Contact: LeJane Carson/Susan Stoga; 847/884-0000
WHEATON, Ill. (March 27, 2003) Wyndemere Retirement Community, which includes Westbridge at Wyndemere Assisted Living, has been awarded accreditation by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC), according to Joseph L. Benson, RHPF, president of Wyndemere. Based in Washington, D.C., CCAC is the primary accrediting organization for continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) across the country.
This prestigious distinction assures residents that Wyndemere Retirement Community meets rigorous standards of excellence in governance and administration, financial resources and disclosure, as well as resident life, health and wellness.
"We are proud of our residents, our staff and the entire Wyndemere organization that supported our efforts. It was a very challenging, year-long process that involved an in-depth self-assessment led by both staff and residents," said Benson. "Specifically, staff member Mary Colby and resident Maxine Hansen, who served as co-project coordinators, did an outstanding job leading the accreditation effort that included extensive focus group work with both residents and staff.
"There were many other residents, staff and board members who were involved as well in this very challenging, yet rewarding process. Our collective efforts were geared toward raising the bar of quality service and process improvement on this campus. This esteemed designation, and all that we have learned, allows us to do just that," he said.
Participating in the accreditation process was a wonderful, growing
experience, according to co-project coordinator Hansen, a resident since
September 1993. "It has strengthened us as a community to have the type of open
dialogue that we had throughout the self-assessment and we will build upon our
progress to make Wyndemere Retirement Community one of the best in the country,"
she said.
The CCAC accreditation, widely regarded as a "seal of approval"
for the industry, is awarded for a five-year period. In order to maintain its
designation, Wyndemere and Westbridge must file annual reports with the
commission, which demonstrate continued compliance with all of CCAC's high
standards of accreditation.
Wyndemere was established in 1993 to serve the needs of the west suburban Chicago community. Together with Westbridge, an assisted living facility and Wynscape, a nursing and rehabilitation center, the community provides a campus of comprehensive care for seniors.
CCAC is an independent accrediting commission, composed of providers, consumers and experts from the continuing care industry. CCAC is sponsored by the American Association of Home and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), a membership organization of more than 5,000 nonprofit nursing homes, independent housing facilities, community service agencies and retirement communities.