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.

Joe and Gail Scott are preparing to move to a continuing care retirement community and are looking forward to meeting their new neighbors.

One of the golden rules commands us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Joe and Gail Scott took that advice literally.

The former neighbors married years after living next door to each other. Today, the Scotts are looking forward to meeting their neighbors at Vista Ridge at Ware Presbyterian Village, a new independent living community in Oxford, Pa.

While the couple’s love story started early – Joe was 17 and Gail was 16 when they met – Gail is quick to point out that it was not a storybook romance. “It wasn’t love at first sight,” she said. “We were neighbors, and we went to the same church, but we went our separate ways. He went to Yale, and I went to Muhlenberg.”

When the couple reunited after college, what was an old friendship turned into a new romance. Joe and Gail were married and went on to have five children, who they raised all over the country.

“I was an international logistics manager for Scott Paper Company,” Joe explained. “That involved a lot of travel.” As he moved up through the ranks in the company, Joe and his family relocated several times. The couple lived in Alabama, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Wisconsin, and with each move their family grew.

The Scotts were once again living in the Philadelphia area when Joe retired.  “We’ve been in southern Chester County now for 27 years, and we started to think about moving to a retirement community,” recalled Joe.

One of the first places the couple looked was Ware Presbyterian Village. “I had been a member of the fitness club there for three years, and I had gotten to know the staff pretty well,” Joe said. “I knew that it was an extremely well taken care of facility and that they take good care of the residents.”

Beyond the community’s staff and amenities, the Scotts also appreciated the location. “We liked the concept of a village within a village.  That’s really what Ware offers being so close to downtown Oxford,” said Joe.

Joe and Gail were pleased to learn that the construction of Vista Ridge would provide the opportunity to enjoy the amenities of the community while living in a private home. “We’re hoping to move in around October 2013. We wanted to plan ahead,” Gail said.

Planning ahead came naturally to Gail, whose parents lived in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Florida before such communities were widespread. “I’d visit my parents and I almost felt like I was visiting a college,” said Gail.

Looking for the camaraderie that her parents enjoyed, Gail knew she eventually wanted to move to a CCRC. She also wanted to make sure she and her husband would always have the care they needed without needing to move again. Vista Ridge at Ware Presbyterian Village offers independent living, as well as access to on-site assisted living or personal care, nursing care, and a dementia center.

The Scotts already have some plans for how they will spend their time once they are not fixing the house or mowing the lawn. An accomplished golfer, Joe officiates several tournaments a year for the Junior Philadelphia PGA tour and spends most of his spare time on the links. As for Gail, she enjoys singing and playing the piano and the guitar.

Of course, as Joe and Gail prepare for this major move, they are also looking forward to getting to know their new neighbors at Vista Ridge. They are a pretty neighborly couple, after all.

They both invite you to stop by the Welcome Center on the Ware campus and see the exciting plans for the new Vista Ridge development. You may find you want to be one of their new neighbors!

For seniors and their families, the physical challenges of moving are only the beginning. They also face the emotional challenges of finding the right home and the appropriate level of care.

With the expert assistance of a senior move manager, Carmen Cullen and her family have faced the physical and emotional challenges of moving on three separate occasions.

As her medical needs have changed, Carmen Cullen and her family have faced these challenges on three separate occasions. However, with the help of Senior Transitions, Inc., a firm specializing in relocating seniors, Carmen has always moved into a welcoming home.With the expert assistance of a senior move manager, Carmen Cullen and her family have faced the physical and emotional challenges of moving on three separate occasions.

A native of Baltimore, Carmen spent several years living in Florida after her husband of 50 years passed away. While she enjoyed the warm weather, she was far from family and friends. As Carmen’s 90th birthday approached, her daughters, Beth Kay and Marjorie Johnson, became increasingly concerned about her safety.

When Beth found North Oaks Retirement Community in Pikesville, Md., she knew it was a comfortable place where her mother could enjoy the company of lifelong friends. Because North Oaks is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering care levels ranging from independent living to nursing care, the family could also be confident that Carmen would always receive the care she needed.

The staff at North Oaks suggested the family enlist the help of a professional to make the long-distance move easier. They hired two move coordinators, Sharon Cofar with A Move Made Easy in Florida and Charna Kinneberg with Senior Transitions, Inc., in Maryland.

“Once we knew that Charna would be the mastermind of the move, all our anxieties were allayed,” said Beth. As one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers, Charna has helped spur the growth of this vital service industry. She created Senior Transitions, Inc., 10 years ago and has orchestrated thousands of seamless moves.

“Charna directed the movers, devised a floor plan, and even planned the contents of the drawers,” Beth said. “We walked in, and it was unbelievable. It was set up like a magazine shoot—so inviting and warm,” Beth recalled.

Carmen was able to immediately begin enjoying her new home, including many reunions with old friends. “The initial move was made much easier because the apartment was so lovely, and she knew the majority of the other residents through social relationships,” Beth said.

