When she is not visiting with friends for coffee at Frey Village or enjoying a day outing, Mary Klemmer is busy volunteering and addressing birthday cards to her peers at the retiremnet community.

A vibrant, active senior, Mary Klemmer was adamant that she would never leave her home. But when a fall left her unconscious for three days before she was found and hospitalized, she knew she had to revisit her decision.

Her family set out on a search for a Continuing Care Retirement Community that could provide the necessary health-care services Mary needed right away, but also complement the busy lifestyle she enjoyed. Not sure where to turn, they were referred to Frey Village, a Diakon Lutheran Senior Living Community in Middletown, Pa.

“My daughter and granddaughter came here right away, looked at it and loved it!” says Mary, who recovered from her fall with the help of Frey Village’s nursing and rehabilitative care services before moving into her one-bedroom apartment. “The nurses and therapists keep saying, ‘We can’t believe it’s you!’ when they see me.”

Completely independent, the 90-year-old woman fills her days with lots of activities. Whether she is volunteering in the village’s Country Store, assisting the chaplain, or taking her daily walk around campus, she is never at a loss for something to do.

“I really think that my whole family cannot believe the adjustment I’ve made here and that I love it,” she says. “I try to be involved as much as possible. There is always something”””such as the village’s annual Strawberry Festival, Mount Gretna art outings, unique community involvements including one with students from the Diakon Wilderness Center, and a range of interesting and scenic trips”””in which you can become involved.”

Mary also looks forward to Frey Village’s weekly dinner outings to a Middletown-area church as a time to socialize and have fun with her dinner companions.

“I go every single week because I am so amazed at the town of Middletown, how friendly all the people are in these churches and how many helpful volunteers there are,” she says. “Even if I didn’t eat, I’d think it was wonderful because of the association with the people in town.”

The carefree lifestyle found at Frey Village is a perfect respite for Mary, who spent most of her adult life working in retail management, an industry known for long hours and high stress levels. For 15 years as the owner of Mary’s Bridal House in Lancaster, she handled the formal-dress needs for a variety of special occasions.

“Some weekends I had as many as 25 weddings. I did prom shows. I also did the Miss Lancaster County pageants,” she says. “I think back and don’t know how I ever did it.”

After closing the shop, Mary put her management experience to work for a number of retailers before retiring. To this day, she still volunteers her time to address and send birthday cards to all employees at Hallmark’s 10 stores in the Lancaster area.

“I also send everyone in the Frey Tower Apartments a birthday card,” she says. “That is my new mission.”

When not addressing birthday cards, volunteering, participating in a Frey Village outing, sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, or visiting residents in the community’s personal care center, Mary tends to the plants and flowers on her patio””or “other living room,” as she likes to call the outside space.

“I get up every morning and love to be out there with my coffee, enjoying the view,” she says. “I sometimes just stand out there and can’t believe that I’m here.”

Guide to Retirement Living met with Phyllis and Eugene Cowen and Normand and Joan Marie Poulin over lunch at the Classic Residence by Hyatt, a rental senior living community in Chevy Chase, Md. It is a fitting meeting spot as the very place that these friends met.

Interesting Backgrounds
Eugene and Phyllis Cowen met at the ages of 16 and 15. They married after the war and moved to Syracuse where he started a career in journalism and she became an English professor. The couple had two children and moved to Washington, D.C. as Eugene transitioned to a career in politics and started working in the White House during the Nixon administration.

“I always make sure to share that I wasn’t there during Watergate,” he said with a smile. Eventually, Eugene moved on to a 21-year career with ABC News as the Vice President of the Washington Bureau.

Normand and Joan Marie Poulin met in Europe while he was in graduate school in Florence, Italy and she was fulfilling her dream of traveling to Europe, despite her friend backing out at the last minute.

“For me it was love at first sight!” said Normand. The married couple’s first home was in Saigon, but they lived all over the globe following his Foreign Service career and raising five children. Wanting their children to grow up in America, Joan Marie and Normand eventually settled in the same Potomac neighborhood that Phyllis and Eugene Cowen had.

Changing Lifestyles
Although the Cowens enjoyed their townhome in the city, Eugene began having difficulty with navigating the stairs, which prompted them to move to a one-level apartment. The steps leading to their building, however, still posed a problem “We had to get out of there before we had an accident,” said Eugene.

Phyllis learned of Classic Residence by Hyatt through her Bridge partner. “The location was perfect for us – close to the city, the culture and downtown Bethesda,” she said.

With a style comparable to a traditional Georgetown mansion, Classic Residence has picturesque views and features a beautifully sunlit winter garden lounge. While residents live independently, the community offers onsite assisted living as needed. When Phyllis and Eugene made their visit, they found a vibrant environment with unique individuals.

Joan Marie and Normand Poulin had also been experiencing difficulties themselves in maintaining their six-bedroom home of nearly 40 years, especially since Normand has Parkinson’s disease. “We started looking at communities in Texas where one of our daughters lived, but we reflected on how much we enjoyed living in the DC area,” said Joan Marie.

When the Poulins made a deposit at a local community that required an ownership investment, they soon realized it was not the right option for them. Then as they were driving down Connecticut Avenue with their daughter one day, they saw the sign for Classic Residence and decided to stop by and take a look.

“We loved the atmosphere and the ambiance,” said Normand. “When we found out it was a rental and didn’t require purchase or a large entry fee, we were very excited.”
He and Joan Marie then scheduled an appointment for the next day and ended up staying for a meal which is where they met Phyllis and Eugene. The decision was easy to make after that.

Both couples made a conscious decision to move to a community that did not have an upfront entrance fee, ownership or investment. “We had no way to predict the changes in the economy,” said Eugene. “In light of the changes, it was certainly a good financial decision to choose a rental community.”

Making the Move
One of the things that the couples discussed over their lunch was how to downsize from a larger home to a two-bedroom apartment. Phyllis and Eugene raved about the senior move management firm that visited their home and helped them figure out what items to keep.

This sounded ideal to Joan Marie and Normand, who were already imagining the challenge of downsizing from their home that held, among other things, a collection of over 2,800 books. Also ideal was the fact that Classic Residence helps cover eight hours of the move management firm’s services for its residents, including a complimentary consultation. With the help of the move managers, Joan Marie and Normand, who were on vacation with their family in Mexico at the time of the move, returned to their brand new home with everything already in place.

Getting help with the move wasn’t the only path that Phyllis and Eugene Cowen blazed for the Poulins. They liked the way the Cowens arranged their apartment so much that Joan Marie and Normand replicated the layout, most notably the beautiful cabinets that can be seen in the dens of both apartments. However, each couple has their own elegant decorating style and rave about their spacious apartments.

Settling into an Enjoyable Lifestyle
At Classic Residence, the residents play a vital role in all aspects of life and activity taking advantage of the many committees, clubs and other opportunities. In fact, Phyllis has been a vital part of the welcoming committee, a program that helps new residents make the transition.

Eugene is also a fixture in many activities, such as running the Classic Forum which brings notable speakers to the community. “One of the best things is that you have the option not to participate and enjoy your own pursuits and hobbies,” he said. This flexibility is perfect for Eugene, who has “phased his time” to work on his second book since moving to the community, a thriller titled “Taking Over the Government of the United States.”

Joan Marie and Normand participate in exercise classes and are excited to start the aquatic programs in the community’s indoor pool. Normand, who is currently fluent in four languages, said that through active conversations groups the residents have formed, he is able to continue practicing these languages. While boasting about the cultural programs, the couple emphasized how the staff really listens to residents and builds the programming to suit their needs.

In addition to the abundant offerings in the community, Classic Residence’s location makes it easy for the residents to access cultural offerings off site. A favorite destination for Phyllis and Eugene Cowen is the Roundhouse Theatre.

Most importantly, the community has provided both couples peace of mind and freedom from home maintenance. Along with a predictable monthly fee and onsite assisted living, Classic Residence offers housekeeping services and meals prepared by a classically trained chef.

“Our children can sleep well at night knowing we are here and how happy we are,” said Joan Marie. These two couples, on the other hand, never get to bed before midnight with all of their pursuits, and they would not have it any other way.

“I went straight to Washington, D.C. to help save the world,” she said. It was during this time in the District that she also met her first husband, Carl McGowan. Although they settled in Chicago where Carl taught at Northwestern University Law School, they soon moved to southern Illinois to help his friend, Governor Adlai Stevenson, run for President. After Stevenson’s unsuccessful bids for election, however, the couple returned to Chicago where Carl worked in a law firm until he was appointed by President Kennedy in 1963 to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. As a result, they moved back to the nation’s capitol where Carl eventually passed in 1987.

Jody recounts fondly the friendship between Carl and his law partner, Walter Gardner, “Carl and Walter had a tennis court reserved to play every Wednesday morning,” she said. “When Carl couldn’t play, I would play with Walter, and when Walter couldn’t play, I would play with Carl.” Jody and Walter maintained their friendship over the years and eventually married.

Concerned about their future and whether their health or independent lifestyles would change, Jody and Walter began to consider a transition to a community that could meet their potential needs. “We had our eye on Grand Oaks as it was under construction,” said Jody.

An assisted living community, Grand Oaks is conveniently located on the campus of Sibley Hospital, near the couple’s Spring Valley home at the time. Jody was also very familiar with the community as she had been a volunteer at Sibley for nearly 30 years. Having made their decision while the community was still under construction, she said they were able to choose the “best apartment.”

“It was an easy transition; we were very close to our old neighborhood and our apartment was beautiful,” said Jody.

There was no specific health problem or crisis that motivated the couple to be among the first residents to move into Grand Oaks; it was simply a desire to create an environment and lifestyle that would be comfortable for the future no matter what happened to them. It turned out to be a very wise decision for Jody, who was surrounded by a caring community following Walter’s passing.

Jody continues to find fulfillment at Grand Oaks. A gardener at heart, she was able to begin managing a garden plot on the campus shortly after making the move. Thanks to the numerous opportunities to remain active and socially engaged in the community, Jody continues to thrive, surrounded by cultivated individuals.

“This is a friendly place, everyone is wonderful here,” she said.

Whether it is enjoying a meal in the lovely dining room or participating in the wide variety of daily activities, Jody and her fellow residents have the option of engaging in different pursuits or relaxing as they please. Most importantly, Jody enjoys the peace of mind and security that Walter had intended for her. She has both good company and excellent care provided by the staff at Grand Oaks. Given her experience thus far, Jody would say that Walter planned well for them both.

When Mr. Knott, who is known by the staff at Morningside House in Ellicott City as “Mr. Tom,” starts talking about life with his beloved wife, Mary Jean, and their adventures, people soon realize that they are in the presence of a couple whose life could easily be the subject of a Hollywood movie!

Mary Jean operated undercover and was a known and respected administrator of polygraph, lie detection and interrogation. Tom was a renowned police dog trainer and administrator. His expertise was even called on from programs around the world.

Training dogs was part of Tom’s job, but it also became the couple’s passion in their leisure time. Over the years, they trained and raised many dogs and won countless awards at dog shows throughout the country.

The couple met while roller skating in New York in their early 20s. They both taught roller skating lessons and participated in competitions. This was the beginning of a long successful marriage and partnership as the couple enthusiastically shared a variety of interests, hobbies and vocations. The Knotts moved to Baltimore early in their marriage and eventually settled in a beautiful home on eight acres near Morningside House.

Down the road, Mary Jean’s health took a turn and, to complicate matters, Tom was facing some health challenges as well. As opposed to leaving their beloved home, the couple hired home care assistance, but their experience was not a good one. They fell prey to poor care, unreliable help and worst of all, fraud and crime.

“It was frustrating and frightening, and I was really concerned about Mary Jean,” said Tom.

Fortunately, the couple’s physician took a keen interest in their well-being. With the assistance of his wife, he began to investigate better available options and helped the Knotts select Morningside House, an assisted living and dementia care provider.

“This type of situation is what makes my job so rewarding. Mr. Tom and Miss Mary Jean were in a very unsafe environment and to have assisted their physician’s wife in the move to Morningside was as fulfilling as it gets,” says Alan LeMay, Director of Marketing. “Knowing they are in a secure environment where people care about them makes every day better. This is the perfect example of how essential it is for seniors to be aware of all the options available to them in the community and how it affects their quality of life.”

Since their move, the couple has been free of any home maintenance with the community’s range of amenities including housekeeping, linen and laundry services. Morningside House also offers scheduled transportation, three daily restaurant-style meals and a 24-hour emergency call system that provides peace of mind for the Knotts and their fellow residents.

Individuals also have several opportunities for socializing with elegant common areas, weekly trips and private dining areas for family gatherings.

For the Knotts in particular, it was also an ideal location since the community’s close proximity to their large estate still enables Tom to return frequently to get his photos, books and memorabilia. Having so many apartment style choices made it easy for the Knotts to choose a spacious one-bedroom apartment overlooking the courtyard that would accommodate all of their favorite memorabilia and comforts of their home.

