Articles & Real-Life Stories: Nursing and Rehab

Title: Reuniting Lifelong Friends

Preview: When Katherine Budeker, or Kay as she likes to be called, began her career at the Equitable Trust Company in Baltimore little did she know that she would make a friend for a lifetime. In 1941 as chief telephone operator, Kay took a teller six years her junior named Esther Allen under her wing. ...

Title: Back on Track and Inspiring Others

By: Lauren Searson

Preview: Louis Armstrong is living proof of how one can overcome struggles in life and inspire others. The Washington, D.C. native served in the Army for four years, two of which he was an active member and the other two he spent in the Reserve. Eventually, Louis completed a food service course in For...

Title: Witnessing Changes in her Home

Preview: In 1992, when Nell Johnson served on the Board of Directors for Friends House Retirement Community, walkers and wheelchairs were not allowed in the independent living areas. Today, Nell is thankful that she is able to use her walker to help her when she walks from her independent apartment to th...

Title: Returning to Her Favorite Activities

By: Lauren Searson

Preview: When it comes to staying active, Edith 'Edy' Sparks may have written the book. In fact, it is hard to find something that does not spark her interest. "I love to dance, I love the ocean and any water sports," she said, "And I can definitely party." Widowed with no children, she has worked ...

Title: Staying Surrounded with Friends and Support

By: Lauren Searson

Preview: "I loved my house, I had plans for it," said Jeanne Graef, who lived in her Alexandria community of 52 years. When an illness struck her family, however, Jeanne knew she had to research local options, and today she is happy to have found a new home at The Fountains at Washington House. Dur...

Title: Staying Busy, Keeping Routine

Preview: Most mornings, Dr. William Simmons is out the door at his residence at the Hebrew Home by 10 o'clock in the morning and may not reappear until 7:30 at night. This routine is unusual for a Hebrew Home resident, but then again Dr. Simmons is an unusual gentleman who continues to share his talents, ...

Title: Watching the Azaleas Bloom

Preview: Vesta Brown and her husband built their home in Kensington, MD "paycheck to paycheck and board by board," says their daughter, Sonnie Sussillo. The couple moved to the area in the late 40s, and raised their two children in the house they built. The family has been here ever since. Shortly afte...

Title: Turning to a Geriatric Care Manager

By: Guide to Retirement Living Staff

Preview: Ann and Stefan Hoffer were both working full-time at the Federal Aviation Administration and raising two teenage boys when Stefan's father passed away and his mother moved in to their home. Mrs. Hoffer had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but Ann and Stefan did not realize how far the disease ha...

Title: Just Down the Street But One Step From Heaven

By: Christy Pagans

Preview: To say that Mildred Boyer's family is close-knit does not do them justice. Her three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild all live close by. Their family gatherings are frequent; they eat together; they laugh together; and they even cook together-at Westbrook Market, the meat ma...

Title: Exactly Where She Wants to Be

Preview: Back in her home of 33 years, that is were Eleanor Gicking wanted to be. She has been living in the same house near Mt. Vernon since 1971 when she and her husband moved to the D.C. area. He worked with defense systems at Ft. Belvoir, and the couple raised three children. Following femur and hip...

Title: Care Plan Maintains Quality of Life

Preview: Mrs. Ellin, the 94 year old matriarch of her family, was used to being in charge. A strong-willed and capable woman, she had, along with her husband, built a successful business, which she continued to operate after he passed away. During her hospital stay, Mrs. Ellin's attending physician re...

Title: New Friends--With Four Legs

Preview: Of her many different jobs, Florence Sweeda most enjoyed working at RCA, where she made picture tubes. The work was fascinating, but her favorite thing about her job was the people. After retiring, Florence continued to enjoy time with friends and family and found more time for her favorite pas...

Title: Displaying Her Colors

Preview: A teacher for most of her life, Sandy Kreutzer enjoyed teaching at every level-from Kindergarten through college. Of her profession, she says, "I really enjoyed getting to interact with all kinds of people on many different levels." Mrs. Kreutzer has enjoyed many hobbies, including reading, c...

Title: The Lunch Crew

Preview: Conversation, laughter, and the sounds of lunch being served fill the dining room on the first floor of Renaissance Gardens at Seabrook, the health care neighborhood located in the gated Seabrook community in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. People seated at the square tables, each with pink linens and ...