Emerson Lakes Is Building on a Successful History

Emerson Lakes, a new continuing care retirement community opening in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., is being built on the strength and success of Erickson Senior Living, a trusted leader in the senior living industry with a national network of managed communities.

Erickson Senior Living has a strong reputation for providing residents with a vibrant, worry-free lifestyle as well as an array of amenities, clubs, and activities.

"We can draw on the formula that has worked for Erickson communities across the country as we customize our community for the Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas," says Adam Zubowsky, sales director for Emerson Lakes. "We will also rely on the successes of our sister communities, like Siena Lakes in North Naples, to help us with the development of our processes and offerings at Emerson Lakes."

Building a culture

Siena Lakes welcomed its first residents in July 2021 and will open its final residence building by the end of this year.

Mike McCormick, the community's executive director, is committed to seeking resident input, as he believes it's played a key role in developing the community's unique culture from day one. "Fostering relationships and connections with residents really helped to shape the community," he explains.

In fact, it's a practice that has proven to be successful for all Erickson Senior Living communities.

"Fox Run in Michigan, where I served as executive director previously, is very different from Siena Lakes," he notes. "By drawing upon residents' wisdom and experiences, we were able to build a community culture that is perfect for them."

As with all Erickson Senior Living communities, Emerson Lakes will prioritize resident satisfaction--ensuring that they feel well cared for and supported, now and in the future.

Two-way communication

Erickson Senior Living also prioritizes open communication and transparency by implementing tools that connect residents to community leaders. The goal is to promote an environment that welcomes ideas for innovation and improvement.

When Siena Lakes opened, weekly Town Hall meetings helped establish a flow of communication. The meetings brought executive and associate executive directors; Dining Services, Resident Life, and General Services directors; and other leaders to the table to share operational information, construction updates, and community news. They also served as an opportunity for residents to ask questions and offer input.

A year after opening, once residents were settled in and had the chance to form groups and socialize, a Resident Advisory Council (RAC) was established. Council members gather resident input on various aspects of community life before connecting with leaders regularly and sharing feedback.

In addition, there are monthly "coffee and conversation" events and community newsletters that share information on everything from amenity updates to new activities.

"Our continued partnership with residents is based on a mutual desire to make the community the best it can be," McCormick explains.

Sharing successes

At Siena Lakes, resident feedback inspired several initiatives, which will be shared with Emerson Lakes for possible implementation.

Residents suggested using golf carts for transportation instead of campus shuttle buses, as they are more convenient and better represent the Florida lifestyle.

"We were the first Erickson Senior Living community to implement golf cart transportation, and it was the result of feedback from our residents," McCormick says.

Bocce is one of the most popular activities at Siena Lakes, so residents also recommended refreshing the courts and adding step-down access. They even provided input on the type of wood for the court boards.

"We were also the first community to add an outdoor drinking fountain. Residents appreciate having easy access to cold water while playing bocce outside in the Florida heat," McCormick says. "These upgrades will likely be considered for other Erickson communities, including Emerson Lakes."

Prepared for the future

As Erickson Senior Living's third Florida community, Emerson Lakes is well prepared if a severe storm or hurricane strikes.

"We've experienced three hurricanes in four years, so we've become pretty adept at dealing with them," McCormick explains. "It's a reality of living in Florida, and that's why we are sharing our hurricane plan with Emerson Lakes. Our procedures will help their leaders develop a plan that works for them."

Zubowsky adds, "Having a sister community just a few hours away gives us a perspective on what works well in South Florida. By partnering with experienced colleagues and welcoming feedback from incoming residents, we'll be able to create a community where everyone can thrive."

To learn more about vibrant, independent senior living at Emerson Lakes, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and much more.

By Linda Esterson