Beth and Marjorie returned to their respective homes with newfound peace of mind. Beth lives in New York with her husband, Stuart, and Marjorie lives in England with her husband, James, so knowing that their mother was with friends and surrounded by caring staff was a relief for them both.

In what would prove to be a prescient decision, Stuart kept Charna’s card just in case the family needed help in the future. While he knew Carmen would not be moving from North Oaks, he suspected that she might need to move within the community as her need for care increased.

As years passed, Stuart called on Charna a couple of times to help with small items, including getting signatures on various forms. It was outside the normal scope of her work, but Charna was always happy to help.

When Carmen’s mental status started to deteriorate, it became evident to the family that she needed to move to Autumn Ridge, the assisted living facility on the campus of North Oaks. With Charna’s assistance, Beth and Marjorie decided what should be included in the new unit. A new bed was purchased, a few wardrobes were obtained, the items from Carmen’s apartment that could be used were moved, and everything was set up. Although the move was difficult for Carmen, Charna and her crew eased the stress.

“Charna transmits the feel that she has everything under control—which she does,” said Beth. “No task is too insurmountable or too insignificant for her.”

Despite its smaller size, Carmen’s assisted living unit had the same feel as her independent living apartment, and she quickly began to adjust to her new home. With the help of home care aides, Carmen was able to remain in her new unit for several years.

Following a recent visit, Beth and Stuart were confronted with the reality that her mother needed additional care, which would mean another move. The staff at North Oaks agreed that Carmen needed to move to the nursing center in Autumn Ridge. Stuart again pulled out Charna’s card, and they met the next day.

It is never an easy thing to move a loved one into a nursing home. In addition to being a move coordinator, Charna is also a Registered Nurse, and she assured the family that they were doing the right thing. Beth noted, “Charna made all the necessary decisions in a few hours and then came back and took care of the move while my mother was in the dining room.”

Charna quickly and efficiently arranged clothing and personal items, hung pictures, and decorated the new space so Carmen would be comfortable. She made sure to keep things that would serve as memory triggers for Carmen. She also sent pictures of the new home to Beth and Stuart to reassure them that the move went smoothly.

Knowing that help is only a phone call away has made moving much easier for Carmen and her entire family. “A daughter really could not ask for anything more,” concluded Beth. “Charna has been our guardian angel.” With the expert assistance of Senior Transitions, Inc., Carmen and her family have managed several moves in the last few years—each ending in a welcome, new home.

What really makes a community? It is certainly not beautiful iron gates or modern homes filled with high-tech conveniences. Communities — real, strong communities — are made of dynamic individuals who share common interests and goals. A community is only as robust as its people.

It is the individuals at Chevy Chase House, a senior living residence in Washington, D.C., that are the heart of the vibrant community. Pictured from left to right: David Breasted, Ruth Nadel, Evie Thompson, Dallal Richards and Charles Missar.

At Chevy Chase House, an assisted living facility in Washington, D.C., an incredible group of active residents are the heart of this thriving community.

We met David Breasted, a former reporter for The Evening Star, and Evie Thompson, the mother of two incredibly accomplished women, Anne Henderson and Nina Altschiller. Dallal Richards, an avid horticulturalist, bridge player and flower show judge, is also a central part of the community. And Charles Missar, who worked for The Library of Congress and the Office of Education, is another of the many vibrant individuals who call Chevy Chase House home.

While there is no shortage of active residents with fascinating stories, no one better exemplifies the positive spirit that permeates Chevy Chase House than Ruth Nadel.

“I just celebrated my 98th birthday, and, I must say, I’ve enjoyed every bit of my 98 years,” said Ruth. A lifelong activist and organizer whose growing legacy includes a scholarship foundation and a volunteer network, Ruth has always been interested in furthering educational opportunities and building strong communities.

Ruth’s passion for education started early. She was a member of the first class at the City University of New York’s Baruch College that admitted women. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and later got her Master’s in Education and became a teacher.

At the tender age of 20, she was teaching high school students. She quickly became involved in the first of many community partnerships. “I taught many immigrant children; we’d give them vocational training and find them jobs provided by cooperating business organizations,” she said. “These youngsters never dropped out, and they got business experience.”

Later, as the mother of four boys, Ruth was active in the educational community as a volunteer. Her unpaid work did not go unnoticed. She was elected to the school board in Santa Barbara, CA, where the family lived in the 50s and 60s.

Through her work on the school board, Ruth realized that many minority children did not have an opportunity to continue their education. She, with several other community activists, took it upon themselves to start The Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation to provide support for these children. “Anyone seeking further or higher education is eligible – whether to be a plumber or an engineer, a student or an artist,” she said.

Reappointed by the Mayor, Ruth continues to serve on the D.C. Commission on Aging among other organizations. She especially appreciates her retirement community's limo service that helps her take advantage of these outside opportunities.

Ruth and her fellow founders invited Santa Barbara’s business and community leaders to a luncheon. “That was 50 years ago,” she said with genuine pleasure. “It was enlarged to include some neighboring counties, and it is rated today as one of the best nonprofits in the country.”

After raising their children in Santa Barbara, Ruth and her husband moved back to the east coast and settled at the Van Ness North in Washington, D.C. When the residents of the cooperative apartment building noticed that one of their neighbors was blind and needed extra help, they decided to take action.

They turned to Iona, a non-profit agency providing community-based programs and services to seniors in Washington, D.C. With the help of Iona, Ruth developed a questionnaire that polled residents about their need for help or, alternatively, their willingness to help their neighbors.

The response was overwhelming, and the project eventually became what is now the Volunteer Neighbor Network. “To this day, so many years later, it is still thriving,” said Ruth. “And now, would you believe there are over forty different kinds of services available, more than half of which are social?”

Based on accredited unpaid work after years of volunteering, Ruth became a public servant for 21 years in the Women’s Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor. During her tenure, she received the Distinguished Service Award for designing and developing the first employer supported child care center in a government agency. After retiring, she returned to her full time pro-bono work.

Today, Ruth continues her community involvement from her new home at Chevy Chase House. In fact, moving has made it easier for her to fulfill her many commitments.

Ruth was reappointed by the Mayor and continues to serve on the D.C. Commission on Aging. She is active in several organizations, including the National Council of Women’s Organizations. But even at 98, getting to meetings is never a concern, thanks to Chevy Chase House’s transportation service. “The thing that amazes me is the limo service,” Ruth declared. “It’s available to take you anywhere, and then you call and they come pick you up.”

When Ruth is not out fulfilling her many obligations, she is busy becoming part of her new community. She is even enjoying some leisure activities she never had time for, including a poetry reading group. “Chevy Chase House provides so many chances for you to enjoy yourself. You’re kept as busy as you want to be!” she observed.

In addition to the community’s many amenities, Ruth has welcomed making new friends in her 90s. “I enjoy everyone here. There are so many broad backgrounds and some very interesting people,” she stated. “The opportunity to make friends with these people here, it’s a new life.”

Ruth also appreciates the security that Chevy Chase House provides. From medication service to help with daily tasks, she knows that there is always someone available to help. Since her initial move was the result of a traumatic fall two years ago, she realizes just how essential this security is to her active lifestyle.

“Don’t believe the popular misconceptions about a retirement home,” Ruth said. “I call this my third life, and it really, really is.” She concluded, “It’s just wonderful that you can come here and see what a new life is like, and my nature is to take advantage of it.”

Ruth and her fellow residents are certainly benefiting from all that Chevy Chase House has to offer. As individuals, they are all remarkable seniors with a wide array of professional and personal accomplishments. Together, they have become collaborators in an exceptional community.

By Christy Brudin

Whether through careful study or active participation, successful artists are always connected to their subjects. No matter their method or their medium, they have to be engaged in their environments. Art is simply not for the passive.

It is no surprise then that Park View Communities are home to more than a few artists.  At Park View, active older adults enjoy a variety of social and recreational activities, 24-hour maintenance, and community amenities. With nothing to worry about, residents can focus on other activities—like connecting with their neighbors and perfecting their artistic talents.

Life Without a Car (and with a Camera)

Ed Sawyer can often be found walking around his independent living community with his camera at his side.

“Photography forces me to get out and keeps me very active,” said Ed Sawyer, a resident at Colonial Landing, a Park View community in Howard County. “Every day, I wander around somewhere, and I almost always carry a camera.”

The products of Ed’s journeys adorn the walls of his apartment. From a large buck in a nearby field to a bird perched on a snow-covered branch, they tell the story of a man who is intimately connected to his environment and feels very much at home.

Having lived around the world, the move to Colonial Landing to be near his two daughters and their families was an easy decision for Ed.  “When I was ready, I just packed my bags, and I came here,” he said of his move six years ago.

During his years in the Air Force, Ed was trained as a Russian linguist and lived in places ranging from Turkey to Japan.  Even after leaving the Air Force to spend more time with his growing family, Ed continued to frequently change jobs—and locations.

For Ed, new locations have always meant new places to walk. The avid walker averages more than two miles a day and has not driven a car since he was a teenager.  “I’ve never had a driver’s license.  I’ve never seen the need,” he said.  “I’ve always lived where I could take a train or a bus or walk.”

At Colonial Landing, Ed walks to the library and the senior center. He hikes around local ponds. He catches the bus right in front of the community to visit his daughter, and he often joins in community bus trips to local sites.

“It seems to me that you have to be active as you get older,” said Ed.  “You have to get out and move around and talk to people.”  At Colonial Landing, Ed has the freedom to be active and the time to be inspired.

Trading Memories for Adventure

At Timothy House, a Park View community in Towson, Ruth Gaphardt is making some inspiring connections of her own.  “I’m not one for hiding away. I like to be out, and I’m very active,” she said.

In fact, Ruth has become more active since moving to Timothy House and giving up home maintenance. “I think anybody is making a mistake if they hold on to their dear old home because they don’t want to part with the memories,” she said.  “You can’t live with memories, and this has been a fun new adventure.”