With the goal of creating a win-win situation for all residents, Morningside’s fundamental philosophy of keeping couples together despite their different care level needs made the transition and experience for the Knotts a very good one.

Although this convenience along with the location and services of Morningside House have been a perk for Tom, it is the care of the community that has had a true impact for him and his wife.

“The difference is dramatic; Mary Jean is eating and talking more,” said Tom.

For Tom, the advantage is obvious, as he gets to spend all of his time enjoying Mary Jean, whom he refers to as “the other half of the team,” instead of worrying if she is receiving the appropriate care or taking on the caregiving role himself.

Like the Knotts, residents of the community have a great sense of security knowing a range of levels of care are available. This also includes independent living, respite care, coordinated hospice care and on-site rehabilitation.

Now, after finding a home that could provide the optimum care and a range of amenities, it is impossible to accuse this couple of not making the best decision for a relaxing and secure future.

Long before this move, however, the Resslers’ story begins when they met at a dance, which, according to Mrs. Ressler, has often led to the debate of who saw who first. Though no matter whom it was, the couple is happy to say they have celebrated 48 years of marriage. During this time, Mr. Ressler had worked for Amoco American Oil Company while Mrs. Ressler was a homemaker and bookkeeper who worked part time at the Catonsville Community College bookstore for several years.

It was Aug. 28, 2008 that the Resslers received the call for which they had been waiting. An apartment matching their request had become available. Though the couple sold their home in a matter of three weeks, they knew the actual moving process would not be so easy.

Mrs. Ressler said she and her husband knew they did not want to tackle this move on their own and at the time were given a list of vendors by the Charlestown sales staff. Instead of getting overwhelmed and bogged down with the details, they contacted Charna Kinneberg, owner of the company Senior Transitions, Inc. which provides move coordination services.

As a result, they had downsized, disposed of unnecessary items, had everything packed up, and were moved into their new place by October 10, less than two months after initially learning the apartment was available.

“We didn’t have to go through a book to try to find people to take away trash, donate things to, or even move our things since Charna and her staff took care of everything,” says Mrs. Ressler. “Everyone was wonderful including the other vendors they recommended. They showed up on time and if they were going to be late at all, they called. There was no waiting around wondering.”

Mr. Ressler adds that on the actual moving day, the vendors were taking care of unpacking all of the items and followed the couple’s wishes placing everything accordingly. “We walked into the bedroom and there they were making our bed – it was just like a hotel where everything we needed was in place and ready for us!” he says.

In other moves they made over the years, according to Mrs. Ressler, they had still had to contend with the packing supplies after everything was done. That was certainly not the case this time, however, thanks to their moving coordinator. The trash was removed with boxes taken away, thus the Resslers were free to quickly start their lives at Charlestown.

The Resslers’ story is certainly not uncommon; however, theirs teaches others of the available resources that can be utilized when taking on this difficult task. Charna says the move coordinators take one of the major barriers of moving away. “We often hear ‘I don’t want to be a burden to my children,’ or ‘I don’t have time to help my parents,’” she says.

With a qualified, experienced move coordinator, these and other issues associated with a move are handled. According to Charna, the ultimate goal is to remove that stress from the experience, though the source differs from client to client. One may just need someone to help them figure out what will fit into the new unit while another client may want help disposing of things they do not need. Someone else will just want help packing or unpacking as others want to go on vacation and come back after the move is done.

No matter the scenario, this move manager is there to help. “We’ve done it all,” she says.

Senior Transitions, Inc., however, is not limited to coordinating local moves. Charna is President Elect and one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), an organization of move managers located throughout the U.S. and Canada. The industry has grown significantly in the past six years from the initial 16 member companies in 2002 to now over 500 companies.

“When a client is moving to or from another location, we can easily find a member company to help on the other end,” says Charna. “Because of my longstanding involvement with the organization, I often personally know the other company.”

Also as a result of her commitment to the association, some of the communities she regularly works with even call her rather than just selecting from the NASMM web site.

Meanwhile, with what turned out to be a very stress-free move behind them, the Resslers have enjoyed life in their new home. As Resident Ambassadors at Charlestown, they talk to prospective residents, showing them the community and discussing the advantages of living at Charlestown. Mrs. Ressler is also in the process of starting a new dining companions program at the community with her friend.

Of course, they often discuss their experience with Senior Transitions, Inc. and would recommend seeking the assistance of a move manager to anyone in a similar situation.

