The Integrated Classification of Wellness (ICW) is a standard framework designed to help organizations understand, measure, and support whole-person wellness. Managed by the Wellzesta Health Research Institute (WHRI)—a separate nonprofit research entity—the ICW provides a shared language for wellness that communities can use to guide programming and better serve residents.
When the ICW launched, it defined eight foundational dimensions of wellness: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and vocational. These categories gave communities a structure to evaluate how residents were experiencing wellness across their lives—well beyond the traditional focus on physical and social health.
Why ICW Is Evolving
Standards are only meaningful if they adapt to the real-world needs of the organizations they are designed to serve. This is exactly what happened with The Legacy, a Wellzesta client and forward-thinking community that challenged the ICW framework. They recognized that culture—through traditions, heritage, identity, and shared experiences—is a vital part of wellness and requested that the taxonomy reflect this reality.
Although their request was initially framed as a customization, it ultimately underscored the value of ICW as a living standard—one shaped not only by research but also by the communities that rely on it every day. This collaboration demonstrates the strength of ICW: it is not a static framework, but an evolving one rooted in practice.
The Ninth Dimension: Cultural Wellness
In response, WHRI has introduced a ninth dimension: Cultural Wellness. This new dimension acknowledges the role of cultural identity and belonging in fostering purpose, connection, and resilience among individuals and communities.
By embracing cultural wellness, communities can:
• Recognize and celebrate diverse traditions and perspectives.
• Create inclusive programming that resonates with residents.
• Strengthen the sense of belonging and community ties.
| Dimension |
Overview |
| Emotional |
Harnessing resilience, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. |
| Environmental |
Fostering sustainable wellbeing through harmony with our surroundings. |
| Financial |
Encouraging fiscal health, security, and thoughtful habits. |
| Physical |
Emphasizing vitality, movement, and overall bodily health. |
| Intellectual |
Promoting curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. |
| Social |
Nurturing relationships, community, and connection. |
| Spiritual |
Exploring purpose, values, and personal meaning. |
| Vocational |
Finding meaning, satisfaction, and fulfillment in work and daily life. |
| Cultural (new) |
Embracing heritage, traditions, and cultural expression to deepen identity and community bonds. |
Wellzesta’s Role
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Wellzesta implements the ICW standard in its software platform, making it actionable for senior living communities. We are proud to provide both leadership and labor to the ongoing development of ICW, ensuring that our technology not only reflects the standard but also helps drive its adoption in real-world settings.
The addition of cultural wellness reflects the original intent of ICW: to provide a complete and flexible structure for understanding wellness so that communities can better tune their offerings to the full spectrum of resident well-being.
Final Thoughts
As ICW continues to evolve, we are inspired by the collaborative spirit that drives it. The partnership between WHRI, Wellzesta, and client communities like The Legacy shows that the best standards are built not in isolation, but in active conversation with those who use them.
With nine dimensions, ICW is stronger than ever—helping communities foster belonging, purpose, and deeper connections across every aspect of life.
Book a virtual coffee with Kyle to explore how your community can benefit:
