Waterford Place Named as SAIDO Learning® Model Home Community

Skokie, Ill.: When Waterford Place Memory Care in Jenison, Michigan started offering SAIDO Learning for individuals impacted by memory impairment more than a year ago, the team decided to go full steam ahead. SAIDO is a method for impacting the quality of life for adults through a series of mental exercises to improve engagement. It was started in Japan by the Kumon Institute of Education. Covenant Living Communities and Services, headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, is the Master License Holder in North America for SAIDO Learning and oversees the program in senior living communities across the country.

Since the program was implemented at Waterford Place, the community now has 29 resident participants or learners, along with 52 volunteers or supporters doing SAIDO sessions each week. Their commitment and program growth has earned them a Model Home Community designation, meaning it meets the highest standards and practices set forth by the Kumon Institute.

“We are beyond thrilled that this is taking place,” said Ben Leavell, Waterford Place executive director. “It is really an honor to have this happening for us and gives amazing credit to our dedicated team that has worked tirelessly on ensuring SAIDO is truly part of our culture and community.”

To recognize the Model Home Community designation by Covenant Living and the Kumon Institute, representatives from the Kumon Institute in Japan traveled to Waterford Place for a special ceremony and celebration. In Japan, nursing homes with the Model Home Community designation are considered among the best in the country offering SAIDO Learning.

“We are proud to see Waterford Place earn this very distinct honor,” said Jill Ricker, director of operations for SAIDO Learning with Covenant Living. “Since SAIDO was introduced in the U.S. in 2013, it has been amazing to see its impact in communities across the country and making a difference in the lives of those with memory impairment.”

“SAIDO Sessions” involve residents meeting with trained staff for sessions focusing on simple arithmetic, writing and reading aloud using materials developed by the Kumon Institute. Waterford Place staff or “supporters” engage with residents five times a week in this program in one-on-one or one-on-two settings for 30-minute sessions. Most residents have increased in engagement through this program and some have even improved standardized cognitive testing scores.

In Japan there are more than 16,000 participants in the SAIDO program in 1,400 nursing centers. Here in the U.S., there are 23 senior living communities implementing the program.

PHOTO: From left to right: Yozo Ogawa, Interpreter; Ben Leavell, Executive Director, Waterford Place; Shinji Ito, Senior Vice President & Executive Director Kumon Learning Therapy Center; Chris Matzke, Chief Operating Officer, Sunset Retirement Communities and Services; and Hide Oguchi, Manager, Development & Information Team, Kumon Learning Therapy.

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ABOUT COVENANT LIVING COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES

Chicago-based Covenant Living Communities and Services is a non-profit leading national senior living provider. It serves 5,000 residents at 17 retirement communities in 9 states and offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation. Through its LifeConnect® Whole Person Wellness Model, residents can access resources and opportunities that are designed to enrich the mind, body, and spirit and complement each person’s unique journey. It is the Master License Holder of SAIDO Learning® in North America, a program to help those with memory impairment improve in engagement. Covenant Living is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church and has been serving seniors since 1886. For more information, visit www.CovLiving.org, LinkedIn , Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.