Ruth’s adventure has brought with it new friends and new opportunities to participate in a variety of community activities, including the Eating Together program. Eating Together is a Baltimore County program that provides nutritious meals at a low cost to seniors.  In addition to good food, the program offers a great opportunity for residents to socialize.

If Ruth is not at Eating Together or one of the other activities at Timothy House, she can often be found at nearby Bykota Senior Center, where she takes weekly art classes.  She’s even recruited a few of her neighbors to join in her art class.  “Our class is really like family, which makes it so nice,” she said.

When Ruth points out her paintings displayed throughout her apartment, it is clear that she is a star student.  Discussing a painting of the sunset over Smith Island on the Chesapeake Bay, she recalled, “I went there with a friend, and we just spent time painting and looking and investigating the island.”

Through art classes at her local senior center, Ruth Gaphardt is pursuing a lifelong passion.

Community Connections

Artists like Ed and Ruth are as engaging and dynamic as the stunning photos and beautiful paintings they create. Moving to Colonial Landing and Timothy House has helped them to make new connections with their environments, their neighbors, and their communities.

“There is a great community spirit at Timothy House,” noted Sharon Murphy, Property Manager. “The residents really look out for one another.” That community spirit is seen during frequent activities and outings and is evident in the way the properties are managed.

“We are owner managed,” said Sharon.  “That’s very important to residents because we are always focused on improving the community.”

By offering affordable apartments for individuals with moderate incomes, Park View is giving active seniors like Ed and Ruth a place to call home—and a place to showcase their inspiring creations.

It was the end of a long day when Mary Knapp, Director of Health Services, got an email from a bathtub vendor to enter a contest and “win a one-of-a-kind, pink spa tub, made in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 2011.”  The Mastercare manufacturer was asking healthcare providers to submit stories that described how they supported breast cancer awareness within their community.

Having just completed her annual budget planning meetings, where a State mandate forced her to included a request for funds to purchase an Abington House bathing tub, Mary decided to fire off an essay.  She had fresh memories of a member of Foulkeways healthcare team who had recently completed treatment for breast cancer and she could easily share how the entire team had rallied around their teammate.   When she finished her submission, she hit the ‘send’ button on her computer, then left for home, putting all thoughts of spa bathing tubs out of her mind.  Within a month, she received a call from the CEO of Mastercare, who told her that her essay had been chosen as ‘The Grand Prize Winner,’ and that a new, $13,900, pink, Entrée Bathing System was on its way to Foulkeways from Nebraska.  Mary couldn’t remember the details of what she had written in her essay, and because she never dreamed that her article would be chosen, hadn’t made a copy, so now she and found herself agreeing with the Mastercare CEO’s comments as he went on and on about her award-winning piece being both poignant and expressive.  “I was racking my brain trying to remember exactly what I had written; and he was being so kind and generous.”

By the end of 2011 the tub arrived, and it weighed a ton!  It took most of the Foulkeways Maintenance Department, working together, to move it but move it they did, right into the permanent home that had been created in Abington House just down the hall from the Haircrafters Hair Salon.   Once Jon La Rue from the Maintenance Department installed the Jacuzzi, the healthcare team realized that this magnificent, top-of-the-line, made in America, bathing tub was not just pink, it was HOT PINK….I’m talking bubble gum, flaming, flamingo, PINK!   The team decided that this ‘beauty’ needed to be showcased in the new spa area they had created.   After all, it pre-heats the seat and the water coming into the chamber and keeps the water heated to a preset temperature during the bath. It comes with hot air jets and a wave action to enhance the spa experience.  Aromatherapy and a side door that raises and lowers with a touch of a button, makes this no ordinary bathtub.

The healthcare team decided that this new, big, bright, bold spa tub needed to be surrounded by a big, bright, bold Caribbean theme, since the winning essay was inspired by a staff person from Jamaica who was being treated for breast cancer.  Nursing staff stayed late into the night hanging a wall mural with a fantastic tropical fish pattern found on sale, online, and the Maintenance staff painted the rest of the room and repaired wooden cabinets.  Lisa Cianci, Administrative Assistant in Health Services, found two vintage Foulkeways chairs that she volunteered to paint and recover to match the new décor.  Staff searched every store in the vicinity, and online, to find the perfect big, thick, thirsty, king-sized bath towels, on sale, that also color coordinated with the newly painted walls, the bold fish wallpaper, and of course, the PINK spa tub.  These economical beauties also had to pass the Foulkeways Housekeeping Team’s ‘wash and dry’ test.

“One day,” explains Mary, “when I was heading home on Folly Road, I came across a pile of old wooden window frames, lying along the side of the road.  Some homeowner was throwing them out!  They were nice wooden frames with wooden cross bars, so I slammed on the breaks, got out and threw them into the back of my car.  I took them home to my garage, thinking to myself, ‘I’ll bet I can use them, I’m just not quite sure how.’   After a few weeks my husband, Karl, starting grumping at me about the pile of old windows taking up garage space, but I knew I’d stumbled across them for a reason, so I just let his complaints go in one ear and out the other….

