Retirement Living » Atrium Village http://www.retirement-living.com Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Homecare in VA, MD, DC, NJ, PA, DE Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:23:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 An Award-Winning Life http://www.retirement-living.com/an-award-winning-life/ http://www.retirement-living.com/an-award-winning-life/#comments Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:33:29 +0000 Kemmie Turpin http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=18518 By Christy Brudin

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.

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 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.”

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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.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/an-award-winning-life/feed/ 0 ProAging at Symphony Manor Features Maryland Aging in Place Villages http://www.retirement-living.com/proaging-at-symphony-manor-features-maryland-aging-in-place-villages/ http://www.retirement-living.com/proaging-at-symphony-manor-features-maryland-aging-in-place-villages/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:25:34 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1265 Over 75 influential senior-serving professionals gathered at a brand new Symphony Manor Premier Assisted Living and Memory Care in Roland Park.  In addition to networking, refreshments and tours of the community there was a presentation on the Village Movement in Maryland.  See recent AARP article on Villages.

Panel members included:

 Attendees included the following professionals, alpha by Organization Name:

Dont miss the next ProAging meeting!

ProAging at the World of Possibilities DisABILITIES Expo

Date: Friday May 06, 2011

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093

Please RSVP rsvp@proaging.com

 

Description: Be the first in the door for the region’s major forum for disability-related resources.  The ProAging event will bring together professionals in the aging and disabilities community to network and hear Louis Tenenbaum,one of the foremost authorities on aging in place and universal design concepts. Bring business cards and brochures and be ready to network and learn about disability services for all ages.

 

About Louis Tenenbaum

A former carpenter and contractor, Louis Tenenbaum is now a leading thinker, speaker and consultant on Aging in Place—the idea that our homes are the most desirable and economical place for housing and care. Based in Washington, DC’s Maryland suburbs, Louis helps businesses, nonprofits and individuals formulate and refine design, strategies, marketing and programming for Aging in Place homes, products and age friendly communities.

In 2010 Louis wrote Aging in Place 2.0: Rethinking Solutions to the Home Care Challenge, published by the MetLife Mature Marketing Institute.

 

Please RSVP rsvp@proaging.com

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/proaging-at-symphony-manor-features-maryland-aging-in-place-villages/feed/ 0 An On-the-Go Lifestyle in a Retirement Community http://www.retirement-living.com/an-on-the-go-lifestyle/ http://www.retirement-living.com/an-on-the-go-lifestyle/#comments Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:40:02 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1233 As Atrium Village resident Ruth Klein walks through the crowded lobby of her home during a musical program, friends greet her enthusiastically. It is grandmother loves assisted living in owings mills, marylandonly a matter of minutes before she is dancing center stage with the performers, Gary Richman and “The Night at The Copa” Singers.

This comes as no surprise to her peers and the staff of the senior retirement community, located in Owings Mills, who know that Ruth’s motto is to stay busy and involved. Crediting this attitude for keeping her healthy and active at the age of 95, Ruth said, “I just wish I had more hours in the day.”

Born and raised in New York, Ruth and her husband raised a family in their beloved home in Randallstown that they purchased in 1963. Her husband has since passed away, but she has the support of her five children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

While several of her family members live nearby, Ruth enjoys visiting those outside of the area since travelling has always been an important part of her life. In fact, she has several unique destinations under her belt, including a 21-day African safari and a recent trip to Antarctica. She books most of her trips through Grand Circle Travel, an agency founded by Ethel Andrus in 1958, who also founded AARP.

Although her husband loved going on cruises, Ruth has always had a passion for more exotic locations. “Every year we went on a cruise, which I wasn’t too fond of because you would only get one day in a country,” she said. “As long as I went on one cruise a year, he would let me travel by myself on trips I was interested in.”

With a love for adventure, the outgoing and independent Ruth has had no qualms about venturing to various places by herself. “I make friends, so I don’t have any problem travelling alone,” she said. Although she has trips to Norway and Iceland planned, she also looks forward to an upcoming excursion to West Virginia with friends, along with a trip to Gettysburg, Pa. to explore its history with her granddaughter and great-grandchildren.

Aside from traveling, Ruth spent her days working in the library for over 25 years as the head of the clerical department. Retirement, however, was not very easy for Ruth. “I stayed home for one week and I couldn’t take it,” she said.

