A 78-year-old newlywed, Martha
Moore Wooldridge recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary.

A native of Pennsylvania, Martha attended college in Vermont before marrying and moving to the Philadelphia suburbs. An English major, Martha worked at several nearby college libraries before leaving work to raise her two children.When her children were older, Martha returned to the workforce and discovered a passion for desktop publishing. “I was working at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and I learned desktop publishing, and I really loved the computer; I love what the computer can do,” recalled Martha.

Martha’s passion for computers continued after retirement, and she found a new outlet for it when she moved to Ginger Cove. She is now editor-in-chief of the residents’ monthly newsletter. In addition to editing and laying out the articles submitted by her fellow residents, Martha also contributes original articles about her peers. “The people here are just really interesting, so I try to interview them and share their stories,” she said.

One of the many interesting stories at Ginger Cove belongs to Martha herself. A second-generation CCRC resident, she knew early that she wanted to plan ahead for retirement. Martha’s mother was living in a CCRC in Western Pennsylvania when she suffered a stroke. “We were 300 miles away and so relieved that we didn’t have to find nursing care when she got sick because the health center was part of her community. We decided then that we would move to a CCRC too,” Martha remembered.

Martha may have decided to move to a retirement community early, but she found her ideal community quite unexpectedly. “We looked at lots of communities around Philadelphia,” Martha said. “They were O.K., but none of them seemed exactly right.”

Martha and her husband Ken were visiting a nearby family cottage when they decided on a whim to check out Ginger Cove. Martha recalled, “They invited us to visit. It didn’t matter that we only had shorts to wear.” After their initial visit, they returned to the community for dinner and quickly decided they had found their new home.

Shortly thereafter, Martha and Ken made the move to a spacious apartment at Ginger Cove overlooking pretty Gingerville Creek. Unfortunately, they were just beginning to settle in when tragedy struck. “Six weeks after we moved in, my husband died,” Martha recalled. “We knew he was sick, but we thought it was going to work out, but it just didn’t.”

In addition to writing and outdoor activities, Martha’s busy
schedule also includes water aerobics.

After Ken’s sudden passing, Martha found support in her new community. “Even though I didn‘t really know anybody here, they all rallied around, and I got to know so many people so quickly,” she said. With the help of her new friends at Ginger Cove and at the nearby First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, Martha began to heal. “I cannot imagine what it would have been like if I had been alone in that big house. It would have been so lonely,” she said.

Just over a year later, Martha and her family suffered another tragedy when she lost her daughter. “Again, these two new families — my Ginger Cove family and my church family — were there for me,” Martha remembered. “I didn’t have to be alone with my grief, so that part was wonderful.”

One of the friends who offered support to Martha was Tim Wooldridge. Much like Martha, Tim lost his wife just a few months after moving to Ginger Cove. The two became friends, and a relationship grew out of their friendship. “I don’t know quite how it happened,” Martha smiled as she recalled. “It just sort of evolved very naturally.”

On March 24, 2012, Martha and Tim were married. Their reception was held at Ginger Cove and was truly a community affair. To celebrate their first milestone as a couple, Martha and Tim had the help of many of the community’s residents and staff. Martha laughs as she recalls all the friends who wanted to be her ‘flower girls.’ “In the end I had four ‘flower girls,’ and it was really hysterical, but I gave them all little duties and called them ‘flower girls,’” she said.Beyond the major milestones, moving to Ginger Cove has dramatically improved Martha’s everyday life. “They take such good care of us here, and I think that lengthens our lives,” she said. “I also think all the socialization this community provides helps us live longer and better.”

From carefree entertaining to the 35 resident committees and countless activities, Martha and her peers can always find something stimulating to do. Martha’s busy schedule includes water aerobics, kayaking on the nearby creek, and participating in the creative writing group, as well as her work on the community’s newsletter.

In addition to all her regular activities, Martha is also thrilled to be serving on the Planning Committee for Ginger Cove’s 25th anniversary celebration in August 2013. The group is already busy coordinating an old-fashioned picnic complete with a parade. “It will be a fun day, and a great chance to celebrate this wonderful community,” she said.

Martha is preparing to help Ginger Cove celebrate its 25th
anniversary in August. She is a part of the Planning Committee that is coordinating an old-fashioned picnic complete with a parade.

During the past 25 years, Ginger Cove has continually expanded and improved its facilities to serve its diverse and active group of residents. Most recently, the community completed a major renovation and construction project, which added a casual dining room with an outdoor deck, a large indoor aquatics center, a Wellness Center, a spa and a business center. The project also included total renovation of the 61-bed skilled nursing and rehab center to include all-private rooms, airy family rooms and a beautiful 5,000 square foot open-air garden.