“As the spa neared completion, it suddenly dawned on me that we would have to keep the drapes on the windows in the room closed, for obvious reason!  That’s when I realized my ‘roadside treasures’ would come in handy, so I bought a couple of 99 cent posters printed with beach scenes, tacked the posters behind the old window frames and then had the windows  mounted on the walls of the Spa.  Now when residents are luxuriating in the PINK spa, they can look out the ‘windows’ and enjoy a view of the beach”.

All residents at Foulkeways are encouraged to enjoy the new Spa; its use is not limited to the residents in Abington House.  Creating this new space turned into a labor of love, shared by members of multiple Foulkeways departments.  What began as a tribute to honor the caring and support coworkers willingly extended to one of their own, has grown into a special project that has created a space devoted to relaxation and rejuvenation.  Thanks to our new PINK tub and the hard work of so many Foulkeways employees,  residents can ‘book’ a mini  tropical vacation in our Abington House Spa, without ever leaving our campus.  “For a brief moment, they can step away from their everyday lives and immerse themselves into the soothing warmth and relaxation afforded by our new Pink tub.  We think we’ve come as close to duplicating a tropical ‘HUG’ as we could, and everybody can use an extra hug from time to time!” smiles Mary.

If you walk into the lobby of the Revitz House in Rockville, Maryland on a typical day, you are sure to see many smiling faces and residents rushing to make their next appointment or activity.  What might surprise you, however, is that you are also likely to see a few tails wagging around.  This is due to the fact that the independent living residence located on the campus of the nonprofit Charles E. Smith Life Community wholeheartedly embraces the importance of small pets in residents’ lives.

Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook was able to catch up with two interesting residents who have thrived in the community with a little help from their “best friends.”

Lida Moser
A native New Yorker, Lida Moser exudes energy and has a countless supply of stories of her life in New York City. Although she considers herself “a normal child of immigrants,” she was at the epicenter of the New York art scene for over three decades.  Referred to as a pioneer in photojournalism and a well-respected photographer, Lida has travelled the world for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and many other magazines in addition to creating a highly-regarded photo documentary assignment throughout Canada.

Her travels eventually led her to the Washington, D.C. area.  “New York got to be too difficult, too expensive, just too many ‘too’s,’” she says with a laugh.  “I wasn’t photographing much anymore, so I thought, ‘What am I living here for?’”

Both New York natives, Leslie Katz (left) and Lida Moser are now happy to be living at Revitz House, the pet-friendly independent living residence of the Charles E. Smith Life Community.

Now a resident of Revitz House, she is quick to share how much she loves the surroundings, the staff and her fellow residents along with the countless amenities in the community.  In addition she says, “The food is phenomenal.”

A HUD-subsidized residence, Revitz House enables individuals to be part of a warm and friendly environment with access to restaurant-style dinners and the security of a personal emergency call system and 24-hour front desk.  It is just one of the soon-to-be six residences on the Charles E. Smith Life Communities campus that range in healthcare services from independent and assisted living to outpatient medical care, in-home private duty assistance and outstanding rehabilitation. Revitz House, the Hebrew Home’s Wasserman and Smith-Kogod Residences, Ring House, Landow House and the Hirsh Health Center will be joined this coming September by the Cohen-Rosen House, an assisted living residence designed to care for individuals with memory issues.

“Beginning with the first Hebrew Home in 1910, we have grown, changed and adapted to meet the dynamic and emerging needs in our community,” says Warren R. Slavin, President/CEO.   “The move from downtown Washington to the campus in Rockville more than 40 years ago opened the opportunity to expand both in terms of residences and programs, always staying true to our Jewish values.  Our goal is to make life more caring, more vital for that one man, that one woman, that one family.”

On the campus is a full-time onsite medical staff that includes physicians skilled in geriatric medicine along with a podiatrist and nurse practitioner who specialize in geriatric care.  The community offers person-centered quality care and programs and services that touch so many families, and prides itself on being open to everyone in the greater community.

A well-respected photographer and pioneer in photojournalism, Lida loves the amenities, surroundings and staff at her retirement community, but she particularly appreciates being able to have her dog, Melissa.

This welcoming nature extends even further, as Lida will happily vouch alongside her trusted companion, a miniature greyhound named Melissa.  In addition to the convenience and many offerings at Revitz House, it is clear Melissa has played a vital role in Lida’s happiness and well-being as the duo has been together since 2005.  “I love animals and I love nature. I think she’s gorgeous and graceful,” she says.

As perhaps expected, Lida willingly admits that she ‘spoils her friend rotten.’    “I’ve been feeding her too much. Her little behind was like nothing when I got her,” she says grinning.

