Episode 5:4 Verna Chisman Shares Her “Wellcare” over Healthcare Point of View

Verna shares trends and tactics from her decades of experience in senior living. She stresses the need to empower residents and staff through multicultural as well as multigenerational experiences, educating on selfcare, and using AI technologies to enhance operations and resident services.

About Verna

Verna Chisman, President of Allure & Wellness Management Services and Vice President of Client Engagement for Muir Salon Group. Allure is a consulting firm and resource for active adults, developed from her years of experience at multiple premier Life Plan and 55+ communities across the country. During her tenure with Life Care Services, Verna was a member of the Corporate Resource Team, Corporate Health & Wellness Committee, Task Force Committee, and development of Odyssey(technology platform) and Director of Community Life Services for Sagewood & Acacia Health Center. In 2015, Verna was recruited by John Knox Village of Pompano Beach & The Woodlands. She held the position as Director of Wellness, which required considerable involvement on the development of a comprehensive Master Plan inclusive of reframing the culture and integrating the Green House Project within the community.

Verna has a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A). Certifications include ICAA Leadership in Wellness Management Course. She is also honored to be appointed as Co-Chair on ICAA’s Education Committee. Additional certifications include Green House Project Core Training, Best Life Train the Trainer Green House Project, Train the Brain, “Better with Age” Training Program, Heartfelt Connections Certification, Banner Health’s Alzheimer Institute Compass Certification and Certified Meeting Professional.

Key Takeaways

• Self-care inevitably equals wellness, which diminishes the need for healthcare.
• Senior living communities need to step aside and let residents live their lives. Older adults need to take ownership of their own self-care.
• Ageism is a major challenge inside senior living communities, showing up in interactions with staff, executives, and resident to resident. Ageism depletes older adults’ confidence and destroys their dignity.
• A multicultural environment expands horizons. Programming should embrace different cultures—staff should share their cultural experience with residents, and vice versa. Have a “culture night” with slideshow and regional cuisine.