Building Community Resilience for the Elderly in a World Impacted by COVID-19

Championing wellbeing and safety at Lendlease’s Ardor Gardens   

The idea of community resilience has become more pertinent. It reflects notions of solidarity and versatility that help communities persist through times of crisis and uncertainty. It is especially important for those more vulnerable to health issues, including seniors. At our flagship Ardor Gardens community in Shanghai, we’ve continued to evolve our processes to enhance community resilience and keep residents healthy and safe, while minimizing the impacts to lifestyle. 

Ardor Gardens set a new benchmark for senior living in China when it received the WELL Health and Safety Rating (WELL HSR) in recognition of its safety-first and sustainability focus – the first senior living community in China to earn this world-class accredited standard. 

Having already reached such a high standard, Ardor Gardens has been well prepared for subsequent COVID-19 outbreaks, as the team works simultaneously to evolve and adopt a long-term strategy to minimise related health risks in the community. 

The achievement of the WELL HSR is a testament to Lendlease’s focus on the well-being and safety of residents and follows months of hard work by the Ardor Gardens team. 

The rating system offers customizable, evidence-based strategies that address an organization’s specific short and long-term concerns and goals. The WELL HSR includes 21 criteria (a minimum of 15 must be met), across the following five core areas:

• Cleaning Sanitation Procedures
• Emergency Preparedness Programs
• Health Service Resources
• Air and Water Quality Management
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

In addition to abiding by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Ardor Gardens covers all five of these core WELL HSR areas. 

Rigorous cleaning and screening practices, emergency response training, and management plans to respond to crises including pandemic outbreaks have all been implemented. For example, since the outbreak in Shanghai in March 2022, the team has proactively installed a safe corridor through the community to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Ardor Gardens also provides access to essential health services and assessments through an on-site medical service centre and health station. Mental health is given just as much attention, with support offered to help people manage stress that may be provoked or amplified during crisis. Indoor air and water quality is also vigilantly controlled through air and water filtration systems to mitigate mold, legionnaires' disease, and other contaminants. 

Championing the health and safety of the staff and residents of our communities has always been our number one priority at Lendlease. Setting new benchmarks helps us push the industry forward, improving living standards and lifestyles of those enjoying their golden years, as we continue to reimagine senior living.