Heaton Woods Residence

What is our organization’s specific goal?:

The mission of Living Well Group is to create a model of whole-person elder care that honors, respects and elevates each individual while redefining aging in America. What is our strategy to achieve this goal?:

Incorporated as a 501 c (3) non-profit in 2004, Living Well Group is licensed by the state of Vermont as a Level III residential care organizati

on addressing health disparities in our greater community through innovative approaches and outreach programs. Living Well’s approach is resident-focused care for elders that promotes well-being within a wide range of community connections. We operate two residential care homes in Burlington (Ethan Allen Residence) and Montpelier (Heaton Woods Residence) Vermont. We provide compassionate, innovative programming with a focus on well-being and ecological responsibility including art, music, and movement therapies; coordinating primary care physicians/specialists with on-site nursing; promoting wellness through quality nutrition and integrative approaches to physical health; community engagement and enrichment activities (on- and off-site); population-based care for Veterans; ongoing professional development and education for our employees. How is our organization having an impact in a unique or innovative way? At Living Well Group we believe in endless possibilities, potential, and vitality for our residents. Our philosophy of conscious aging promotes a new journey that offers our residents opportunities to grow, learn, share, thrive, build confidence and become healthier. At Living Well Residences, we do not see aging as an illness defined by limitations, but instead by the potential that can be achieved through love and encouragement. How do we measure our impact?:

We operate two residential care homes in Burlington (Ethan Allen Residence) and Montpelier (Heaton Woods Residence) Vermont. We provide engaging activities that help prevent social isolation, keep residents healthy, and that bring the community into our residences as well as bringing our residents out into the community. Living Well makes an extraordinary effort to provide a safe, secure, and enriching environment to Medicaid-eligible, vulnerable seniors in Vermont. We will never ask a resident to leave because they can no longer afford to live at our residence. Examples of stories that capture our impact:

With the protection of the most vulnerable seniors as a primary objective, we measure our organization's impact by the percentage of our resident population that is low to moderate-income.

~ Living Well Group (LWG) residences have received more than 10 awards for excellence in care and were recognized in May of 2021 by a joint resolution of the Vermont State Legislature for “superb eldercare” resulting from zero incidents of COVID-19 among our residents in our facilities during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. What is the most critical challenge our organization is facing?:

Vermont is currently the second oldest state in the nation with a median age of 43.1. Vermont’s older adult population is growing at a rapid pace with projections for 2030 showing that 1 in 4 Vermonters will be 65 years of age or older. Along with a significant increase in the aging population over the next decade, the number of individuals aged 65 and older with either or both functional and cognitive difficulties is projected to increase dramatically as well. Our sector’s collective ability to meet that future demand will likely outstrip our capacity if additional municipal, state, and federal resources are not allocated. How should people interested in supporting Living Well Group get
involved?:

Donate, Volunteer, Advocate! Donate:

Online: https://livingwellgroup.org/donate/

By mail:

Living Well Group
Enrichment Funds
1205 North Ave. Burlington, VT 05408

Volunteer: to help our organization (https://livingwellgroup.org/contact/) or another entity serving the 65+ population locally, regionally, or nationally. for programs that support a community-driven, person-centered approach to healthy aging that encompasses physical, mental, social, and financial well-being.