Whether you are celebrating a second anniversary or a 25th anniversary, the occasion provides an opportunity to think back and to look forward — to appreciate where you have been and anticipate where you are going. As the residents of Ginger Cove plan for the community’s upcoming anniversary, they are grateful to have found a home that is adapting to meet their needs while maintaining its dedication to quality care and strong connections. Those connections are perhaps best exemplified by newlyweds Martha and Tim Wooldridge, who both suffered great losses, but who, with the help of their friends and neighbors, are making new memories and marking new milestones.

Music knows no boundaries. It can transport you – taking you back to your youth or helping you recreate a special memory. It can also foster strong connections, bringing together strangers and creating friends.

When music aficionados Dominic Chianese and William (Bill) Henry Shave joined together in song at The Methodist Home of the District of Columbia – an assisted living and skilled nursing care community in Northwest Washington, D.C. – the connection was undeniable. The two passionate musicians quickly became a harmonious duo.

Dominic Chianese is an actor and musician best known for his role as Uncle Junior on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Chianese’s acting credits also include The Godfather Part II and several other films with Al Pacino. An accomplished musician, he has also released several CDs featuring American and Italian songs.

Throughout his career, Chianese has remained dedicated to giving back to his community through his art. He established the Joy Through Art Foundation to enrich the lives of nursing home residents by connecting them with professional artists. When he contacted the American Health Care Association looking for a local facility where he could perform, they suggested The Methodist Home. During his first performance, Chianese met a less famous but no less passionate singer: Bill Shave.

Dominic Chianese and Methodist Home resident WIlliam Shave were connected by their love of music.

Shave moved to The Methodist Home in 2010 to receive the care he needed in a comfortable and safe environment. He quickly developed a reputation as the community’s most accomplished – and zealous – singer.

“Mr. Shave was very active in all of our programs,” remembered Linda Moreno, Methodist Home’s Director of Therapeutic Recreation. “He would lead Karaoke, but he sang from the time he got up until he went to bed, and he encouraged other residents to sing along with him.”

During Chianese’s initial performance at The Methodist Home, Shave was the first to join in. “Everyone was singing, but of course Mr. Shave sang the loudest and knew every song,” Moreno said. “When Mr. Shave started singing, Dominic immediately started walking toward him.”

“When he sang, he inspired me,” recalled Chianese of his new friend. After that first performance, Chianese stayed to sing one-on-one with Shave. He also offered Shave his guitar. Shave readily accepted and quickly began playing and singing “Danny Boy.”

What Chianese didn’t know at the time was that Shave had left his most prized possession, a vintage Gibson Guitar, behind when he moved because it had become so difficult to play. The opportunity to sing and play again was truly priceless to him.

During subsequent performances at The Methodist Home, Chianese always invited Shave to accompany him and welcomed his booming voice. The two men quickly came to respect and appreciate each other as true music lovers.

Knowing how much Chianese’s performances had meant to her father, Bettie Shave reached out to him after her father passed away in late 2012. Chianese expressed his desire to attend Shave’s memorial service and even cleared his schedule so that he could be present to honor his friend.

During the memorial service on March 19, 2013, at The Methodist Home, Chianese performed “Amazing Grace” and “Danny Boy” and led a sing-a-long in memory of Mr. Shave following the service.

“I know that music heals, and Bill knew that music heals,” Chianese said prior to his performance. “Whenever I sang here, he would sing along, and he sang with love. That’s the most important thing: he had love, and he shared it.” He continued, “I’m so happy to be here to sing for his memory, his inspiration, and to sing for everything he stood for.”

While Dominic and Bill’s friendship was brief, it was based on a shared passion that has sustained both men throughout their lives. They were never a famous duo, but when their voices blended, they experienced real harmony.

One of Gertrude (Trudy) Virginia Chedister’s earliest memories is of caring for her siblings. Nearly a century has passed since that time. Now 100 years old, Trudy proved to be a natural caregiver, and she still puts the needs of others first.

Born in Salem, West Virginia, Trudy was the second of nine children in her family. As she grew up, she became a caretaker for her younger siblings. “I helped take care of the children under me, and I loved that job,” Trudy remembered. While her older sister preferred to spend her time reading, Trudy always welcomed the opportunity to care for her siblings. “I ended up taking care of the children the most because my older sister didn’t like it, and I really did,” she explained.

“Everybody here is my friend. And I’m a friend to everybody, and I
help people when I can.”

Trudy’s partiality for child care served her well later in life. “I happened to make a good wife when I got married,” she smiled as she recalled. “And I had three children, and I’m proud of them all.”

When Trudy was widowed at just 46 years old, she became the sole caregiver for her two younger children. “Mom moved back to where her parents lived and bought a house after she was widowed,” recalled Trudy’s eldest daughter, Jo Ellen Covell. “I was 18 at the time, but my sister was 11 and my brother was 5. She raised them by herself.”

While parenting on her own was undeniably challenging at times, Trudy always remained positive. “My husband was very good, but the Lord helped me get through losing him, and I’m still going,” she said.

