WONDERS OF WELLNESS

WHERE WELLNESS INNOVATION MEETS HEALTHSPAN IMPACT

Innovation takes center stage

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Award Categories

Submissions should fall into one of the below categories. We have listed ideas and questions below to help you find the category that best fits your submission.

IMPORTANT DATES

Submissions open

Submissions open on Monday, April 13

Submissions close

Submissions close on Friday, June 12

Recipients announced

Award recipients will be notified in August 2026 and publicly announced in October 2026

Recipients Receive

  • Promotion Package
    Recipients will receive a ready-to-use promotional toolkit to help share their recognition, including a press release template, social media posts, email signature, digital badge, and a feature in the Mather Institute newsletter.
  • Commemorative Award
    A custom plaque will be provided to commemorate each awardee’s achievement and contribution to advancing wellness innovation.
  • Promotional Investment
    Recipients may choose between a Mather-funded promotional opportunity (valued up to $5,000 for Gold and $2,500 for Silver) including either a targeted advertising campaign on Facebook or LinkedIn or industry publications of their choice, or a co-branded webinar hosted by Mather Institute and promoted through leading senior living and wellness industry channels. Bronze recipients will receive a target social advertising campaign valued at up to $1,000.

WHAT CATEGORY SHOULD I SUBMIT FOR?

Not sure which category fits your innovation? These questions can help guide your submission:

Sleep Well

  • Does your innovation improve rest, sleep quality, or nighttime routines for individuals or care teams?
  • Does your program encourage healthier nighttime routines or help individuals wind down at the end of the day?
  • Does your technology monitor, track, or improve sleep patterns or sleep environments?
  • Does your initiative address sleep challenges common in later life, such as disrupted sleep or nighttime anxiety?
  • Does your project create environments, experiences, or habits that support better rest or introduce tools, technology, or strategies that support better sleep habits?

Move Well

  • Does your project help individuals stay physically active in ways that feel enjoyable, motivating, or accessible?
  • Does your innovation use technology—such as apps, wearables, or sensors—to encourage movement or track activity?
  • Does your program help individuals build long-term habits that support strength, balance, or mobility?
  • Does it help individuals stay active?

Eat Well

  • Does your technology or program help individuals track nutrition, improve dietary choices, or better understand what they eat?
  • Does your program promote healthier eating habits or improved nutrition?
  • Does your initiative help individuals connect food with broader wellness goals such as energy, longevity, or healthdiv?
  • Does your technology incorporate innovative ways for people to build a diet around their DNA profile?

Connect Well

  • Does your initiative create new ways for people to meet, collaborate, or support one another?
  • Does your innovation create opportunities for shared experiences, storytelling, or group participation?
  • Is it centered around emotional support, community engagement, or social connection or use technology to connect people across generations, cultures, or shared interests?
  • Does your program use technology or creative programming to reduce social isolation?

Relax Well

  • Does your project reduce stress, anxiety, or support emotional well-being?
  • Does it create calming environments, mindfulness practices, or relaxation tools?
  • Does it support restorative downtime or promote mental well-being?
  • Does your program create environments or experiences designed to help individuals relax or recharge, or does it incorporate creative arts, music, nature, or sensory experiences that promote relaxation?
  • Does your technology or app help individuals build healthy habits around rest, reflection, or emotional balance?
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Judging Criteria

Wonders of Wellness Awards are judged transparently, with Mather team members independently scoring each nomination on innovation, potential impact, and ease of use, adoption, or replication. Final scores determine whether submissions receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards.

About Mather Institute

With a 25-year legacy of conducting evidence‑based, collaborative research Mather Institute—an area of service of Mather—is recognized as a trusted, award‑winning resource for research on wellness, aging, trends in aging well, and innovative services that support successful aging. To date, the Institute has conducted research-based education programs in all 50 states and 14 countries around the world.