months or even years from now. The need for support, guidance and solutions were very important at the very beginning of this global crisis in order for residents to maintain their healthy and active lifestyles. With people home practicing social distancing, teams had to pioneer and offer a new kind of programming for residents – virtual! At a time when there were so much anx- iety and uncertainty, programs and opportunities came as a welcome diversion. Over the past few months, our teams have CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 22

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