Judging by the deep devotion she has inspired in her children, Trudy did a lot more than just survive; she thrived. “She gave us a wonderful life,” said Jo Ellen. “She was the best mother anyone could have ever had. She cared for us. She taught us things. We owe her so much.”

As her kids grew up and Trudy grew older, she was determined to never be a burden on her family. She also wanted to plan her own retirement, so she took the initiative and moved to an assisted living community near her long-time home in West Virginia when she was 85.

Trudy enjoyed the fact that she no longer had to worry about lawn or home maintenance, and she was happy in her new home. However, after a few years, Jo Ellen convinced her to move to be closer to family. “We wanted to see her more often and be close enough to help out more,” Jo Ellen said.

Jo Ellen started searching for an assisted living community in Winchester, Va., near both her home and her sister’s. “I looked at every place in the whole area, and I brought Mom to see the ones I hadn’t eliminated,” she recalled. “We knew we wanted The Willows at Meadow Branch, but they had a waiting list.” Just weeks after placing their name on the waiting list, the family was surprised to get a call from The Willows informing them of an opening.

That was nearly 13 years ago, and Trudy has made the most of her life at The Willows. From sitting on the large front porch in the summer to participating in a range of activities throughout the year, she takes advantage of everything that community life has to offer.

“I really love everything about The Willows,” Trudy said. “They are so good to me, and they meet my needs, whatever they might be.”

Of course, for a person who has always loved others, getting to know so many new people is one of the perks of her new home. “Everybody here is my friend,” Trudy smiled as she said. “And I’m a friend to everybody, and I help people when I can.”

For Trudy’s family, having her close by has been wonderful. “It’s so amazing that I can stop in and see her anytime, even if it is just for 15 minutes,” Jo Ellen said.

Their close family ties have served Trudy and her children well. “I think it’s essential to maintain a strong connection to your parent,” Jo Ellen explained. “People who don’t see their parents are missing a blessing because they have a lot of wisdom to share and a lot of encouragement and love to give.”

Beyond the close proximity, Trudy’s family also benefits from the security of knowing that their mother — who dedicated so much of her life to caring for others — is well cared for at The Willows. “The staff here is just amazing,” said Jo Ellen. “They keep in touch with me and give me updates. They offer advice about how to handle things and will even suggest I should call her doctor.”

Gertrude Chedister is a natural caregiver who always put the needs of others first. Today, her family benefits from the security of
knowing that she is well cared for at The Willows at Meadow Branch.

Still a natural caregiver, Trudy modestly underestimates how much she has given to her family and friends. “I just tried to treat everybody like I’d like to be treated,” she said of her life of service. “I also asked forgiveness if I needed to, and I helped anybody anyway I saw that I could.”

Trudy’s simple ideals and positive nature are perhaps best exemplified by her poetry. A lifelong lover of plays and poetry, she commemorated her move to The Willows with a short but poignant poem:

“I moved to The Willows to enjoy life.

No more packing, moving or strife.

The next time I move, I won’t have to pack.

I’ll just follow Jesus and never look back.”

Trudy is certainly enjoying everything life at The Willows has to offer. And, true to form, she continues to give all that she can to her new friends and neighbors. After all, Trudy’s second century of caring just began.

Chemistry is the study of the composition, properties and reactions of substances. It is also the inexplicable connection that unites people. John Mutchler knows both types of chemistry well.

John Mutchler found the perfect balance of amenities to meet all his needs at The Hermitage.

A native Washingtonian, John grew up in Kensington, Md., and attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. From this top-rated public high school, he was able to go on to Cornell University, where he graduated with a degree in Chemistry.

John’s first job brought him back to Washington, D.C. He worked for the Gillette Company on Teflon-coated razor blades. Later, he pursued other ventures, but found himself drawn back to his work as a chemist. “As most people do, I changed jobs just to see if the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. I found out it wasn’t,” John recalled of his career move.

After returning to his original passion, John found his dream job as a chemist at a manufacturing plant in Northern New Jersey. “When I retired, I went out with a bang, instead of a whimper! I felt very fortunate that my last job was so satisfying,” he said.

While he found a lot of fulfillment in his work, John also enjoys spending time with his family, including his two children. He is also very close to his twin sister and spent many hours on the tennis court playing the single’s champion.

After retiring, John continued to live in Northern New Jersey. Several years ago, while still living alone, he fell and broke his back. While the injury was slowly healing, John realized that he needed some additional help. “I really couldn’t walk very far on my own, and I was very curtailed in my physical activities,” he said. “My daughter had always wanted me to come and live near them when I retired, so we started talking about it.”

When John’s daughter found The Hermitage, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Alexandria, Va., she thought it would be a perfect fit for her father. The location meant he would be close to most of his family. The community also offers the security of on-site health care or in-home services should they be needed in the future, all without an entrance fee.

“I came down here, and I was very impressed with the community,” John said. “Sure enough, I moved, and I’m really very happy here.”

