News

Westminster Communities of Florida was a winner in the 30th Annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearing-house for the senior market, recognizes the nation’s finest marketing, communications, educational materials, and programs designed and produced for older adults. 

The organization was pleased to receive a Gold Award for its “Westminster Sings What The World Needs Now (Is Love)” social media campaign, in the category of Social Media. This video, which featured nearly 50 residents and team members representing our 22 communities, is a heart-warming antidote to the hardest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The video is still available on Westminster’s YouTube channel for viewers to enjoy — go to https://youtu.be/8FhSpfMu_QI.

In addition, Westminster Communities of Florida was recognized with awards for: 

• The rebrand of the Westminster Communities Foundation, which received a Bronze Award in the category of Marketing and Advertising Campaigns. This campaign of brochures, flyers, personalized donor cultivation materials, recognition gifts and more has contributed to the successful launch of a major new campaign focused on donor recruitment for our charitable foundation. We congratulate the Westminster Communities Foundation team.

• A campaign offering advice to our team members who graduated high school and college, “Seniors 2 Seniors,” was recognized with a Bronze Award in the category of Social Media. We asked residents what advice they might give, and then captured them offering it and shared it on social media, as well as our internal CCTV systems. Enjoy the video and get their advice on Westminster’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/d4fzkMIP8Io
  
  
• To help provide the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic to our residents and their family members, we created a special “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources” online guide. These web pages contained a variety of information about how residents and their families could stay safe, support each other and our communities, and even a fun kids’ activity pack for summer, when camps and day cares were closed. The COVID-19 guide was recognized with a Bronze Award in the category of Web-based Resource/Tool. These resources are still available and up-to-date at https://www.westminstercommunitiesfl.org/coronavirus-news-and-resources

• Our “Thank You Team Members” campaign, celebrating our team members for their heroic work of caring for vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, received a Merit Award in the category of Marketing and Advertising Campaigns. It consisted of a campaign of signs, banners, recognition gifts, online graphics, social media posts and more. We congratulate our Human Resources and Creative teams for their work on the campaign.

Those involved with the art direction, design and copywriting for the campaigns were Nicole Muller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Wes Meltzer, Director of Marketing and Communications; Katherine Peters, Director of Sales, Chris Ware, Creative Services Coordinator; Natalie Rooney, Creative Design Specialist; and Sydney March, Social Media Specialist.

“We were delighted and honored to have been selected for these awards,” Meltzer said. “Our Creative Team does amazing work. The recognition of the Mature Media Awards just confirms it for us. Westminster Communities of Florida was pleased to take part in the 30th anniversary of the Mature Media Awards program, and very happy with the results.”

The entries were judged by a distinguished panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall excellence of design, content, creativity and relevance to the senior market.

About Westminster Communities of Florida: Westminster Communities of Florida serves more than 7,000 residents in 22 communities throughout Florida who are in search of an enlightened, fully integrated, person-centered approach to health and wellness. Since 1954, we've been Florida's best choice in active senior living. Find out more about how you can Live Well. Be Happy. at a Westminster community – visit our Web site at www.WestminsterCommunitiesFL.org or call 407-839-5050.

In celebration of Fourth of July, the Westminster Dining Services team brings you five of their Signature Recipes to enjoy with family and friends! The delicious recipes include Grilled Burgers and Toppings, Buffalo Puppies, Spicy Coleslaw, Tomato, Strawberry & Watermelon Salad and Raspberry Lemonade. You can download the entire recipe book by clicking on the cover image or each individual recipe below.

Open the recipe (PDF)

Our Signature Grilled Burgers & Toppings

Our Signature Buffalo Puppies

Our Signature Spicy Coleslaw

Our Signature Baked Potato Salad

Our Signature Tomato, Strawberry & Watermelon Salad

Our Signature Raspberry Lemonade

It is important as we age, to pay attention to our surroundings and our health. As we get older, our chance of falling and getting injured increases. Falls often occur due to a medical or environmental hazard or a combination of both. Here are some facts about fall risks and how assisted living communities in Bradenton Florida help minimize them.