“There is no way we could have made the move without them,” says Mrs. Ressler. “It’s the single biggest reason most people give for not making the move. With Charna and her staff’s help, that issue is gone.”

Bonnie, who started working at American University for the Public Relations Department, eventually retired from the law school’s Registrar Office. When William, a lawyer, started having problems with his leg, the couple knew it was time for a transition.

“When our son and daughter-in-law also encouraged us, we became more serious about it,” said Bonnie.

After researching and visiting various communities in the area, they decided Ashby Ponds was the right fit. Though they were fortunate to have sold their house before the market’s downturn, the Iandolos knew the actual process of moving and parting with their belongings would not be easy.

It was then they were introduced by their son to Joel and Susie Danick of Maryland-based Transitional Assistance & Design. After the move managers gave the Iandolos a presentation, they sat down with the couple to review the floor plan of their apartment.

“Based on the square footage, Joel helped us figure out what we could and could not take,” said Bonnie. “He worked very hard at making everything right.”

It was a relief for the Iandolos knowing every aspect of their move was being taken care of. When the actual day arrived, Joel had arranged for the movers to unpack the couple’s belongings and have it ready before they stepped foot in their apartment.

“I was absolutely floored when I came upstairs, I think my heart actually stopped,” said Bonnie. “They had done such a marvelous job putting everything together and it was all polished; it was like walking into a new home.”

Since their move in December, the couple of almost 55 years enjoy the various amenities and activities of their community as much as possible. According to Bonnie, it is not unusual to be asked by her neighbors, some of whom still have unpacked boxes, how she was able to make such a smooth transition. In response, she gladly recommends the moving managers that made it all possible.

“They are so organized and knowledgeable about problems with spacing and layouts and they ensure everything is finished when you move in,” she said. “It was a wonderful feeling and I could not have asked for anything more perfect for an end product.”

“You should use it, or you’ll lose it,” said the 91-year-old, who exercises six days a week and does crossword puzzles faithfully. “It’s tremendously important not to slow down.”

A retired lawyer and Harvard Law School alumnus, Hal and his wife Frannie have been residents of Foulkeways at Gwynedd, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Gwynedd, Pa., for 13 years.

And though his partnership in a Philadelphia law firm kept him busy for many years, it was only after retiring that Hal became his most active. At age 62, he geared up for the most challenging physical feat of his life: hiking the Appalachian Trail.

“Three weeks after retirement, I took off to walk the trail from Georgia to Maine,” Hal recalled. “I have vivid memories of every day of those four-and-a-half months, walking 2,140 miles along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains.” While Hal did occasionally see other campers, the majority of his trek was spent in solitary reflection “There were so many views, and camping under the stars was just wonderful,” he said. He reached the end of the trail on September 11, his 63rd birthday.

That trek was the longest Hal had completed during his 70 years of summer mountaineering, backpacking, trekking and foot-racing in Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Wyoming’s Wind River Range, New Zealand, Nepal’s Himalayas, the Alps, England’s Cotswolds and New Hampshire’s White Mountains, mostly with Frannie and others.

This journey signaled a new chapter in Hal’s life, which is presently filled with rigorous physical and mental activities.

“Physically speaking, I’ve actually been overactive in growing older,” said Hal. Along with his regular workout routine, he participates in the Montgomery County Senior Games and the annual New Hampshire State 5K foot race. “It’s been tremendously important at the age of 91 to keep up this way,” said Hal, who credits Foulkeways at Gwynedd with encouraging and accommodating his physical endeavors.

The community boasts more than 100 acres suited for physical activities, a number of fine wooded trails and a large fitness center.

“It’s a great blessing to be in a community that supports this wonderful fitness center we have on campus,” he said. “It’s also nice that I can walk to the nearby shopping center in little over half an hour, so that keeps me on the go as well.”

And while keeping his body in prime condition, Hal has given the same attention to his mind. He calls himself “a bit obsessed” with crossword puzzles, enjoying the challenge they add to his heavy reading load. After retiring, Hal also enrolled in art history and music theory classes at Philadelphia Community College to further educate himself.

“I’ve always enjoyed art appreciation and they give a marvelous series of lectures,” Hal said of his classes. “It has enriched my life and furthered my interest in viewing art in museums all over the world.”