John quickly discovered that The Hermitage offered the perfect balance of amenities to meet his needs. “They are really very good at serving three aspects here: physical needs, mental needs and spiritual needs,” he said. John explained that he participates in fitness classes and a bible study group and that his medical needs have always been promptly met.

While John is an avid participant in many activities, it is the friendships he has made since moving that have really changed his life. “Like any place, it’s the people that really count, and I’ve made so many friends here,” he said. Many of John’s friends are fellow participants in two of the community’s most active groups: the current events group and the poetry group. “We all look out for one another, and we’ve really become very close,” he explained.

Connecting with so many fascinating peers has made John’s transition easy. However, his unwavering positive attitude has also served him well. “I think people should try to focus on the many positive aspects of life in a community like this, and there are many, many positive aspects,” he said.

At The Hermitage, John has found a retirement lifestyle with the perfect balance of social, physical, mental and spiritual offerings. Most importantly, he has also discovered a community where the residents are truly connected and deeply engaged – a place with the right chemistry.

As lifelong educators, Jack Armstrong and Barbara Share have created quite a few lesson plans. When the time came to explore retirement living options, they approached the task like true educators: with well-defined criteria, meticulous checklists and a willingness to adapt their plans.

Now residents of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., Jack and Barbara began searching for the perfect retirement lifestyle early – and considered locations from Maine to North Carolina. Ultimately, the two academics were swayed by the opportunity to return to a true campus and enjoy a college-like lifestyle.

Jack Armstrong and Barbara Share are lifelong educators who carefully reviewed
all their retirement living options before
moving to Westminster at Lake Ridge.

It was their mutual passion for education that initially brought Jack and Barbara together. Married for 30 years, the couple met while working on a curriculum-development project for the Council of Independent Colleges.

With experience as a college professor and an academic dean, Jack was leading the project. Barbara was serving on the team from the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. After teaching at both the elementary and high school levels for decades, Barbara had begun teaching college courses and was the director of the continuing education program at Mount Saint Joseph.

“While I was interacting with her as a part of that team, she quickly got my attention,” Jack recalled. The couple began a long-distance relationship, which continued for several years. By the time the project ended, Jack and Barbara had decided to get married.

When Jack was offered a job at a University of Maine satellite campus, the newly married couple moved to the eastern coast of Maine. “It was a great place to live, and a marvelous place to start our marriage,” he said. He served as the academic vice president and also taught at the university before retiring.

Both nature lovers, Jack and Barbara enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife in Maine. However, they grew weary of winters that began in October and ended in May. “We retired in Maine, but after a year or so, we started looking south,” Barbara said. “I have some hip issues, and I wanted to be able to get outside without being afraid of falling.”

Jack and Barbara started planning. They made a list of must-haves. They narrowed down their locations, and they hit the road. “We took several weeks and  explored a number of areas,” Barbara recalled.

After willingly breaking two of their own rules, the couple settled on a new home in a golf community south of Wilmington, North Carolina. “We promised ourselves that we weren’t going to buy anything on that trip, and that we would never build a house,” Barbara smiled as she recalled. “We broke a couple of our rules, but it was a good experience.”

Jack and Barbara lived in the community near Wilmington for 14 years and enjoyed their proximity to the beach. However, they began to think about the next phase of their lives and started planning for retirement once again.

“With our educational backgrounds, we tend to be list makers and planners,” Jack explained. “That’s just part of our personalities.”

A passion for education brought Jack and Barbara together. They met while working on a curriculum-development project more than 30 years ago.

The planning started when Jack’s parents moved to a CCRC – a decision that was extremely uncommon among their generation. “My parents moved into a CCRC in their early 70s, and they were glad they didn’t wait any longer,” said Jack.

Frequent visits to Jack’s parents convinced Jack and Barbara that they wanted the lifestyle and security offered by a CCRC. As they began to look for the perfect community, location became a major factor. While they were living most of the year in North Carolina, the couple continued to spend the summer months at Jack’s cabin in Maine.

“Every year, we were making this 1,400-mile drive, and we’d stop in Vienna, Va., and stay with my sister for a couple of days,” Barbara recalled. When Barbara’s daughter and her family moved from California to near Richmond, Va., the D.C. Metropolitan region started to look even more attractive. During one of their visits, the couple picked up a copy of Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook and began researching local retirement options and identifying potential communities.

When Jack and Barbara visited Westminster at Lake Ridge, they knew they had found their new home. “I was really tired of filling 80 bags full of leaves every year, and I saw these beautiful cottages, and I knew I was ready,” said Barbara.

In addition to the location and the amenities, Jack and Barbara were also thrilled with the sense of community they found at Westminster. “Having been part of an educational community all of our adult lives, the campus-like atmosphere that was offered here was very appealing,” Jack said.

