Nancy Kao, The Forum at Rancho San Antonio Executive Director: “As fortunate as we are with this one-of-a-kind location and our unique equity ownership model, our greatest asset may be our people: our staff members and residents who give so much to our community on a daily basis.”

The Silicon Review

In the early 1980s, the visionaries at the El Camino Hospital District in the picturesque foothills of Cupertino and Los Altos envisioned a special haven for the aging population. They saw an opportunity to cater to the changing needs of an increasingly long-lived society, thus giving birth to the idea of The Forum at Rancho San Antonio, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). The Forum, which opened its doors in 1991, was more than a mere residence; it was a bold venture into redefining retirement living. Uniquely resident-owned and operated, it reflected a commitment to autonomy and empowerment. It wasn't just a place to live, but a vibrant, self-governed community offering a spectrum of living experiences. From independent living to assisted living, memory care, and a highly acclaimed 5-star Medicare-rated skilled nursing, The Forum catered to a diverse range of needs and lifestyles. Residents like Eleanor, a retired school teacher, and Jack, a former engineer, brought life and individuality to the community. Eleanor’s book club ignited minds, while Jack’s gardening skills beautified the shared spaces. The Forum buzzed with activities—barbecues under the stars, festive galas, and workshops for learning and leisure. These events were not just pastimes; they were the threads that wove a tight-knit community fabric.

What set The Forum apart was the palpable sense of ownership among its residents. Decisions were made collectively, ensuring a living experience defined by respect, inclusivity, and a shared sense of purpose. The Forum was not just a home; it was a living, breathing community where every day brought new adventures and opportunities for growth and joy. The Forum at Rancho San Antonio stood as a testament to the potential of retirement living. It wasn’t just about care but about creating a quality life where each day was cherished and every individual’s story was valued. It became a beacon, showing what retirement living could be when driven by compassion, community, and a shared vision for the future.

Life at The Forum

The Forum at Rancho San Antonio is a prime example of a harmonious blend of nature and luxury living. This community is not just a place to live but a refuge for those seeking a balanced and enriched lifestyle, especially as they grow older. With a backdrop of hiking trails and the serenity of nature, The Forum offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the various dimensions of wellness.

Physical Wellness: The community boasts a health and wellness center where residents can engage in various activities such as personal training, lap swimming, aerobics, water volleyball, bocce, golf, tai chi, yoga, and agility exercises. The proximity to the Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve provides additional opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventures. The staff is dedicated to assisting residents in creating and maintaining personal health and wellness plans, catering to individual needs such as diabetes management, blood pressure monitoring, and more. Physical wellness is a cornerstone of life at The Forum.

Nutritional Wellness: Nutritional wellness is a priority, with the community's registered dietitian and executive chef working together to create menus that are not only delicious but also cater to varied health needs. They offer a range of dietary options, including low-sodium, gluten-free, low-calorie, vegetarian, seafood, and low-sugar desserts.

Emotional and Spiritual Wellness: The Forum provides compassionate caregivers who are attuned to the residents' emotional and cognitive changes. Opportunities for spiritual practice are abundant, including meditation, tai chi, yoga, nature walks, and prayer sessions catering to multiple religions. Emotional and spiritual wellness is recognized as vital for a balanced life at The Forum.

Environmental Wellness: The community's commitment to environmentally friendly living is evident in its serene landscaping, gardening initiatives, and educational lectures on environmental protection. Environmental wellness is encouraged through activities like gardening, outdoor wellness classes, and swimming in the beautiful outdoor pool.

Social Wellness: New residents quickly find themselves enveloped in a warm, welcoming environment where friendships flourish. Social wellness thrives in the vibrant community of The Forum. Social activities include dining, cocktails, bridge, bocce, golf, hiking, movies, and volunteering opportunities, ensuring that everyone finds something that resonates with their interests.

Intellectual Growth: Residents can engage in the arts and stay updated with current events, financial trends, and international developments. The community offers on-site lectures, art exhibits, concerts, computer and language classes, and has facilities like a wood shop, art studio, game room, and library. Regular offsite excursions to musicals, plays, ballet, and concerts keep the residents connected with the wider cultural scene.

Personal Health Planning: The Forum provides exquisite wellness center services, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing in its Medicare five-star-rated Health Care Center. These facilities are designed to empower residents in their pursuit of a balanced life, offering a full array of healthy lifestyle activities and programs.

