Директриса по развитию жизни в сообществе для пожилых получила награду за программу «Жизнь за пределами дома»

PLEASANTON — As Life Enrichment Director at Stoneridge Creek in Pleasanton, Susan Filice kept hearing the same desires from residents: They wanted to keep learning, build meaningful relationships, contribute their talents and live with purpose — all of which a simple retirement community does not supply. She noticed that these communities seem one-size-fits all, leading her to ask: instead of fixing the program with simple ideas, how can we design the program around the residents? Filice was recently named Life Enrichment Director of the Year by Elder Care Review, an industry magazine dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of aging with clarity and confidence. Filice has worked at Stoneridge Creek for nine years. She has been leading strategic programs focused on improving culture, engagement, wellness and resident experiences for a community of more than 800 residents. Filice oversees cross- functional initiatives across hospitality, technology, dining, communications, and operations while working with executives, vendors, healthcare organizations, universities, and community partners. She created and launched the Beyond Living program, which connects wellness, learning, social connection, and purposeful living. Her work has been recognized for innovative leadership and improving organizational culture, belonging, and quality of life. Before working at Stoneridge Creek, Filice worked at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula for 18 years. She managed medical education and staff operations at the hospital while collaborating closely with physicians and healthcare leaders. Filice also owned a catering company and managed major hospitality events at Pebble Beach Resorts. “Each experience taught me something about education, hospitality, and bringing people together, which was a natural fit for Stoneridge Creek,” Filice said. Guided by this philosophy, she was driven to create experiences for residents beyond the traditional fitness class or educational lecture. Filice noted that today's older adults want to keep learning, growing, contributing, and making meaningful choices. “They want to live their best life for as long as possible, adding life to years,” Felice said. Beyond Living was inspired by that belief and by listening closely to what residents want for this chapter of their lives. Filice began the process by gauging the perspective of residents through interviews — asking what was most important to them at this stage of life. She worked with research partners, industry leaders and Stoneridge Creek’s team “to align the goals of all departments to support a community of well-being,” she said. Looking at their research on longevity and brain health, the team evaluated what was working and identified opportunities to better integrate fitness, nutrition, technology and social engagement. These aspects influenced the idea of Beyond Living, designed to respond to changing resident interests and emerging research. As a result, the team approached retirement through a fresh, creative lens. The program supports a community-based culture of living well, with every department contributing to residents’ opportunities for strength, curiosity, purpose, nutrition and connection. Beyond Living brings together physical fitness, brain health, nutritional wellness, technology and social connection into everyday resident life. This shift in routine replaces standard meal plans with creative dining opportunities and pairs fitness programs with immersive learning experiences in collaboration with organizations such as Stanford, UCSF and The Buck Institute, among other leading research institutions. As Filice continues to think about how to bring people together through thoughtfully designed experiences, she is developing a book about designing human connection through these experiences, as well as a more personal collection of stories about friendship, travel, and the unexpected adventures that make life memorable.