Recipient of the 2020 ICAA NuStep Pinnacle and Beacon Awards, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown offers wellness opportunities for staff and residents to address unique needs
The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and NuStep recognized Masonic Village at Elizabethtown with the Pinnacle Award and Beacon Award for being among the best-in-class for successfully fostering a wellness-centered environment to benefit all who live and work in their community.
The ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award goes to those ranked the top 5 “Best in Wellness” senior living communities in North America. The Beacon Award goes to organizations ranked among the top 25 communities.
Masonic Village’s wellness opportunities include farm-to-table meal choices and 12 miles of walking paths. A holistic wellness center features fitness and aquatic classes and professional staff. To address mental and social health, Masonic Village offers dozens of resident support groups and clubs and courses on mental health. Assistance with residents’ transitions from one care level to the next is also a priority. Resident participation on committees and meetings hosted by executive director Mike Rowe empower residents and staff to provide input on programs and initiatives.
Considering the wellness of employees at work and at home, Masonic Village offers benefits for employees in need including free and discounted meals, vacation sharing and assistance for emergency situations. Thanks to the Congregation of Sell Chapel’s Outreach Ministry and the Helping Hands Fund, $26,297 was provided to staff in 2019. It also provides staff with incentives for annual physical exams and nutrition counseling and free wellness center memberships.
“Across all disciplines, departments and living areas at Masonic Village, we strive to give people a variety of opportunities to live well and feel their best,” Stacy Schroder, director of wellness and prevention, said. “This journey looks different to each individual, so it’s important to offer more than just a gym or classes. You have to consider the whole person and what motivates and fulfills them.”
ICAA and NuStep, LLC, created the Beacon awards as a joint effort. ICAA is an association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. NuStep is a major manufacturer of recumbent cross-trainers.
