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Acacia Creek Receives National Distinction

At Acacia Creek’s founding, its board members set out to create a different kind of retirement community: One that would unite Masons and non-Masons alike in a shared culture of respect, community, and enthusiasm for life. One where the desire to “age successfully” — to establish continued growth and learning as an integral part of the aging process — would be a distinguishing factor.

Now, six years young, Union City, California’s best-kept secret is out. The nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) has achieved an unprecedented victory: Masterpiece Living designated Acacia Creek as a “Certified Center for Successful Aging.”

This prestigious distinction, which has only been awarded to 16 other CCRCs in the United States, recognizes “organizations that have set themselves apart from all others by implementing the best successful aging practices that promote resilience and benefit both members and team members.”

The criteria is partially based on qualifications determined in a landmark 10-year study by the MacArthur Foundation, which revealed that a majority of physical and mental again is determined by lifestyle. Acacia Creek’s application was unique in that it not only met but exceeded Masterpiece Living’s gold-caliber standards. Very few communities have ever scored above 90 on the evaluation; Acacia Creek’s score was 95, the highest to date.

“This achievement reflects the vitality and engagement that is the culture of Acacia Creek,” says Acacia Creek President Chuck Major. “It is the result of the partnership between residents and team members in creating a community where all residents age happily and successfully.”

Learn more about Acacia Creek’s culture of community and successful aging at acaciacreek.org.

Photo (from left): Acacia Creek Retirement Counselor Martha Crawford, Resident Donna Baird, Successful Aging Coach Penny Vittoria, with Masterpiece Living Partnership Specialist Cere Reine Meintzer