Our Communities That Shine Awards program celebrates senior living communities that use innovative strategies to help residents live with purpose, passion, and joy. Our winner spotlight series highlights one award winner at a time, sharing what makes their community shine.
In this spotlight, we're featuring Palo Alto Commons, winner of the Brilliance in Resident Empowerment Award, for creating a community where residents are empowered to not only participate in programming, but contribute by making it their own.
Residents plan and lead programs based on their own interests, from monthly wine tastings to karaoke.
Residents take greater ownership of their social lives through daily updates and reminders via community technology.
Shared photos and community updates give families meaningful ways to stay involved and celebrate residents’ experiences.
For us, resident empowerment means residents have a voice in what happens here and the freedom to turn their interests and ideas into experiences the whole community can enjoy.
When residents see their ideas reflected on the calendar, it creates a real sense of ownership. They aren’t just participating in community life—they’re helping shape it. And we see the confidence, pride, and sense of purpose that builds.
Our residents organize and host a monthly wine tasting that they planned and added to the community calendar themselves. This event feels especially meaningful because it’s created by them, for them.
In another instance, a group of our residents independently purchased and set up a karaoke machine. Karaoke quickly became a community favorite event, creating a fun space for residents to express themselves through singing and sometime dancing, try something new, and cheer each other on.
Consistent communication makes a big difference. Residents receive daily updates, reminders, and announcements through LifeLoop so they know what is happening and how they can participate.
That visibility helps residents make their own choices about how they spend their time. Some may be excited to attend a concert or lecture, while others gravitate toward art, yoga, flower arranging, or an outing that gets them off campus. When we understand residents’ interests and participation patterns, we can also offer a personal invitation or adapt an experience for someone who may be more comfortable in a smaller group.
Families are an important part of community life. Our activity team regularly shares and tags photos so families can easily follow their loved ones’ experiences. We also review LifeLoop each week to make sure families are connected and receiving updates.
Through shared photos and updates, they can see their loved ones forming connections, exploring interests, and enjoying experiences throughout the day.
In one case, a resident’s daughter asked if her mother could join our Holiday Lights Bus Tour. Within hours of the outing, our team shared photos of her mom smiling and enjoying the experience on the bus. Her daughter could immediately see that her mother was participating and having a wonderful time.
Those moments provide more than reassurance. They give families something specific to talk about during their next phone call or visit and help them continue encouraging the activities their loved one enjoys.
This connection is especially meaningful for families of memory care residents or those who cannot visit frequently. Families have expressed their gratitude for photos showing their loved ones attending concerts, creating art, practicing yoga, arranging flowers, joining lectures, or heading out on community trips.
It starts with recognizing that every resident has something valuable to contribute.
We make it a priority to listen, encourage their ideas, and help create the space for those ideas to grow.
When residents feel like they’re helping to create the culture around them, they feel seen, empowered, and excited to engage with others.
That sense of ownership is part of what makes Palo Alto Commons shine.
Love hearing these community stories? Visit Senior Living Heroes for more stories from passionate life enrichment professionals about how they help residents rediscover purpose, connect with their community, and live with joy.