As a result, she got involved in a variety of volunteer opportunities, one of which involved working at the Liberty Senior Center. It was there she met Arnold Eppel, who was the director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging at the time and is now the executive director of Atrium Village. “I have known Ruth for 15 years. She is an exuberant lady who has fully embraced life and I am thrilled to have her here,” he said.

Although Ruth’s family had looked at several communities in the area, it was her relationship with Arnold that had fully assured them Atrium Village was the best choice, and there has been no question it was the right choice. Since the move, Ruth has made several friends and established strong connections with the rest of the staff as she lends a helping hand whenever she can. “The staff really appreciates the help,” she said. In fact, some even refer to her as “GG.” Ruth said, “It stands for great-grandma, which is what my kids call me.”

One example of the assistance she offers is folding the napkins after she enjoys her breakfast every morning in the Atrium Village dining room. “The food is very good,” she said. Not only good, the daily meals offered at the community are prepared with the goal of further promoting healthy lifestyles for residents.

As part of Atrium Village’s focus on hospitality, its Dining for Wellnessâ„¢ program offers Ruth and her peers creative dining choices that support specific areas of healthy living for seniors. Additionally, a fresh baked bread program and a no-sugar-added dessert program also provide unique options for individuals.

Active Aging Week is another initiative of the community, in conjunction with the International Council on Active Aging, that promotes active lifestyles for seniors. It includes activity for the mind, body and spirit, incorporating the six dimensions of wellness: physical activity, intellectual stimulation, emotional support, spirituality, social opportunity and vocational activity.

The community’s mission is also evident in its award-winning Wellness Everydayâ„¢ programs, classes and experiences that encourage residents to live life with meaning and vitality. This is a hallmark of the Senior Lifestyle Corporation approach, and every member of Atrium Village’s staff is committed to making residents feel like family.

The overall focus and support system at Atrium Village helps keep residents like Ruth thriving as she clearly takes advantage of these programs and amenities that enhance her busy lifestyle. While the community provides numerous activities and an exercise facility, its convenient location allows residents to enjoy opportunities offsite as well.

“I am a big exercise freak,” said Ruth. “I do water aerobics and I take a walk every day; I get up early before it gets hot outside.” She can also be found frequently using the exercise bikes in the community’s fitness center in addition to taking classes at the nearby Liberty Senior Center and utilizing the swimming pool next door at the Randallstown Community Center.

While Ruth maintains her busy schedule of social engagements and exercising, she has peace of mind with the knowledge that extensive health services are available onsite should anything happen to her. Atrium Village has an ongoing relationship with Genesis Rehabilitation Services, who provides physical, occupational and speech therapy for residents. A vibrant and outgoing rehab team assists residents in regaining the highest level of physical, social and emotional level of function by providing them with an individualized treatment plan. The majority of such services are covered 80 percent by Medicare part B and 20 percent by co-insurance while residents also have the assurance knowing they are welcome to use the exercise equipment in the Wellness Center anytime, regardless of therapy status.

For those considering the transition to senior housing, Ruth of course offers the advice of getting involved as much as possible based on her own experience at Atrium Village. Coming from someone who can enjoy the flexibility of traveling knowing she is returning to a home where she will be happily greeted by friends and continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a sense of security, this is certainly sound advice to follow.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/an-on-the-go-lifestyle/feed/ 0 True Pioneers Find Their Perfect Retirement Community http://www.retirement-living.com/true-pioneers/ http://www.retirement-living.com/true-pioneers/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:11:48 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1165 Elder couple in retirement home community“Looking back on my experience, I hit a homerun,” says Jerry Altman. He is, of course, referring to his move to Atrium Village, a senior retirement community located in Owings Mills. Not only does this community offer the amenities and care Jerry had been looking for, but its vibrant atmosphere enabled him to find his ‘soul mate,’ Lillian Zale.

While they consider themselves best friends, the two also refer to one another as ‘pioneers’ in reference to the day that cemented their friendship. Jerry and Lillian are avid walkers and on that particular afternoon, they decided to disregard the sign that warns individuals about crossing the highway.

“We decided we felt like pioneers and were going to brave the traffic,” says Jerry. And they did just that…a number of times.

Although they walk the same road together today, the one that led each of them to Atrium Village is quite unique.

