Mary Campbell and Mario Cascone aim to set new standards at The Arlington of Naples
As professionals working in the fast-growing field of older adult wellness, where the need for professional training and development has never been more urgent, Mary Campbell, the Director of Resident Services, and Mario Cascone, the Food, Beverage and Culinary Director, are proud to be among the exclusive group of graduates of the ICAA Foundation for Wellness course.
“Earning The ICAA Foundation for Wellness Certification is incredibly meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. It represents a continued commitment to growth, learning, and bringing an “elevated” standard of wellness for the residents at The Arlington. This experience has expanded my perspective on holistic wellness and strengthened my passion for creating engaging, purpose-driven experiences for our aging population,” says Campbell.
Cascone says, “Completing the ICAA Wellness Certificate course was both meaningful and impactful for me. It reinforced my belief that dining is far more than a service—it is a central part of overall wellness, influencing not only nutrition but also social connection, engagement, and quality of life for our residents. The course broadened my perspective on how intentional culinary practices can support physical, emotional, and social well-being, which aligns closely with my goals as a culinary leader in senior living.”
The specialized knowledge and techniques gained during this intensive, multi-week program promises to usher in a new level of expertise and relevance for the programs at The Arlington of Naples. At the same time, it will provide a competitive edge for the operation by setting a new standard for wellness in the community and improving the lives of residents seeking measurable results from their wellness activities.
Cascone says, “At The Arlington, I plan to enhance the dining experience by applying the course’s principles in a thoughtful and practical way. This includes developing more wellness-focused menus that balance nutrition with flavor and presentation, creating more engaging and purposeful dining moments, and elevating the overall experience to foster connection and enjoyment. Additionally, I am encouraging alignment across our culinary leadership team by recommending the course to our Assistant Culinary Director and Executive Chef, ensuring we approach dining with a shared, holistic vision of wellness.
The curriculum focuses on the foundational elements of wellness, with course participants undertaking self-discovery activities, building their knowledge of wellness as it applies to wellness best practices, and leaving with new strategies for enhancing their existing wellness culture or careers. Topics range from understanding the science behind wellness to the creation of effective and implementable wellness programs, to wellness best practices and case. Campbell and Cascone are among the members of the graduating class.
Campbell added, “Moving forward, I will continue to work with my life enrichment team on expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement and purposeful-driven activities that align with each resident’s individual interests and goals. I also intend to collaborate more closely across departments such as culinary, fitness, and healthcare to ensure wellness is woven into every aspect of the resident experience. Whether it’s through small moments of connections, new programming, or collaborating more closely with our team, my ultimate goal is to continue fostering an environment where residents feel supported, valued, and inspired to live well.”
About ICAA Education (ICAA)
ICAA Education, Inc., develops and delivers courses designed to help active-aging professionals build the needed skills and knowledge to impact both older-adult wellness in all dimensions as well as the business bottom line.
ICAA Education, Inc., is a sister company of the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA), a professional association that has led, connected and defined the active-aging industry since 2001. Founded in the belief that unifying the efforts of organizations focused on improving the quality of life of older adults benefits both the people they reach and the organizations themselves, ICAA’s vision is shared by over 10,000 organizations. ICAA’s support of the active-aging industry includes industry research reports, environment and program development, market development, education and research on healthy aging and wellness, networking, best practice sharing, marketing and strategy development, public relations campaigns and recognition programs.
