Carleton-Willard Village Receives LeadingAge Massachusetts 2013 Program Innovation Award

Submitted by Carleton Willard Village

Each year, members of LeadingAge Massachusetts, a not- for- profit association of aging services providers in Massachusetts, carefully select a program that distinguishes itself among others. The 2013 Program Innovation award has been given to Carleton-Willard Village for its World War II Memories program.

For almost three years, a group of Carleton-Willard residents professionally videotaped their reminiscences of World War II, and shared the results with their community, inside and outside the Village.  The program was conceived and developed by the residents themselves and their creative approach to recording their memories has led to a well-received body of work.  The project consisted of residents interviewing each other about their experiences in World War II; professional videographers and Bedford residents Leslie Wittman and Jan van Steenwijk then filmed and edited each interview.  The focus was broader than a retelling of battle stories – the group recognized the value of a personal account; in particular what it felt like during those years, and how the war experience changed their lives.  The residents have been showing the videos at Carleton-Willard each month, and they plan to donate sets to several community organizations.

“Carleton-Willard’s World War II Memories program was selected as the recipient of our Program Innovation award for the development of an outstanding, innovative program that has provided tremendous benefit not only to current residents of Carleton-Willard, but to family, friends and future generations,” said Elissa Sherman, president of LeadingAge Massachusetts.

Carleton-Willard Village served as host to the 59th Annual Meeting of the MassAging membership on Thursday, October 10^th where the 2013 Achievement Awards were presented.

LeadingAge Massachusetts is an association comprised of not for profit providers of eldercare services to more than 25,000 people in Massachusetts. Services span a continuum from nursing facilities, assisted living residences, retirement communities and housing providers. Members work together to advance eldercare and collaborate to successfully improve the living qualities of the elderly. For more on LeadingAgeMA, please visit www.LeadingAgeMA.org .

Carleton-Willard Village is a continuing care retirement community in Bedford, MA, providing high quality senior living services since 1884.For more information on Carleton-Willard Village, please visit www.cwvillage.org.