After moving, both Barbara and Jack quickly became involved in an array of activities. “There really are more activities offered here than you could even begin to take in,” Barbara said. “There are educational things, fun things, movies, so many interesting things – just everything you can imagine.”

Having been part of an educational community all of their adult lives, the campus-like atmosphere of Westminster at Lake Ridge appealed to Jack and Barbara.

Barbara works in the gift shop, which donates its proceeds to community service projects, and serves on the library committee. She is also a member of a memoirs group and has recently started painting for the first time in her life.

A lifelong environmentalist, Jack has been spearheading some of the community’s efforts to become more environmentally conscious while decreasing operating costs. Currently, he is working on a project to get residents to switch out all their regular light bulbs for newer, more energy efficient bulbs.

The couple also enjoys walking on the community’s nature trails and observing the many species of birds that call the community home. “It’s so beautiful here,” Barbara said. “I saw four Herons down by the lower pond just this morning.”

Beyond the wide range of activities, Barbara and Jack have enjoyed meeting so many fascinating new people and making new friends. “As soon as we moved in, we were embraced by everyone. They took us right in, and we had friends from the get-go,” Barbara recalled.

To individuals who fear moving to a retirement community, Jack and Barbara suggest considering everything they have to gain. “People don’t realize that moving to a community like Westminster will not mean losing their support network,” Jack said. “In fact, they’re going to increase their support system; they will have plenty of camaraderie, plenty of interaction and so many more friendships.”

After planning a couple of retirements, Jack and Barbara are relieved to have found the perfect home at Westminster at Lake Ridge. The couple made their lists, checked them several times and then waited until they found a community that fit their exacting criteria. Following their long search, these two lifelong educators are thrilled to be back on campus.

When we think of a “retirement community,” we tend to picture seniors at leisure, playing games and polishing their golf clubs. But that picture can be quickly shattered by a number of well-dressed CEO-types striding purposefully out the front door of Beaumont at Bryn Mawr. They’re

Beaumont at Bryn Mawr – A Gracious, Resident-Owned Community

setting off for work. For these Beaumont residents, keeping their day job into retirement is a choice. As a 2011 AARP study suggests, 31 percent of people turning 65 are still working full or part time, many simply to remain engaged. A Wells Fargo study goes a step further in saying that fully 74 percent of new retirees expect to continue working in some capacity beyond retirement.

Paul Mecray

Beaumont is a 5-star Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in the heart of the Main Line, the purview of the highly educated, accomplished and successful. No surprise then that Beaumont has its share of MDs, PhDs, CEOs, senators, and so on. These folks don’t keep their day jobs out of economic necessity. “Why would I give up my career and sit around, just because I moved to a retirement community?” asks Paul Mecray as he pats his briefcase full of nightly reading. Paul is managing director of a financial advisory firm, a leisurely 10-minute drive away. “I have spent my entire career analyzing the oil and gas industry… I am passionate about understanding things like productive capabilities of specific oilfields and the geo-politics of OPEC countries. It’s my hobby and my work wrapped into one.”

Heading off to work, Evelyn Rosen, PhD briskly walks out the door. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, she is an

Evelyn Rosen, PhD

energetic full-time professor of English at a local college. “I really resisted moving to Beaumont three years ago for fear of losing my independence,” she says. “But I actually feel more independent. Instead of the daily grind of working, shopping, cooking and cleaning, I have time to do the things I love. Everything is taken care of for me…great food, superb facilities and a wonderful staff. Sometimes I feel like I’m on vacation,” she adds with a smile.So what’s going on at Beaumont? A 2009 study by ASHA (American Senior Housing Association) found that the average age of new residents of CCRCs was 81. That’s certainly older and more “retired” than these vibrant professionals.

James Zug

As James Zug, another working resident, puts it, “We moved to Beaumont at the perfect time… while we were fully able to manage the move mentally and physically.” Jim retired from a ‘Big-4’ accounting firm when he was 60, moved to Beaumont at 72, and is fully engrossed in his encore career: angel investing in tech and pharma start-ups and serving on the boards of four major public companies.That’s more than a full day’s work; yet Jim says brightly, “Life is so much simpler now. And my wife and I didn’t lose anything…like control over our lives. Beaumont is resident- owned and resident-run, so you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want to be in decisions that affect you and the community.”

Margit Novack, expert on senior relocation and moving, echoes Jim’s sentiment. “The main reasons seniors wait too long to make the move are that they can’t let go of their “stuff” – the big house, the antiques, the mementoes – and they fear a loss of control. But doing nothing until age or events overtake you…that is a loss of control.”

