Assisted Living Federation of America names winners of 2011 ALFA Best of the Best Awards

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) today announced the winners of this year's ALFA Best of the Best Awards. These annual awards honor programs demonstrating innovation in the field of senior living and embracing the principles of choice, independence, dignity and quality of life for seniors. ALFA will recognize the winning programs at the ALFA 2011 Conference & Expo, April 5-7 in Orlando, Florida.

"We're honored to spread the good news about remarkable new resident-centered programs in every aspect of senior living, from wellness services and staff development to infrastructure enhancements and technology adoption," said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America. "All of the entries speak to the high levels of innovation, entrepreneurialism and passion to serve seniors among ALFA members. These companies and programs represent the catalysts creating the future of senior living."

The winning companies and their programs are:

RESIDENT HEALTH & WELLNESS
Senior Living Communities, based in Charlotte, NC for C.L.I.M.B., an unintimidating exercise program that focuses on helping seniors attain greater confidence, longevity, independence, mobility and balance.

SUPPORTING RESIDENTS & FAMILIES
Country Meadows Retirement Communities, based in Hershey, Penn. for Journeys of Faith and Spirit, a program designed to help seniors living with Alzheimer's disease to continue to explore and celebrate their spirituality and faith.

RESIDENT DINING EXPERIENCE
Brookdale Senior Living, based in Brentwood, Tenn. for its Ultimate Chef America program, demonstrating that dining in senior living communities can be a truly fun and delicious experience.

TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
ESCO Technologies, based in Liberty Township, Ohio for CareConnect, leverages technology and packaging to offer a bundle of communication services at a low cost to communities and residents.

RISK MANAGEMENT & INJURY REDUCTION
Silverado Senior Living, based in Irvine, Calif. for its Workers' Compensation Program, a unique holistic approach to reduce staff injuries in their communities and promote safe workplaces.

SALES & MARKETING
Emeritus Senior Living, based in Seattle, Wash. for its Win Free Rent for a Year Sweepstakes, an inspiring effort that increased visitor traffic to communities during the usually slow year-end holiday months and raised awareness of services available to seniors and their families.

HUMAN RESOURCES & STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Brookdale Senior Living, based in Brentwood, Tenn., for its Onsite Associate Wellness Clinics in 13 of its communities and extensions of these services through a visiting wellness service to other communities.

PHYSICAL PLANT & ENVIRONMENTAL
Horizon Bay Retirement Communities, based in Tampa, Florida, for its Eco Friends program that encouraged comprehensive sustainable, "green" practices across its communities with grassroots support from residents and staff.

The ALFA 2011 Best of the Best Awards program has expanded from previous years. The program received 140 nominations, a record number of submissions. For the first time, allied ALFA members, members of ALFA who serve the senior living industry, were able to win the much coveted award. Submissions were judged for their uniqueness in the industry, innovative use of ideas from outside the industry, impact on residents, their families, staff and operations, embrace of industry core principles, the strength of quantitative and qualitative results and strategic vision.

Winners and runners up in each category are recognized in the current issue of the Assisted Living Executive (www.alfapublications.org). The winning programs will be recognized at the ALFA 2011 Conference & Expo, April 5-7 in Orlando, Florida.

SOURCE Assisted Living Federation of America