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The Brookdale Weigh - Brookdale Senior Living Sheds 30,000 Pounds
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NASHVILLE, TN
7/7/2009 |
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Brookdale Senior Living, the largest owner and operator of senior living communities, lost more than 30,000 pounds and more than 3 percent of total body weight through its first-ever employer-sponsored weight loss competition, The Brookdale Weigh. Out of 35,000 employees, 4,000 actively participated within 1,224 teams at about 400 offices/communities nationwide.
"Brookdale is dedicated to the well-being of its employees, and The Brookdale Weigh helped them make the commitment to take steps toward losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle," said Glenn Maul, senior vice president of human resources for Brookdale. "The overwhelming results and positive response signifies an interest and commitment to well-being, which aligns with our company mission of enriching lives."
The Brookdale Weigh began on March 30, and was a 12-week weight loss challenge and team competition. Teams consisted of three-five employees. Team standings were based on collective percentage of weight loss. The final weigh-in was June 21.
"Our employees embraced the spirit of competition throughout the Brookdale Weigh, but, even more, they realized that Optimum Life®, our culture of wellness, is for them as well as our residents," said Sara Terry, vice president of Optimum Life® for Brookdale. "We now hear a daily story on the power of making small changes that can have a large impact on overall health and wellness."
The three top company-wide winning teams lost 15.43, 14.83 and 14.53 percent of total body weight, respectively. Greatest number of pounds lost wee 96, and the highest percentage of body weight lost individually was 23.13 percent. Eighty-two employees lost 30 or more pounds, and 247 employees lost 10 percent or more of their body weight.
"It gives me great pride to work for a company that acknowledges that the welfare of its greatest asset, its employees, extends beyond health insurance," said Janine Novack, life enrichment coordinator of Sterling House Broken Arrow, an assisted living community in Broken Arrow, Okla. "Brookdale Senior Living displayed great vision with this program. I haven't felt this great in years."
"Having the teams also makes us accountable to the other teammates, and that is an incentive. We don't want to let any one down, or leave any one behind," said Tami L. Miles, life enrichment coordinator of Sterling House Bluewater Bay, an assisted living community in Bluewater Bay, Fla. "It has also been fun getting to know other Brookdale employees. We have become united in this goal and had fun along the way. "
Staff flexed their creativity during the competition. New exercise choices were introduced, such as walking groups and teaming with a local gym to hold Zumba classes onsite; new healthy food and beverage options were given such as fresh limes, lemon and oranges by the water machine and fresh fruit to celebrate a birthday, and team names were given much thought. Examples of team names include, "Thin to Win," "Disappearing Divas," and "The Muffin Tops."
"The Brookdale Weigh really helped to motivate me," said Amy Burnett, human resources director at Freedom Plaza Sun City Center, a continuing care retirement community in Sun City Center, Fla. "The contest helped to give me a jump start to a healthier lifestyle. The feeling of well-being that I am getting now far outweighs the opportunity for monetary gains from the contest."
Divisional and company-wide competitions were held. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three teams in each division and company-wide. Each winning team member received anywhere from $900 to $100 each.
Back to Press Room
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Contact: Holly Botsford, Public Relations Manager, 414-918-5314,
hbotsford@brookdaleliving.com
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