Adolf “Dolf” Paier

Jim introduces Adolf (“Dolf”) Paier, who has a twinkle in his eye and a handshake that demands respect. Dolf has been a resident for a little over two years, “an escapee from the hassles of maintaining my old house,” he said. Dolf also started his career at a ‘Big-4’ accounting firm, but followed his entrepreneurial bent as President/COO of a large technology and healthcare incubator, CEO of an early stage medical software company, and now board member of a number of public companies. As a “side job”, he is chair of Beaumont’s finance committee “proud of our positive balance sheet” and board member and treasurer of a local arts university.“I like going to my office and interacting with other professionals… I call it being externally engaged while internally taken care of,” said Dolf. When asked what prompted his move to Beaumont, he smiles and says, “My wife. She was a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and insisted we move to a CCRC with a Nurse Practitioner on staff. For me, it’s Beaumont’s location, its non-institutional character and the fact that it is owned and run by residents.”

Granted, these “retired” professionals provide only a snapshot, but they exude energy worth bottling. They turn the old notions of retirement living upside down. As 7,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day and represent the leading edge of a senior population swell, will a working retirement become the new normal?

Mr. Paier’s words “externally engaged…internally taken care of ” perhaps sum it up best. Words to live by, regardless of age.

 Discover the Support You Need to Live the Life You Love 

In North Wales, The Solana^® Horsham offers senior accommodations that truly make a difference. That’s because our people strive each and every day to not only meet but also exceed the expectations of our residents and their families.

Step inside The Solana Horsham, and from the moment you do, you’ll be captivated by the comfortable surroundings, the sense of security and the welcoming environment. More than just a place to live, The Solana offers a way of life where you can immerse yourself in the activities that interest you most, while developing and nurturing new and enduring friendships. Most of all, you and your family will appreciate the peace of mind that comes from knowing your important needs are being met.

Now open, The Solana features Assistive Senior Living and Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care for residents who require specialized service and care.

Assistive Senior Living

The Solana’s special brand of Assistive Senior Living provides a beautiful place to live with just the right amount of help with everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing and grooming. Our care plans offer an ideal blend of convenience and support, enabling us to deliver personalized care with Respect for Individual Preferences^SM.

Working in concert with family members and personal physicians, we continually assess each resident and adjust services to meet their evolving needs. The result is a dignified lifestyle that is rich and rewarding and allows residents to live as independently as possible.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care is provided in The Solana’s specialized Clare Bridge^® environment. A feature exclusive to Brookdale Senior Living^® communities, the Clare Bridge concept has evolved over more than 25 years by continually embracing the latest ideas in good Alzheimer’s care practice, coupled with the experience of caring for thousands of individuals and families touched by dementia. Each resident receives an individualized approach, depending on the progression of the disease.

The Solana offers two distinct Clare Bridge^® settings:

• Clare Bridge Crossings provides a bridge between Assistive Senior Living and more advanced care and is designed for individuals whose altered sense of time and place may result in anxiety and the need for additional support. This proactive program builds upon aging research to sustain mental functions that are often impacted in the early-to-mid stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

• As clinical and support needs increase, our Clare Bridge residence provides a specialized environment for those in mid-to-late stages of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Staff members are highly trained to understand and manage the unique challenges associated with dementia and implement a four-step plan each day to help residents achieve Daily Moments of Success^SM.

At The Solana, we know the key to aging well is living well. That’s why residents enjoy fabulous amenities, such as chef-prepared meals and housekeeping, laundry and transportation services. What’s more, our Optimum Life^® program supports residents’ pursuit of wellness through six key dimensions: purposeful, emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and intellectual. As a result, every day here is filled with opportunities and experiences to keep residents connected and engaged.

From the compassionate support of Assistive Senior Living to the comfort of specialized Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, you’ll find everything residents need to enhance their quality of life in every possible way, even as their needs evolve. Best of all, it’s backed by the strength and stability of Brookdale Senior Living, the nation’s largest provider of senior accommodations.

Come see what our exceptional blend of hospitality, service and care means for you. Call (215) 642-2701 today to learn more.

THE SOLANA^® HORSHAM

A Brookdale^® Managed Community

Assistive Senior Living

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

1419 Horsham Road

North Wales, PA 19454

(215) 642-2701

www.brookdaleliving.com

Respect for Individual Preferences and Daily Moments of Success are Service Marks of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA. ® Reg. U.S. Patent and TM Office.

During his remarkable career, Frank E. Braxton, Sr., has held positions ranging from shoemaker to political appointee.
He learned several trades, pursued a few different careers and discovered a couple of passions. Frank E. Braxton, Sr.’s, lengthy resume includes positions ranging from his early work as a shoemaker to his many political appointments.

While Frank’s job titles are impressive, they don’t reveal his incredible work ethic. His lifelong commitment to service is best reflected by the wide array of awards that adorn the walls of his apartment at Atrium Village.

Atrium Village is a Senior Lifestyle Community in Owings Mills, Md., offering independent living, assisted living and memory care. Frank made the move to Atrium’s assisted living community after a series of illnesses left him hospitalized.

During his remarkable career, Frank E. Braxton, Sr., has held positions ranging from shoemaker to political appointee.