This nonagenarian’s life has been extraordinarily full. Hal completed his graduate degree at Harvard University, served his country in World War II and found employment in Philadelphia. He married his wife, Frannie, also an avid hiker, nearly 60 years ago. They have five children, whom they visit frequently in Oregon, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and locally in Mt. Airy and the Lehigh Valley. Hal is also a recipient of the “25-Gallon Donor” award from the American Red Cross, honoring his years of faithful donations.

Hal said his decision to retire right at age 62 was the result of a growing “To Do” list. “There was just so much I wanted to do!” he recalled.

The Kelloggs lived in Philadelphia for a few years in a renovated historic area, but realized they wanted to plan ahead for their “advancing years,” as Hal calls them.

“It was the realization that, at some point, we might need assisted living or skilled nursing care,” he said. “A continuing care retirement community provides all levels of care, should you need them, but does not interfere with your independence while you are living an active lifestyle.”

Hal and Frannie also wanted to be pro-active in the event that they would need medical care later in life.

“We thought it was better to put a plan in place before we had a pressing need, to be ready if we had some serious problems,” said Hal. “If we needed assistance, we didn’t want to just think about it – we wanted to take action.”

The Kelloggs put their names on the waiting lists for two different retirement communities, and after much deliberation, chose Foulkeways at Gwynedd.

Hal and Frannie had heard favorable things about Foulkeways, and ultimately chose the community because of its open and friendly nature. Founded on Quaker ideals, the residents and staff value friendship, diversity and culture. The Kelloggs, who are Episcopalians, felt very much at home.

“It just felt like the right fit, but Foulkeways also aligned with our specific personal and cultural concerns,” Hal said. “It’s a community that has tremendous concern for the larger society, and other people, as well.”

The Kelloggs’ propensity for planning really paid off. “It was about seven years before we finally moved in,” said Hal with a chuckle. “And it was just right to sign up that far in advance, because by the time we moved in we were at the top of the ‘priority’ list and had our choice of residences.”

Hal and his wife live in a one bedroom apartment with a den, which has more than enough room for their belongings. “It’s just perfect for us,” he said, “It has always felt like home.”

Hal and Frannie avoided a lot of the stress of downsizing with advanced planning. When they received the floor plans for their apartment at Foulkeways, they decided what they would take with them and what would stay behind. One day when their children were all visiting their home in Philadelphia, the family decided together who would take the extra belongings.

“We marked all the excess items that we wouldn’t need and each child took turns putting their name tags on items they’d like to have,” he said. “It was the simplest thing in the world.”

With all the extra furnishings gone, the Kelloggs moved into their apartment with ease.

“Planning ahead makes life just so much easier,” said Hal. “My retirement wouldn’t be the same without it.”Many fellow residents at Foulkeways say they admire Hal for his full, active and productive retirement years. Good luck on your next adventure, Hal, and make sure to give us all the details.

Family members came from Delaware and Baltimore, neighbors stopped by to offer congratulations, and both new and old friends were happy to celebrate Amelia Frank’s recent 97th birthday. As she approaches the centenarian milestone, Mrs. Frank enjoys the company of good friends and family members. She readily admits that finding the right type of assistance has allowed her to remain in control of her life-and her finances.

Mrs. Frank graduated from Barnard College and taught high school for several years in upstate New York. In 1942, a colleague from Barnard asked her why she was not involved in the war effort. Shortly thereafter, she joined the U.S. Navy. After 20 years in the service, she retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

After retiring, Mrs. Frank focused her energies on volunteer work. One of her most rewarding positions was with The Seton Guild, the organization that provides fundraising support for the St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home, a home for needy expectant mothers and mothers with young children. Mrs. Frank recalls with some pride several mothers who went on to get college degrees after leaving St. Ann’s.

When her husband passed away, Mrs. Frank decided to leave her family home in favor of a smaller apartment. Later, she moved to Leisure World, where she enjoyed an active lifestyle. While dealing with some health problems, Mrs. Frank realized that she needed a more supportive environment and moved Bedford Court, a Sunrise Senior Living community in Silver Spring, MD.

While still living at Leisure World, Mrs. Frank began receiving confusing bills from home care agencies that were assisting her. Unsure how to contest these bills, she turned to the social worker at Leisure World, who recommended Help Unlimited, a local Daily Money Management firm.