Jerry, a Cincinnati native, had just graduated from high school when the country was on the eve of World War II. After enlisting in the Army Air Force, Jerry had met his wife and spent a good portion of his time overseas in England. With the birth of their first child following the war, Jerry returned to school and received his degrees to become a lawyer.

They eventually settled in Baltimore where they enjoyed the perks of a convenient location. When his wife passed in 1981, Jerry remained busy with his work as a military reservist.

“The Air Force was happy with my work and I retired as a colonel in the Department of HHS ATW as a supervisory attorney, but my greatest accomplishment was receiving the Distinguished Service Award,” he says.

But there was another great accomplishment in store for Jerry when his son approached him about making the transition to a retirement community that could provide the services he needed. At the time, Jerry had been experiencing cardiac problems and was living with his daughter, who had her own health concerns, and her family.

Having lived in military communities for most of his life, he was apprehensive about the move, but had heard nothing but great comments about Atrium Village. What he discovered was that Atrium Village complemented his lifestyle perfectly.

“I wanted enough space to relieve myself of housekeeping duties and I don’t like cooking because I think eating is a social experience, and this community fit perfectly into that,” says Jerry.

Surrounded by similarly active individuals and different opportunities, he has immersed himself in the social environment by helping with the Veterans’ Group and attending public affairs meetings at Atrium Village. He also plans to volunteer in a read-aloud group for residents with vision problems. Fortunately, it was this on-the-go lifestyle that led Jerry to Lillian.

“To find a soul mate is a bonus,” says Jerry, “Because we shared the same feelings and thoughts, it developed into a great friendship.”

Lillian was born in Brooklyn, NY, and since her parents were from Europe, she spoke Yiddish and Polish until she went to school.

“I fell in love with school. I wanted to be a psychiatrist; I was going to teach people how to live the most wonderful life,” she says.

Following her studies, however, Lillian became a teacher, a profession she enjoyed that enabled her to be with her two children more. Over the years, she was able to utilize her psychology background in other part-time jobs, including working with children and adults with special needs in hospitals.

When her husband passed away, Lillian was not quite sure what to do having lived in their Long Island home for 47 years. Although she continued to work, her sons had moved to Baltimore and discussed the next step.

“I was not unhappy, but I was not in the world I had lived in – that was disappearing,” she says. “They said, ‘We found a place that we think you can afford that could work out for you.’”

It was two years ago that Lillian made the move to her apartment in Atrium Village. To this day, she enjoys the freedom of no home-maintenance and constantly being surrounded by others. In fact, she is known by Jerry and her peers as one who can remember the lyrics to any song written since the ’20s and for her knowledge of literary classics.

“I’ve found a home here, I’ve met many welcoming people and I’m very happy,” she says.

And this attitude is exactly what the staff at Atrium Village strives for on a daily basis, especially its newly appointed executive director, Arnold Eppel, who came to the community after having served a storied career as the executive director of the Baltimore County Area Agency on Aging.

This government agency is the largest area agency in the State of Maryland, and under Arnold’s leadership, it created and managed countless programs that have garnered local and national attention. The most well-known program is the annual Baltimore County Senior and Baby Boomer Expo. The Expo attracts thousands of Baltimore County residents and put Arnold front and center to meet and better understand the region’s issues, offerings and challenges.

After completing his graduate studies in the innovative Erickson School of Aging Studies at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Arnold was inspired to transfer his experience, training and education to a different venue, which led him to Atrium Village.

The position has allowed him to focus his talents and energies on the needs of a tight-knit community as opposed to the massive geographic reach of Baltimore County. Arnold himself is a resident of Owings Mills and lives just a few minutes from the community which only enhances his connection to the surrounding neighborhoods and his ability to serve as a leader.

Arnold’s enthusiasm and drive to make Atrium Village “the best retirement community in the state” are unwavering. He is a fixture in all parts of the community soliciting feedback from the residents, talking to staff and focusing on ways to improve and innovate. His enthusiasm and expertise lends itself to Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Legacy Court, or Memory care.

The constant aspirations of the staff and the offerings of the community further prove to residents like Lillian and Jerry, and their families, that they made the right decision.

“At the time, people told me I should have moved in with my children,” says Lillian, “I thought, they have their own families and homes, and I’m part of that family, but I want my own place.”