Fall Risks & How to Minimize Them

• Vision & Hearing: Bradenton assisted living communities work with their residents to make sure that every precaution is taken to help reduce fall risks. Did you know? Even a slight change in vision or hearing might have an impact on stability. At Westminster Point Pleasant, we recommend regular visits to the eye doctor and audiologist to aid in the prevention of falls.
• Blood Pressure: Blood pressure variations could cause falls due to fainting or light-headedness. It's possible to assess this risk by measuring our resident's blood pressure while sitting and seeing if it declines when they stand.
• Medication: It is important to talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the medications you are on. There may be side effects that can increase your chances of falling. If you are aware that you are at a higher risk, then you can take proper precautions to lower your environmental risk factors. 
• Medical Risks: Infections, illnesses, and other medical issues might make you feel weak or unbalanced, resulting in falls. It is important to let the staff and your physician know if you are feeling under the weather. They can help ensure that it is nothing serious and help you identify what steps you should take to stay safe and improve your overall well-being. 
• Vitamin D: A vitamin D deficiency can weaken bones and increase the risk of falling. Seniors who spend a lot of time indoors and have low vitamin D levels may be at a higher risk than their peers who have normal vitamin D levels.

Our staff at Westminster Point Pleasant in Bradenton Florida is here to help ensure that our assisted living communities are clear of environmental fall risks. We also help work with the seniors living in our community and their families to identify any fall risks and do everything we can to help prevent them.

In celebration of Father's Day, the Westminster Dining Services team brings you five of their Signature Recipes to enjoy with your family! The delicious recipes include a Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken, Lemony Green Bean Pasta Salad, Chopped Salad with Steak, Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette and a Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Salad. You can download the entire recipe book by clicking on the cover image or each individual recipe below.

Open the recipe (PDF)

Our Signature Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

Our Signature Lemony Green Bean Pasta Salad

Our Signature Chopped Salad with Steak

Our Signature Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Our Signature Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Salad

Mmm - if there’s one thing we love about summer, it’s the opportunity for fresh and delicious food. As you plan your good eats for the season, don’t miss these helpful nutritional recommendations and healthy meal ideas to enjoy at your Orlando, Florida, assisted living facility.

Promoting Healthy Staples for Orlando Assisted Living

A few healthy substitutions can go a long way toward enhancing your nutrition when it comes to all your favorite senior-friendly summer staples. Try a few of these options:

• In your smoothie or shake, replace ice cream with low-fat yogurt and add a few teaspoons of butter made from nuts for a protein boost.

• In your baked goods, replace refined white sugar with natural alternatives, such as honey, maple syrup, or dates.

• Replace high-fructose juices and lemonades with cool glasses of water flavored with lemon, cucumber, or lavender.

• Substitute manufactured salad dressings with simple choices like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice.

• Herbs can replace salt to improve the flavor of your food. Having a range of spices on hand helps you try out new flavor profiles to improve the overall experience while keeping the dish healthy.
• On your toast, replace the butter with fresh avocado. (For a fantastic snack, add sliced tomato and a pinch of salt and pepper.)

And these are just the start of healthy options available to you when you enjoy the services of a facility for Orlando memory care, assisted living, and independent living!

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Seniors enjoying Orlando, Florida, assisted living should take care to avoid feeling dehydrated, especially during the warmer summer months when you’re more likely to be outside sweating away important fluids. Stay hydrated by eating vegetables and fruits filled with nutrients - they’re surprisingly high in water, too! Try options such as cantaloupe, melon, and cucumbers, in addition to sipping a lot of water throughout the day.

Enjoy Natural Foods

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of fresh seasonal fruits and veggies. Try exploring local farmers' markets, grocers, and roadside kiosks this summer. This is the perfect opportunity to splurge on farm-fresh produce from summer squash to strawberries.

Eating well is easy at independent living facilities in Orlando, FL - and even moreso when you make your home at Westminster Towers! Contact us to learn more about pursuing a healthy, fun, active lifestyle at our independent living facility.