In 2005, Help Unlimited began assisting Mrs. Frank. During her first visit with Mrs. Frank, Roberta Gosier, a Daily Money Manager and the Director of Help Unlimited, focused on resolving the issues with the home care agencies’ bills. Roberta also worked with Mrs. Frank in pulling together her 2004 income tax paperwork. It did not take long to solve these problems, but unfortunately, Roberta soon discovered that someone had misused Mrs. Frank’s credit card and her long distance service. Help Unlimited immediately addressed these issues and helped Mrs. Frank to avoid any damage to her credit record.

Mrs. Frank now only needs periodic assistance to keep her affairs in order and her tax paperwork up-to-date. “Getting all these papers organized is extremely important,” says Mrs. Frank.

Always meticulous and detail-oriented, Mrs. Frank admits that she enjoyed balancing her checkbook and taking care of her bills. However, she now realizes how important the help of a Daily Money Manager can be. This type of assistance has helped her to resolve incorrect bills and avoid unmanageable paperwork.

This has led many people to seek out an increasingly popular option-retirement communities in disguise. These are homes apartments, condos, or customized living arrangements that give people many of the benefits of an active adult or retirement community without age restrictions. Active adults are turning to these unofficial retirement communities as an excellent alternative to more traditional communities. Communities are made up of intergenerational residents, providing diversity and eliminating stigma. Yet, active seniors are still able to enjoy amenities such as pools, common areas, secure buildings, and a variety of other services now available in apartment, condo, and new home communities.

Urban environments and college towns are popular areas for retirement communities in disguise. These environments generally offer excellent public transportation systems, extensive cultural offerings, and the opportunity for socialization and interaction with people of all ages and from all walks of life.

While these communities provide an exciting new option for retirees, they do have their potential downsides. Unlike retirement communities, there are no healthcare offerings. Individuals will need to plan ahead for any healthcare needs that may arise in the future. Organized social clubs or special transportation programs will likely not be available either. Neighbors may be in a different phase of life. This could mean late night parties or small children. However, if individuals are seeking a community without the age restrictions and resulting stigmas associated with retirement communities, these options are worth investigating.

Although locating a retirement community in disguise will be more difficult than finding a traditional retirement community, the process can lead to an ideal living situation for seniors who are seeking something different. Researching local options and investigating availability is the first step in the process. After reviewing several of the available options, individuals should create a wish list of everything they want in a new home. The list should be specific and include all needs and desires. Some items to consider are an open floor plan with a first-floor master bedroom, communities that require no yard work or exterior maintenance, and locations that are in close proximity to shopping centers, churches, country clubs, or public transportation. The longer and more specific the wish list, the better the fit will be.

Armed with this list, active adults should seek the help of a Realtor, preferably one that specializes in working with seniors and their families. Interview several Realtors before making a final decision.

Realtors can use their expertise and their professional resources to identify neighborhoods, apartments, condos, and other options that provide nice alternatives to traditional retirement communities. Neighborhoods filled with no maintenance patio homes, convenient condos or apartments, and planned communities offering great floor plans are all readily available in this area.

Consumers will need to be patient and dedicated in order to find their dream retirement home. There may be nothing available immediately, but a little diligence will undoubtedly pay off. By working hard on their dream house lists, finding a good Realtor, and having a little patience, active adults just might uncover a retirement community in disguise.

Are we eavesdropping on a meeting with a custom home builder? No, we are hearing some of the many requirements for the perfect retirement living space expressed by residents of The Virginian, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Fairfax, VA. Judging by the apartment conversions that have already been completed-not to mention the ones that are in the planning stages-the management and staff at The Virginian were listening as well.

After looking for a retirement community in the area for several years, George and Marion Craig found themselves returning to The Virginian again and again. Marion recalls, “We kept coming back! We knew we would be happy here. The surroundings are just beautiful.” When Marion saw the relatively small kitchen, her excitement cooled.

It was not until the Craigs were told about the ongoing apartment conversions that their interest really piqued. By combining a one-bedroom apartment with a two-bedroom apartment, The Virginian was able to meet the needs of the Craigs, who wanted not only a larger kitchen but also lots of wall space.

The Craigs moved into their custom apartment in June and have been thrilled with the experience thus far. In addition to enjoying the pastoral surroundings and welcoming environment that initially drew them to The Virginian, they also appreciate the intimate atmosphere. “Some retirement communities are very large, like small cities. This is smaller, which gives us a nice sense of community,” George points out.

Completing their nearly ten year long search has left the Craigs with a great sense of accomplishment and pride. George explains, “We have a strong sense of independence. That is the fundamental reason we decided to move now, so we could negotiate all the details.”