Accolades received by The Forum

The Forum at Rancho San Antonio is not just a place to live but a community that embraces and promotes a holistic approach to health and wellness, ensuring that each resident has the opportunity to live a fulfilling, balanced, and enriched life. The Forum is the only Life Plan Community in the bay area, offering equity ownership. Instead of paying an entrance fee, residents purchase membership interest in the community. The membership share offers true ownership advantages, including tax benefits plus earned equity. It’s an investment that historically has gained value over time and helps to preserve one’s estate, building a legacy for future generations.

The Forum was the first Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Northern California to create a fully functioning Wellness department. This department’s main objective is to help residents design, develop and implement a personal health and wellness plan using the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. The Wellness Department works closely with The Forum’s programs department to ensure there is a full array of healthy lifestyle activities and programs designed to empower its resident’s personal pursuit of a balanced life.

The Forum offers all levels of care on one campus which creates a greater sense of community, a community they know and trust.

2023 Voted best in Silicon Valley by the Mercury News Readers Choice
2023 Top Senior Living Management Services Provider by Elder Care Review Mag
2023 US News, Best Nursing Home, and Short-Term Rehabilitation for our Health Care Center
2023 Caring Stars 3 years in a row – Best Senior Living in Santa Clara County
2023 McKnight’s Tech Award – Gold Finalist for Smart Monitoring Technology in Memory Care
2023 Medicare 5 Star Rating in all five categories for more than 10 years
2022-2023 Heartfelt Connection Silver Award - Memory Care Programming
2022-2023 RCFE Deficiency-free Survey for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care
2023 100% occupancy in independent living twice in one year
2023 LEED Gold Certified for Daffodil Ridge Memory Care Center

Path ahead for The Forum

The Forum has recently undertaken significant steps to enhance its internal communications and sustainability efforts. The introduction of Cubigo, a new communications platform, marks a pivotal change in the community’s approach to connectivity. As a cloud-based platform, Cubigo is revolutionizing the quality of life for older adults around the world. It seamlessly connects prospects, residents, families, and staff, offering a comprehensive suite of services that includes activities, maintenance, housekeeping, dining, transportation, and more. This integration not only increases operational efficiency but also significantly improves the resident experience. In addition to Cubigo, The Forum has also embraced the use of VSTBalance. VSTBalance is an automated fall-risk assessment tool that allows for proactive, long-term fall prevention. This innovative technology can be used for group therapy and individuals can also use it to track their progress and help motivate them on their health journey, further enhancing the health and wellness of the community’s residents.

A key aspect of The Forum's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is its campus-wide installation of solar panels and electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations. This initiative is a prime example of the community's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and fostering a sustainable environment. The installation of EV charging stations is a forward-thinking move to support residents and team members who own electric vehicles, thereby encouraging the adoption of EVs and further reducing VOC emissions.

The Forum has set an ambitious goal to be carbon-neutral in its built environment by 2030. This commitment to a fossil-free future focuses on resiliency, clean energy, and financial benefits. The community understands the importance of protecting the ecosystem and the diverse living creatures that share their beautiful campus. Sustainability at The Forum is more than just a concept; it is a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of community living. It is seen as a crucial factor in the decision-making process of potential residents. Embracing green living contributes to cost savings, fosters a strong sense of community, drives positive change, and positively impacts the mental and physical well-being of its residents. At its core, The Forum's sustainability effort enhances the quality of life, safeguards the ecosystem, and preserves natural resources for future generations. For The Forum, sustainability is not just an initiative; it is an integral part of its holistic approach to senior living.

Meet the leader behind the success of The Forum at Rancho San Antonio

Nancy Kao, with over 30 years in the senior living sector, is a distinguished leader currently serving as the Executive Director at The Forum and Life Care Services (LCS). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and an MBA in HealthCare Management, a combination that has equipped her to excel in both compassionate care and effective management in the healthcare sector. With a remarkable tenure of more than 23 years at The Forum and LCS, Nancy has been instrumental in driving innovation and excellence in senior living services. Her expertise has been recognized in publications such as 'Elder Care Review', 'San Jose Mercury News', and various local community magazines, highlighting her impact both in the industry and at the community level.

Nancy's leadership is defined by her commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors, her strategic vision for organizational growth, and her dedication to nurturing a positive and effective work environment. Her career stands as a testament to her passion for improving senior care and her role as a guiding force in the industry.