Leslie Katz
Like Lida, Leslie Katz hails from New York, where she was on a fast-track career path. “I had an incredibly fascinating job,” she says.  Over the years, Leslie obtained two Masters Degrees, lived all over the globe and learned to speak several languages.

Her world dramatically changed, however, when she became sick and needed to leave her job and ultimately change the lifestyle she had loved so much.  Her condition was very rare, and was undiagnosed for nearly 13 years.

Leslie started to modify her lifestyle to accommodate her disability and budget, but after living in New Mexico and Charlottesville, Va., she yearned to return to the D.C. Metropolitan area.  While researching options, she learned about the Revitz House, which met her three key requirements: a central location, affordability and, most importantly, it was pet-friendly.

Animals have been an important part of Leslie’s life, spanning back to her childhood passion for horseback riding.  She refers to her current dog, Comfort, as her “lifeline.”

“He’s a much loved dog here and people like having him in the community. He loves to come down to the lobby and see all his friends,” Leslie says with a smile.

Now in the “recovery phase” of her illness, Leslie is taking her love for animals one step further by enrolling in a two-year education program to become a veterinary technician.

Leslie is enrolling in a two-year education program to become a vetrinary technician. Her dog and "lifeline," Comfort, is extremely popular at the senior living community as he is often seen greeting individuals in the lobby.

Although she has a driver’s license, one of the reasons she chose to move to Revitz House is the abundance of public transportation nearby in combination with the community’s complimentary bus transportation for regular trips to shopping and cultural outings.  As a result, Leslie enjoys saving money and not having to worry about the other hassles of maintaining a personal vehicle. 

With these impending changes, a vibrant environment and secure lifestyle, Lida and Leslie could not be more pleased with the choice they have made. Though they have the ability to be mobile and access the many amenities outside their community, it is especially important for these two women to know that when they return, they have two special friends happily waiting for them.

“I know that when I go home, he’s waiting for me, and he’s ‘it’ for me,” Leslie beams.

Regardless of age, the joy a pet can bring to one’s life is undeniable.  While research over the years has shown that pets can provide certain health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, their most important gift is that of companionship.

Just ask Dolores Saynuk, Libby Anderson, Alice Cowger and Velma Keck.  As residents of Brightview Senior Living communities, they are already relishing the vibrant environments, various amenities and security of healthcare services found at their respective homes.  And thanks to their accommodating staffs, they get to enjoy the extra perk of having a furry friend.

Dolores Saynuk and Libby Anderson are two of many residents who care for Carlie like a grandchild!

Carlie
At Brightview Avondell in Bel Air, Dolores Saynuk and Libby Anderson are among the many residents in love with the community’s ‘mascot,’ Carlie the dog.

“She spends time with the residents; she’ll go up to their apartments and stay with them if they need a pick-me-up or hug,” said Community Sales Associate, Donna Panzer.

Carlie was originally bought by a resident named Linda, who suddenly became sick and had asked the executive director, Eileen to ensure the dog would have a good home. Since stepping in to care for Carlie, Eileen has brought her to the community every day.

“I love that Carlie brings me lots of love and fun.  She lies on my bed, snuggled up in my blankets and comes to me for treats,” said Dolores.

Libby, who often takes Carlie on walks, could not be happier that Avondell allows pets, knowing the impact they have had on her.  “I find that having a pet to love and talk to can bring me out of an anxiety attack or being down in the dumps,” she said.  “Carlie can make me smile and get over that real quick.”

Libby’s smile is not the only one seen throughout Avondell, as she and Dolores agree that pets aside, their community provides a warm and welcoming environment. Offering independent and assisted living services, the community boasts a range of activities and events, from happy hours to fitness classes.

“I love everybody here and we have so much to do,” said Libby.  “When I go out, I look forward to coming back here.  I always have a good time with friends and the staff and it’s just a fabulous place to be, really and truly.”

Maggie
When

Alice Cowger loves the companionship of her beloved cat Maggie.

moved to Baltimore in 1945, she immediately felt at home.  Now, she has that same feeling living at Brightview Mays Chapel Ridge, an independent and assisted living community in Timonium that also offers award-winning Alzheimer’s care.

“I came here quite by accident.  I was driving by one day with a girlfriend and wanted to see what it was all about,” she said.  After meeting with the director, Alice revisited the community with her son who fully supported the idea knowing she would be free of the worries of maintaining her apartment and able to stay in the immediate area.

A year after moving to Mays Chapel Ridge, the great-grandmother of seven inquired about bringing a cat to the community.  Delighted to find out she could, she adopted Maggie from the SPCA.

“They were so nice about letting me have her here,” said Alice.  “Now, residents look at Maggie and talk about how they would like to have a pet.”

With her companion who is always there to greet her, Alice never feels alone, but she would have to say the camaraderie among residents and staff has also contributed to the feeling of ‘home’ at Mays Chapel Ridge.  If she needs to leave for a few days, she knows the residents or staff will gladly feed and take care of Maggie.

“I never looked back or was sorry I moved.  This is a great place to live, all the people are so congenial and I would recommend it to anybody,” she said.  “I can’t think of a place that would be better for me and Maggie.”