Independence comes naturally to the Craigs. They spent many years abroad and have traveled extensively. After six years of active duty with the Marines, George earned a degree in Physics and became a Systems Engineer. Most of his career was spent integrating large scale government and military systems. His work took the family around the country and the world.

The couple met in Washington, D.C. during WWII. Like many of her peers, Marion moved to the area to work for the army intelligence office during this critical time. One of her roommates, George’s distance relative, frequently invited her to attend dinner parties at the Craigs’ house. “And then one night there was this Marine leaning against the piano,” she smiles as she remembers.

Shortly after their marriage, George went back to college and started working full-time. He worked all the way through college in order to support their growing family of five children. The opportunity to live in various places, from Georgia to Holland, was invigorating for the couple’s children. “They all have fond memories of Holland. One of our sons even goes back to visit frequently,” Marion says.

Even after their children left home, the Craigs continued to travel. They lived in Belgium for four years while George was working with NATO shortly before retiring. Of life abroad, Marion noted, “We’re Americans, and we are happiest here, but all of our time spent abroad was really nice.” She continues, “We are not the type of people that get dissatisfied. We are determined to be happy, so we were happy all over the world.”

It’s that type of constructive standpoint that has helped the Craigs quickly adjust to their new community. That, and the “smiling faces” and “warm welcomes” they have received every night at dinner since they moved in six weeks ago. Their spacious new apartment, now professionally decorated, certainly helps too.

While the Craigs vied for a more spacious kitchen, long-time Virginian resident, Mrs. Fay Park, continued her pursuit for the perfect apartment. Mrs. Park has made a record three moves within the building. As she approaches her 11th year as a resident at The Virginian, she relates, “I just kept moving until I found the perfect apartment.” For her, that meant a living space that included a laundry room and a much rarer request-a doll room.

Mrs. Park has hundreds of dolls in various shapes, sizes, and styles. Her collection includes porcelain dolls, hand-made dolls, and some rare collectables. “Boredom started this habit,” says Mrs. Park, who found herself shopping for collectibles while her husband, a steam engineer, was working night shifts. After starting and losing interest in several collections, she found that dolls were “the prettiest, and there are so many different types.” She smiles as she sits in a wicker chair-normally reserved for a life-sized doll-and points out, “My four daughters love it! They always know what to get me for holidays.”

Finding a home for her dolls was not Mrs. Park’s only motivation for her multiple moves. She recalls, “The last thing my husband said to me before he died was, ‘I want you to have everything you ever wanted.’” She continues, “I didn’t want a lot, but I did want a larger apartment with a laundry room, so I kept holding out for it.”

Now settled into her ideal apartment with her vast doll collection, Mrs. Park continues to enjoy life at The Virginian. “When I first moved here so many years ago, I thought the people were all so great. They still are. This really is like a family,” she says. Mrs. Park has been an integral part of the family. She has served as President and Vice President of the Association of Virginian Residents and on almost every resident committee in the past 11 years.

She continues to work at the “White Elephant,” a store on the grounds of the community that sells goods donated by residents. Of her work in the store, she says, “A lot of the things that people donate are so nice, that you find yourself wanting to buy them yourself.” She goes on to admit that there really is no room for new furniture because of all the dolls. She has no plans to move to again though-at least not yet.

As the apartment conversions at The Virginian continue, more and more individuals like Mrs. Park and George and Marion Craig will be able to create their ideal homes. There are plans currently underway for more two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The Virginian’s Executive Director, Chris Isherwood, explains the motivation behind these conversions: “People often ask who our biggest competition is and the answer is the family home. Many older residents in this area are living in spacious homes and have the means to stay there. By combining smaller apartments to provide larger living spaces, we can accommodate the needs of a younger, more active senior population.”

Prospective residents will not only be able to literally shape their living space but will also have the unique opportunity to “test drive” the community before moving in. The Virginian is currently focusing on their “Get Acquainted” Program, which affords potential residents the opportunity to live in a fully furnished guest apartment from a week to a few months at a time in order get a feel for life at the community. These short-term residents will enjoy all the services and amenities the community has to offer.

Undoubtedly, as these new, vibrant residents go from “test drivers” to full-time residents, the layouts at The Virginian will transform to meet their needs. George and Marion Craig and Fay Park can attest to the flexibility of both the staff and the floor plans in their community. They placed orders for custom-built retirement living spaces, and they got just what they wanted-including a little room to grow.