Throughout the year, we proudly witnessed countless moments of purpose, joy, innovation, and connection across our communities. As we reflect, we’re reminded that what makes Maplewood special isn’t only the programs we offer, it’s the people who bring them to life. Residents who continue to pursue personal growth. Associates who lead with heart. Families who trust us with the people they love most.
These ten moments represent the best of what we stand for: exceptional care, meaningful engagement, and a culture of belonging.
This year, Maplewood communities achieved one of the highest industry honors: five communities earned the Reputation 900 Award, and ten additional communities received the Reputation 800 Award, placing Maplewood in the top tier of senior living communities nationwide.
These awards reflect something deeply important to us: the lived experiences of residents, families, and professionals who shared their voices. Their feedback affirms our commitment to personalized care, attentive service, and welcoming communities that deliver exceptional experiences.
This year marked important progress in how Maplewood supports resident health and well-being. We strengthened our clinical practices by creating clearer standards, more consistent routines, and better tools to ensure that every community is aligned in how care is delivered.
In 2025, we took a major step forward by moving to a fully digital care system, giving our clinical teams real-time insights that help them anticipate needs and respond quickly. From tracking health changes to improving communication across shifts, these enhancements strengthened outcomes and offered families even greater peace of mind
Innovations like AI-supported fall detection further enhanced proactive care by helping teams identify risks earlier and tailor prevention plans for each resident. Together, these advancements marked a transformative year for clinical practice across Maplewood.
Maplewood’s voice resonated across the industry this year. Our leaders shared expertise at national conferences, contributed to articles, and elevated conversations around dementia care, design, hospitality, and workforce development.
Through these contributions, Maplewood continued to model what compassionate, innovative senior living can look like.
At Maplewood, it’s our people who make the difference, they are the reason residents and families chose us and the reason our communities feel like home. We never take that for granted.
This year, Maplewood strengthened its workforce by expanding partnerships with regional schools, vocational programs, and workforce development organizations, particularly those supporting career tracks in nursing, to build a consistent, well-prepared candidate pipeline.
We also launched a leadership development program to prepare future leaders, associates we hope to see grow with us and continue shaping our communities for years to come.
In addition, we enhanced the onboarding experience to create a welcoming and efficient start for the new team members. Executive Directors collaborated closely with recruitment teams to attract mission-driven individuals who share our dedication to exceptional care, attentive service, and welcoming communities.
These efforts reinforced our ability to build and retain a committed, high-quality team whose compassion, skills, and dedication make every Maplewood community a place where residents and families feel truly cared for.
This year’s Maplewood Heart Foundation initiative became one of the most meaningful expressions of our collective spirit. Residents, families, associates, and community partners came together across all Maplewood communities to support the Foundation’s mission of assisting associates facing unexpected financial hardship and giving back to local charities. A highlight of the effort was our Fall into Giving: A HEART Happy Hour, where guests gathered in support of this important cause. Through this event, along with storytelling campaigns and community-wide fundraising activities, the Heart Foundation raised more than $35,000—an achievement that reflects the generosity, compassion, and shared purpose that define Maplewood.
This effort highlighted the meaningful role service plays in community life and demonstrated how small acts, when shared across residents, families, and associates, can drive real impact. The Heart Foundation fundraiser reflects Maplewood’s values and the strength of a community united in purpose.
Our memory-support programs grew increasingly individualized, emphasizing strengths, personal histories, emotional needs, and sensory engagement. Teams expanded their training in communication strategies, environmental supports, de-escalation techniques, and structured engagement models that preserve identity.
Purposeful small-group activities and one-on-one engagement provided opportunities for meaningful success throughout the day. This person-centered philosophy ensures that each resident is seen for who they are, not for what they may have lost, and empowered to participate fully in daily life.
Families remained essential partners in care throughout the year. We strengthened communication practices, expanded educational offerings, and continued the rollout of a digital storytelling and engagement platform that captures resident histories, preferences, and meaningful milestones.
This platform provides families with a more personal lens into community life while giving teams valuable insights that inform individualized care. This technology deepens trust, strengthens relationships, and supports our commitment to whole-person well-being.
Volunteers played an essential role in shaping the heartbeat of our communities this year. Their presence brought fresh energy, new voices, and meaningful moments of connection that enriched daily life for residents and associates alike.
Student musicians filled common spaces with live performances. Therapy-animal teams offered comfort, companionship, and joyful surprise. Intergenerational service groups led art projects, games, and conversations that bridged decades of lived experience. Local partners, from schools and churches to civic organizations, showed up throughout the year to share their talents and time.
Each visit introduced residents to new perspectives and fostered relationships that extended well beyond the activity itself. These interactions supported emotional well-being, stimulated creativity, and reminded residents that they remain an active and valued part of the wider community.
This year, Maplewood expanded its intergenerational programming, strengthening collaborations with local schools, universities, and youth organizations. These partnerships brought fresh energy into our communities through student performances, collaborative art, shared learning experiences, and meaningful conversation.
A standout initiative was the Legacy Project, which paired students with residents to record personal histories, life lessons, and treasured memories. Through guided interviews and storytelling sessions, students captured the experiences that shaped residents’ lives, creating lasting keepsakes for families and fostering genuine connection across generations.
These intergenerational experiences enriched daily life, offering residents renewed purpose and giving students a deeper appreciation for the wisdom and perspective older adults bring. They remain a powerful reminder that community grows stronger when generations learn from and engage with one another.
This year, residents took an increasingly active role in shaping the rhythm of community life. Book discussions, art workshops, music circles, gardening groups, and wellness activities emerged directly from resident interests and quickly became meaningful weekly traditions.
These programs created opportunities for residents to share their skills, learn from one another, and build deeper connections. By empowering residents to lead and contribute, Maplewood reinforced a culture where personal passions are celebrated and community life feels genuinely resident-driven.
The past year demonstrated that exceptional moments are rarely grand gestures. They emerge in everyday interactions during a shared meal, a breakthrough in therapy, or a small victory in personal growth.
Together, residents, families, volunteers and associates made this year unforgettable. The year ahead offers more opportunities to uplift well-being, deepen relationships and create moments that matter. Here’s to another year of joy, growth and possibility across all Maplewood communities.
Sign up to receive the latest posts straight to your inbox.
Keep Reading