Ben (“Benny”)
While Libby, Dolores and Alice had pets come into their lives after moving to their communities, it was the fact that she could bring her dog, Benny, to Brightview Westminster Ridge that strongly appealed to

Velma Keck knew there was no way she would move without her beloved dog.

when she had been researching options.

Having lived in Maryland most of her life, the mother of three moved with her husband to Rehoboth for a few years.  When he passed away, Velma’s daughter convinced her to move back.  While living in a condo, however, she had a couple of falling incidents and knew it was time to look into a community that could offer her security for the future.

It was extremely important for Velma, however, to find a home that would welcome her dog, Benny, who she had adopted from the SPCA when he was just four months.  “I love him dearly and I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to him,” she said.  “He’s my little buddy.”

Fortunately, Westminster Ridge, a community that provides independent, assisted and Alzheimer’s care is well-known for welcoming pets.

“We were actually one of the first communities in Carroll County to have a dog park,” said Karen Holstein, community sales director. “Our residents that have pets absolutely love the fact that the entire community, even those that do not have pets, embrace the concept of their choice.”

With the amenities at Westminster Ridge and other Brightview communities, including housekeeping, laundry services and chef-prepared meals, Velma enjoys having the time to take Benny to the park and introducing him to fellow residents.

“I love everybody I’ve met here,” said Velma.  “It’s great being around people my age and in the same boat.”

An Added Bonus
With an abundance of fun activities, supportive staffs and freedom from home maintenance, it is clear these four women could not be happier with the communities they have chosen, and that the ability to have the companionship of a pet is just the ‘cherry on top.’

As Donna from Avondell said with a smile, “Pets in general are wonderful.  They give compassion, unconditional love and they don’t talk back.”

Dawn Strumsky, John Strumsky and Michelle Caldwell pictured in the fitness center at Oak Crest represent the new breed of health conscious community residents.

Although the “obesity epidemic” seems to be grabbing headlines, Baby Boomers are surprisingly quite serious about their physical health and exercise regimens. A recent survey sponsored by Humana revealed that nearly 75 percent of over 50 Boomers exercise at least three times a week, and nearly half of the respondents have established a commitment to exercise for at least five years.  These statistics are already changing the face of senior living communities as this more active and health-conscious consumer begins to research alternatives.

Charlestown and Oak Crest are two senior living communities in Baltimore County that are ahead of this curve by having made a commitment to embrace this trend offering state-of-the-art facilities, services and support to address the needs of residents now and in the future.

“Oak Crest and Charlestown are adapting with the times and with the needs of their residents,” said Jeff Getek, public affairs manager with Oak Crest and Charlestown.   It is through an ongoing dialogue with the residents of these large campuses that they are able to deliver. “Each year we survey the residents, we ask them what we do right, what we could improve upon. They give us feedback and, together with them, that’s where we see better results,” Jeff continued.

The campuses have made a commitment to deliver on the results of the survey, At Charlestown, the fitness center with amenities will be expanded to 4,300 square feet, and the aquatics center will grow to nearly 6,000 square feet as part of the campus modernization underway.  A new computer room will be opened in Charlestown Square. Meanwhile at Oak Crest, individuals have seen an expanded fitness center with personal training services among other improvements. Both campuses have expanded the hours of operation for their fitness centers to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This new generation of residents wants more freedom, wants more flexibility as to when they want to do things, and we try to adapt to that,” said Jeff.

And if these communities can meet the demands of two fitness buffs, Oak Crest resident Michelle Caldwell and Charlestown resident John Strumsky, then they are clearly ahead of the curve in addressing the needs of a healthier population.

Temica Carter a personal trainer at Oak Crest works with Michelle on her fitness program

Michelle Caldwell
A native of Baltimore, Michelle’s path to Oak Crest was an interesting one. In 2002, Michelle’s parents had moved to the community.

“At first my Dad did not want to move, so they had an application in for a few years and finally Dad agreed to make the move,” she said.  “At first my Dad did not want to move, so they had an application in for a few years and finally Dad agreed to make the move,” she said.  “Once he got here, he quickly made the transition.”

Visiting her parents regularly, Michelle quickly felt like a part of the community, “I became very familiar with many of the residents and staff and I fell in love with Oak Crest,” she said. “Everyone embraced me as well as my parents.”

She recalled one example in which she went to pick up a meal in the café for her mom and did not return for 45 minutes having started conversations with residents.

When her mother passed away, Michelle began working on closing her parents affairs.  She inquired about the minimum age requirement to live at Oak Crest

“They said 60 and at that time I was 59-1/2, so that day I was able to put in an application and reserve my parents’ apartment,” she said with a smile. “I was able to move in for my 60th birthday. I think I had the distinction then of being the youngest resident.”
Since moving to the community, Michelle said she has been “going non-stop.”  This is not hard to believe with her extensive list of activities ranging from Bible study to volunteering at the resident-run TV station. As a result, she has formed many friendships. “There is such a wealth of sharing that many of the residents actually want to do,” she said.