Unsatisfied with the care he had been receiving and looking for answers, his family decided to have Frank transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital. His mysterious symptoms, including uncontrollable shaking, began to clear up in just a few days.After a brief stay in rehabilitation, Frank moved to Atrium Village and quickly became an active member of the community.For Frank, who recently celebrated his 98th birthday, getting involved has always come naturally. A native Washingtonian, he pursued many different opportunities before delving into local politics. Shortly after graduating from Armstrong Technical School in Washington, D.C., Frank became a shoemaker.

“I found out that I wasn’t a good shoemaker pretty quickly when I started working in one of those fast shoe shops,” he recalled.

After discovering that shoemaking was not his calling, Frank struggled to get another position. “Jobs were hard to find back in the 30s,” he said. “Those of us who actually lived in D.C. had very little chance of getting a good government job.”

Determined to make his own way, Frank began shining shoes at a barbershop that served an elite clientele. “One of the lawyers who came there ended up giving me a letter of recommendation to work at the post office,” Frank remembered. “Because of his letter, I got a job. It was 66 cents an hour, but that was a good job.”

After this crucial recommendation, Frank’s career really took off. He eventually got an appointment at the Government Printing Office. However, shortly after starting his new job, Frank was drafted and joined the U.S. Army. Following a brief but distinguished military career, he returned to the States and was called back to the U.S. Postal Service.
A postal worker by day, Frank also became a watchmaker. “I did anything I could to make an honest living, and I made watches for about 15 years,” he said.

During his remarkable career, Frank E. Braxton, Sr., has held positions ranging from shoemaker to political appointee.

During his tenure at the Postal Service, Frank became involved in The National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees Union. He served as the Vice President of the local chapter and later became the Financial Secretary of the chapter. His involvement with the union continued even after his retirement. “Our local president became the national union president,” Frank recalled. “By this time, I had retired, but he appointed me to serve as chair of the retirees division.”Even while working full time, Frank amassed a significant amount of experience in local politics. Through the years, he held both elected and appointed positions in the D.C. government. He is most proud of his service on the First District Citizens’ Advisory Council. The Council was responsible for advising the commander of the D.C. Police Force about the services the community wanted and needed.“While I was on that Council, we earned the confidence of the neighborhood and also of the police officers,” explained Frank. “We were able to achieve amazing reductions in crime.”

Frank’s many political positions also included an election to the Democratic State Committee and an appointment to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, among others. The Board investigated alleged abuse of power by police officers and made recommendations for punishment.

While he is immensely proud of his work in the community, Frank readily admits that it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of his wife, Geneva. Frank and Geneva met on a streetcar in D.C. Frank had a girlfriend when they first met, but he knew that something was different about this young woman. “She just struck a nerve,” he recalled fondly. “There was something there that I just really liked.”

The couple married and had two children, Frank, Jr., and Yvonne. While Frank pursued his personal and political ambitions, Geneva provided stability for the family. “I was able to do so much because I always had the backing of my wife. I think now of the many nights that she was left alone while I was out doing something for someone else. She always supported me,” he said.After Geneva passed away nearly 20 years ago, Frank continued to live alone in their home. Last year, he started to have some health issues, including episodes of uncontrollable shaking. Frank was leaving his doctor’s office after a follow-up visit when he collapsed. It was this episode that led to his eventual transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital. While Frank was recovering, his grandson found Atrium Village, and the family has never looked back.

“I would recommend this community to anyone because of the care we receive,” said Frank. “At home, I would miss taking my medicine or run out of medicine. Since I’ve been here, I don’t have to worry about that.”

Frank also enjoys having three delicious meals prepared for him every day. Perhaps, most importantly, he loves the genuine interactions between staff and residents. “The personnel here are very attentive to all of us,” he said. “You often see them hugging the residents and giving them attention, and the residents return the affection.”

In addition to great amenities and personal relationships, Atrium Village offers a variety of spacious apartment styles, including floor plans that residents can personalize with favorite furnishings and cherished possessions. Residents also enjoy events and programs, scheduled transportation to doctors’ appointments and local shopping.

Since moving to Atrium Village, Frank has quickly adjusted and made friends. He has become an integral part of his new community and continues to give back in any way he can.

Pointing to the diverse plaques acknowledging his service as a politician and a community volunteer, Frank notes, “All the awards you see here are for things I did because I wanted to. I never wanted to be paid for the things I did. If I couldn’t do it out of the goodness of my heart, I didn’t want to do it.” Whether he was serving his customers, his constituents or his community, Frank’s commitment to service never wavered, and he always delivered his help with a smile. That, it turns out, is the key to an award-winning life.

“This is really a village; it’s not just a name,” said Bill Jadney, who made the move to Twining Village in March with his wife, Elaine. “The community is not big, but it is not tiny; you just wouldn’t believe how nice it is to live in a genuine village.”

June Clothier, who just moved to the community in May, concurred, “I love the relaxed atmosphere here, and the people are very friendly. There is a real sense of community.”