And with her budding friendship and a retirement community that strives to meet individualized needs, Lillian certainly found the right place. At Atrium Village, whether it’s simply stretching the boundaries of a walk or exceeding expectations in retirement living, there is no question that there are several “pioneers” among its residents and staff.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/true-pioneers/feed/ 0 A Twist of Fate for a Senior leads to a Retirement Community http://www.retirement-living.com/a-twist-of-fate/ http://www.retirement-living.com/a-twist-of-fate/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:07:49 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1149 Although they made their moves at different times and for different reasons, some say fate brought Gerald (Gerry) Altman and Lillian Zale together at Atrium Village, a senior retirement community in Owings Mills. While they had quite a journey before their first meeting during a stroll around their home, the two have been inseparable ever since.

Gerry served in active duty during WWII and was later recalled to be commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. When he finished school, he became part of the prestigious Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and eventually switched between working in private practice and the government.

A father of three and grandfather to six, Gerry had been hospitalized several times due to cardiac problems when his physician suggested moving to a community that could provide the necessary care and relieve Gerry of the stress of home maintenance. He looked at various communities with entrance fees but realized he wanted to manage his own finances.

There was no question for everyone involved that this community was the best fit, especially since Gerry knew several people living there. That number grew when Lillian Zale, a former New York schoolteacher and Baltimore resident of six years, moved to the community. The mother of two’s husband had passed away when Lillian decided to make the transition.

When asked what attracted them to one another, Gerry jokingly responds, “Because we have extreme myopia, borderline anemia and both bank at Eastern Savings Bank!” Of course Lillian’s extensive knowledge of lyrics to ‘oldies’ is an endearing quality to Gerry.

Aside from their walks, the duo enjoys the several amenities of their home including its convenient location to all that Pikesville and Owings Mills has to offer. They spend a great deal of time at the Pikesville library and senior center.

Gerry has started a Public Affairs group at the community along with Veterans’ luncheons. Although he has accomplished so much already, Gerry believes he has a greater purpose and holds his friendships dear to his heart as is evident in his relationship with Lillian.

Individuals can often be hesitant to move to a community, but these two prove how you never know the great opportunities and relationships that lay ahead if you do not take that leap. Atrium Village was their destiny!

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/a-twist-of-fate/feed/ 0 Senior Living: Weathering the Storm and Finding a Home http://www.retirement-living.com/weathering-the-storm-and-finding-a-home/ http://www.retirement-living.com/weathering-the-storm-and-finding-a-home/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1059 Grandparents Move to a new Retirement CommunityAlthough it has been two years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, current residents of Atrium Village in Owings Mills, Sam and Gertrude Levitan, can still recall the details of their evacuation.

“Even today, is it still like a bad dream,” said Gertrude.

Since she uses a wheelchair, their original plan was to stay in a hotel, but as news kept developing, the couple knew their only choice was to pack what they needed and leave.

With the help of their two sons, they were able to arrange hotel rooms and contact friends to stay with in Tennessee, Dallas and Atlanta as they relied on the news for updates. They eventually learned major roof damage was adding to the five inches of flooding that had accumulated in their home

Over a month later, the couple knew the hurricane and the evacuation process had taken its toll on them. With suggestions from the Jewish Federation and their family, they found their current home at Atrium Village, an active and independent retirement community in Owings Mills, that also offers Assisted Living and Memory Court

Although they miss their longtime friends and neighbors in New Orleans, the couple of 58 years, enjoys the convenient location of Atrium Village. Atrium Village, a Senior Lifestyle community, provides a convenient location that allows them to be near their family as well as various entertainment, shopping, and banking services.

It was not hard for Gertrude and Sam to reach out to others within the friendly community, as their careers always involved interacting with others. Sam worked as vice president of a jewelry business while Gertrude’s parents owned a dress shop where she worked for 30 years.

Sam has also been involved in B’nai B’rith (Men of the Covenant), the oldest operating Jewish service organization in the world. He has worked for the American Institute of Banking and enjoys an occasional game of poker. The couple is very active when it comes to volunteer work. While participating in children’s programs, they have made cookbooks and read on the radio for the blind.

After weathering the storm and dedicating their time to others, the Levitans can now enjoy a rewarding lifestyle at their new home, Atrium Village. While they miss certain aspects of their old home, they now have a fresh start with several opportunities, and most importantly a home near their sons and two grandchildren.

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