It is Oak Crest’s ability to support her commitment to health and fitness, however, that really makes her happy.  Working with Temica Carter, a wellness manager and personal trainer at the community, Michelle never misses a session.

“She’s an inspiration to everyone here. She is here three days a week at 8:00 a.m. sharp, and she’s just a pleasure to have around,” said Temica. “The fact that she really makes fitness a priority is something that both the employees and residents really look up to.”

While she maintains a healthy lifestyle, Michelle is especially appreciative of the security she has at Oak Crest, whether it is regarding her physical safety walking at night or knowing she has access to different levels of care, including assisted living and nursing, should she need it in the future.

Dawn and John Strumsky enjoy the vast fitness and social offerings at Charlestown as well as the sense of community and security.

Dawn and John Strumsky
“I am very competitive with myself,” said Charlestown resident John Strumsky with a smile.  The former Marine has not only pushed himself to new limits in fitness, but he has inspired others.  In 2000, John and his wife Dawn co-founded the US Running Streak Association (USRSA) whose members strive to run at least one continuous mile within each day. Membership in the organization is open to those running every day for one year, however, there are members that have run every day for multiple years including John.

It was an injury that forced John to end his multi-year running streak, and that played a role in the couple’s decision to move to Charlestown.  Dawn had a friend that lived at the community who she had visited several times.

“I thought the community was wonderful,” she said.  “Since we didn’t have family nearby, it could provide us with security for the future.”

Hesitant at first, John eventually saw how important the transition was for his wife and presented Dawn with his signature for her birthday. Now that the couple has settled into their new home, he has found the community offers more than enough outlets for his highly active and competitive nature.

Although he was a regular visitor to the fitness center, he has shifted his focus to the Walk Challenge, a competition between Erickson Living residents and staff throughout the nation. “He literally walks day and night,” said Dawn.  “When we lived in our old neighborhood I was always nervous when John would go on an early morning run and now I have no worries.”

John has also enjoyed the fact that the pathways are well lit, and in the event there is bad weather, there are miles of climate-controlled walkways throughout the campus that can be used without stepping outside.

Overall the Strumskys described their life at Charlestown as “living large.”  Their home offers them so many amenities, clubs and dining options that they have to carefully budget their time.

While the fitness, amenities and security are great benefits to living in Charlestown, the couple said that the feeling of connectedness to their neighbors is what makes it truly special.  Dawn tearfully recounted when their beloved dog, Twinkie passed away.  Although saddened by the loss of their ‘family member,’ she was amazed at the outpour of support she received from her new neighbors. Both Dawn and John have felt they are part of an amazing family.

Reflecting on his initial “foot dragging” when making the move, John said, “I should have at least been more open to it.  You develop a mind set about things that you haven’t experienced. And then when you experience them, you realize that the experience, the reality, is so different from what your personal perceptions were and you could be so off-base with something””and that’s what happened with me.  I couldn’t be happier with where we live and the opportunities it has created for us now and in the future.”

Communities Prepared for the Future
“We’re seeing more and more residents like the Stromskys and Ms. Caldwell who come in and are really engaged in health and wellness activities,”said Jeff.  “When you see people like them, you’re motivated by what they do. They inspire me personally, because it shows that, at any age, these health and wellness activities can really make a difference.”

Howard and Barbara Lasser were among their community's first residents and were happy to get the independent living apartment they wanted with scenic views of the woodlands.

Hailing from New York, the Lassers relocated to the Washington, D.C. area where they lived for over 50 years and raised three children. 

The Lassers actually discovered their current home while helping someone else.  Serving as a court officer in Alexandria, Howard was conducting research to help his ward when he learned about the retirement community which was under development at the time.  “I liked this place right off the bat,” he said. “Barbara suggested that we make the choice now so that our children wouldn’t have to make it later.”

The couple was excited to be one of the first residents in a brand new community. Unfortunately, the apartment they desired that was located on the fourth floor with an expansive view of the woodlands was already taken.  Fortunately, the residents who reserved it decided to select an apartment on the other side of the building overlooking the lake.

Extremely happy with their setting, Howard said, “It’s an apartment that we look out of and we are really in the woodlands, as it were. We really wanted this one and we were very fortunate that we got it.”

The Lassers feel fortunate to have had the time to prepare for the move as the community was being built. “The Woodlands had researched and found very good people to help us downsize,” said Howard, who has a collection of books stemming from when he was eight.  Although it included over 3,000 books, their apartment is spacious enough to keep nearly 1,000 of his most treasured volumes.  With the help of a senior move manager, the couple was able to downsize and prepare for move-in day with confidence.

As they have made several new friends they refer to as family, the couple is especially appreciative of the hands-on approach and family setting that the Banium family takes in operating the community.  Their loved ones are very appreciative too. “Our children were delighted,” said Barbara. “They thought it was wonderful that we were taken care of.”