For the Jadneys, their first taste of life in a strong community came just a few months after they moved in, when Bill fell and broke his ankle. “The first thing we said was thank goodness we moved here,” recalled Elaine. “I was so impressed that the following day our executive director, Philip Hickey, greeted me by name and asked about my husband.”

Since day one, June has enjoyed the community’s amenities, and she continues to get involved in new activities. “I truly love no longer having to cook my dinner, and the food is great,” she said. “I also workout in the gym three days a week, and I’m looking forward to helping in the new library.”

Like good neighbors in any nice community, the staff and residents of Twining Village are constantly working to make their community better. “The staff is so incredible,” Elaine said. “From the maintenance folks to Jerry Gallagher and Kylie Emery in Marketing, everyone was so helpful with our transition.” Not surprisingly, Twining Village’s dedicated staff is juggling several improvement projects in various stages of completion.

A beautiful new dining room was recently completed, as were enclosed and climate-controlled walkways between the multiple buildings on campus. “Regardless of the weather − rain, snow or cold − we can walk inside from our apartment to the dining room or the wellness center or the auditorium,” said Bill.  However, the Jadneys often walk outside to enjoy the wooded campus featuring mature trees and garden courtyards.

There is also construction underway that will completely renovate the reception area. “If the new reception area is anything like the new dining area, it is going to be amazing,” Elaine said. “I loved the community before, and it just keeps getting nicer.”

Of course, even with all the new improvements, the one amenity that continues to captivate new and old residents alike is the intimacy of the Village. “This is really where everyone knows your name,” Elaine said. “I have been to other retirement communities that felt like hotels.” June added, “The people here are wonderful, and if you want to participate, there is always something to get involved in.”

At Twining Village, every improvement and each resident helps to nurture the dynamic spirit that makes the community a true village. As each new resident discovers, it does, in fact, take a village to create a rewarding retirement.

For more information about Twining Village, visit http://www.diakon.org/twiningvillage

Following this passion led naturally to many other interests. Whether crafting a vase for one of her favorite Ikebana flower arrangements, experimenting with glazes or teaching others how to throw a pot, Sylvia is doing what she loves to do.

While teaching pottery in the Pine Run Craft Barn, Sylvia Roman came to know Pine Run and the people who live there. A full service retirement community owned and operated by Doylestown Hospital, Pine Run is popular among active and artistic seniors. Drawing inspiration from a location well known for harboring creative types, Sylvia’s ceramics classes came alive with resident artists, designers and adventurous others taking full advantage of the new instruction and energy.

An accomplished potter, Sylvia is a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Crafts. She has exhibited locally including in Philadelphia and has been featured in shows and galleries throughout Canada and the United States. She became known for her skill in the ancient primitive Japanese process of Raku, where the piece is grabbed from a blistering hot fire and smothered in sawdust and leaves, allowing the smoke to chemically alter the liquid glaze and adding a unique metallic luster.

“My husband Robin assisted me pulling the pieces from the flames and was relieved when I shifted my focus.” explained Sylvia, “He jokes about finally growing his singed eyebrows back.”

The couple met as young University students in Canada, Robin destined for pharmaceutical research and Sylvia for pottery. After living and traveling all over the world, they found Bucks County to be as beautiful as any place they had ever been.

Sylvia credits their happy marriage to having similar tastes but different approaches. “Robin has a Ph.D. and works with his brain; I have to jump in and learn by actually doing it,” she said.

“We went to France last year to attend cooking classes and had such a great experience; we are going to take a class in Italy next. Robin is a wonderful cook,” said Sylvia. “I like it too, and I know how to debone a turkey.”

To support these interests and more, a unique 1,300 square foot cottage with a vaulted ceiling and skylights is taking shape at Pine Run. The new cottage features a gourmet kitchen boasting all the bells and whistles, a media room and a potter’s personal studio. Ebony cabinetry will complement a large Chinese brush painting of bamboo and horses.

“We found the painting in our travels; the design sensibilities are wonderful, and I love horses,” explained Sylvia.

Relocating for a time to Great Britain for Robin’s job meant that Sylvia had to sell her kiln and equipment, trading it all in for jodhpurs and boots. She seized this new opportunity to ride around Surrey’s country estates. Most fun was participating in old-fashioned pub rides full of good fun that held the promise of comfort, camaraderie and a pint at the end of a long ride.

This same adventurous spirit now leads Sylvia to Pine Run Community in Doylestown. “I really love it here,” she said. “I can’t wait to be able to walk right out of my door and over to the Craft Barn.” She says she feels a complete sense of happiness in this creative environment, working in the muddy water of a slip bucket, using her donated potter’s wheel as a teaching tool. As part of this new adventure, Sylvia is excited to see others give rise to a curvy pot or vase to sell at the Fall Festival or to be wrapped and given as a treasured personal gift.