Have you ever considered that where you live plays an integral part of your health? From the environment itself to the offerings, support, and safety it provides, your home is your foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life. In celebration of senior living communities that embody this sentiment, the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) has announced its winners of the Beacon and Pinnacle Awards, recognizing North America’s top 25 retirement communities for wellness.
“This year’s [award] recipients embody the future of wellness in senior living,” said Colin Milner, ICAA’s founder and CEO. “Through their dedication and visionary leadership, these communities and individuals are redefining aging, showing us that wellness is a continuous journey; one that energizes and enriches life at every stage.”
In a testament to Moorings Park Communities’ unwavering commitment to luxury senior living, wellness, and innovation, all three of the organization’s Naples locations– Moorings Park, Moorings Park at Grey Oaks, and Moorings Park Grande Lake– have received the prestigious ICAA Beacon Award. The top five communities were further recognized with the esteemed Pinnacle Award, which Moorings Park and Moorings Park at Grey Oaks each achieved by being named the 4th and 5th best senior living communities in North America, respectively.
“Since its inception, Moorings Park Communities was designed around the concept that its residents would live longer, happier, and healthier lives,” says Dan Lavender, CEO and President of Moorings Park Communities. “Our goal is to change how the world ages, and we are constantly focused on finding ways to improve our wellness offerings that foster successful aging.”
Nestled within the vibrant city of Naples, Florida, ranked as the #1 Best Place to Live in the United States, Moorings Park Communities offers residents an unparalleled lifestyle. Imagine sunset walks across the Gulf of Mexico, enjoying world-class golf courses, exploring an abundance of recreational activities, and immersing yourself in a rich cultural scene. This idyllic setting provides the perfect backdrop for a fulfilling wellness-focused retirement experience that is supported by the number one healthcare system in the country.
Each resident’s journey at Moorings Park Communities begins with a wellness plan. Expert concierge physicians and wellness team members work together to create a unique plan for each individual that is backed by informed decisions that ensure needs are met at every level. Across each Moorings Park community, residents can conveniently access fitness centers, wellness programs, spa services, art studios, outpatient rehabilitative services, and cognitive zones, as well a full calendar of events that offers everything from resident-led groups and games to cocktail hours and local outings.
A culture built around wellness is known to foster longevity. According to the Age Well Study, designed by Mather Institute in collaboration with Northwestern University, residents of neighborhoods like Moorings Park Communities live exceptionally healthier, happier lives. They report and exhibit greater wellness and memory, maintain higher levels of life satisfaction, and feel a greater purpose in life compared to non-residents.
National Geographic researchers also determined that the average person’s lifespan is heavily influenced by environment and observed that areas around the world with high longevity and vitality all had major commonalities that related back to the lifestyle and habits that were being supported by their communities.
“Only about 20 percent of how long the average person lives is dictated by genes, while about 80 percent is influenced by lifestyle and environment,” said Dan Buettner, founder of the concept of Blue Zones®.
Considering how crucial the environment is when it comes to longevity, it’s no wonder why affluent boomers and seniors are flocking America’s number four-rated senior living destination.
As a Blue Zone-certified organization, Moorings Park Communities fosters habits shared by the world’s longest-living people, such as moving naturally, eating a balanced diet, and having a healthy social circle. Other important facets of Blue Zones are cultivated there too, like finding purpose and fulfillment through philanthropy, spirituality, and art, spending time with nearby loved ones, and downshifting with daily activities that reduce stress. All of these principles come together to create an award-winning, wellness-based lifestyle.
“Much of what makes our communities so popular are the things you can see right away: our beautiful views, spacious residences, state-of-the-art fitness centers, and elegantly designed common areas, but there is so much more to our communities than you can take in with a single visit,” says Celeste Lynch, Executive Director of Moorings Park Grande Lake. “For example, we regularly host symposiums where leading surgeons and professors from Yale and Johns Hopkins discuss the science of aging.”
These types of initiatives are what keep Moorings Park Communities on the cutting-edge of successful aging, but it takes more than a meticulously curate infrastructure and strategic partnerships to be recognized for redefining wellness. A visionary senior living organization needs visionary leaders.
With a career dedicated to serving seniors, CEO of Moorings Park Communities Dan Lavender received well-deserved recognition from the ICAA with the esteemed Pinnacle Award, which recognizes the top five wellness executives in North America.
"We are proud to recognize the exceptional commitment of leaders dedicated to making wellness a cornerstone of life for older adults," said Jane Benskey, NuStep's Marketing Communications Specialist. "The ICAA NuStep Beacon Awards celebrate not only the innovation but also the leadership and passion that drive meaningful change. By honoring outstanding wellness executives and directors alongside exemplary communities, we strive to inspire a future where older adults prosper in lively, inclusive communities that nurture their health and overall well-being.”
The Pinnacle Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of senior living and have demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Dan Lavender's visionary leadership has been instrumental in guiding Moorings Park Communities to become a nationally recognized leader in the industry. Under Mr. Lavender's leadership, Moorings Park Communities has consistently pushed the boundaries of senior living, offering innovative programs, state-of-the-art amenities, and a personalized approach to care.
Aging successfully is the mission that Moorings Park Communities was built on, and its leaders rely on innovation and creativity as they look to the future of wellness opportunities and experiences. The ICAA Beacon awards serve as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Moorings Park Communities team. By prioritizing resident well-being and fostering a vibrant and engaging community, the luxury senior living organization continues to set the standard for excellence in senior living.
Set amidst lush gardens, tranquil lakes, and beautifully landscaped lawns, Moorings Park Communities’ three Naples-based locations, Moorings Park, Moorings Park at Grey Oaks, and Moorings Park Grande Lake, enhance your quality of life by offering a luxury senior living lifestyle elevated by world-class healthcare and wellness opportunities amidst a stunning setting, and Moorings Park Grande Lake has partnered with London Bay to create yet another stunning Naples residence: Eagleview.