QUINCY, Mass., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of California seniors are "connected" to the Internet, thanks to their senior living provider Brookdale Senior Living and its partner Connected Living®. The companies today announced the launch of Connected Living at 16 different Brookdale Senior Living communities in California, including Anaheim Hills, Irvine, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa and other locations. Connected Living helps residents at Brookdale Senior Living communities get online using a secure, easy-to-use Web-based social network, coupled with customized training and support.

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"Brookdale Senior Living encourages its residents to live their lives to the fullest and with purpose," said Sara Terry, Vice President of Optimum Life at BSL. "Connected Living is an important part of our philosophy – hundreds of residents are now learning to use technology to be more connected and engaged with family and friends across the country and around the world during life's important milestones."

Connected Living's cloud-based social platform includes an interface tailored to seniors giving them secure access to the Internet, email, social media tools such as video chat, photos, a library and games. This simplified technology, coupled with classes, activities, and on-site support ensures adoption and sustainable usage so benefits of leading a connected life become a reality. Using Connected Living, Brookdale residents gain new computer skills, enjoy more frequent communications with family and friends, and benefit from the health advantages that come from increased social activity.

"The Connected Living program combines technology, programming and people, which proves to be a winning combination," said Sarah Hoit, CEO and co-founder of Connected Living.  "Today there are nearly 19 million seniors in the U.S. alone who don't have access to technology.  It's our mission to narrow that digital divide by including these valued members of society in the shared conversation, benefitting both older and younger generations."

Brookdale Senior Living's partnership with Connected Living is fostered through the culture of well-being offered through Optimum Life®, which promotes six dimensions of wellness: purposeful, emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and intellectual. It is a key part of Brookdale's overall culture of caring, and features a holistic approach to health, life, fulfillment and aging, offering everyone the opportunity to live at their peak level of health. The intent is to change the perception and experience of aging. The Connected Living program is or will soon be available at these Brookdale communities in California:

Anaheim Hill

• Nohl Ranch Inn

Bakersfield

• Glenwood Gardens

Irvine

• Inn at the Park

Lodi

• Chancellor Park of Lodi

Murrieta

• Chancellor Place of Murrieta

Rancho Mirage

• Mirage Inn

Redwood City

• Woodside Terrace

San Marcos

• Brookdale Place of San Marcos

Santa Monica

• The Gardens of Santa Monica
• Ocean House

Santa Rosa

• Brookdale Place of Chanate
• Lodge of Paulin Creek

Scotts Valley

• Oak Tree Villa

Tarzana

• The Gardens of Tarzana

Torrance

• Pacific Inn

Windsor

• Chancellor Place of Windsor

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living