<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Retirement Living &#187; downsizing</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.retirement-living.com/tag/downsizing/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.retirement-living.com</link>
	<description>Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Homecare in VA, MD, DC, NJ, PA, DE</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:23:35 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Moving in the Right Direction-Senior Transitions, Inc.</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/moving-in-the-right-direction-senior-transitions-inc/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/moving-in-the-right-direction-senior-transitions-inc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:24:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kemmie Turpin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moving and Downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Move Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baltimore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ccrc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charna Kinneberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johns Hopkins University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Judy Skolnik]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MBA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Merrill Skolnik]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving coordinating company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Naval Research Laboratory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[packing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roland Park Place]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Transitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Towson University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unpacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=19614</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Merrill and Judy Skolnik were starting to feel isolated in their home of 51 years. Judy was experiencing some health problems and finding it difficult to navigate their multi-level home. While Merrill enjoyed their family home, he found it hard to maintain the large yard and aging house. The Skolniks began looking at continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), and after a lengthy search, they selected Roland Park Place in Baltimore, Md. The two native Baltimoreans have a long history in [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Merrill and Judy Skolnik were starting to feel isolated in their home of 51 years. Judy was experiencing some health problems and finding it difficult to navigate their multi-level home. While Merrill enjoyed their family home, he found it hard to maintain the large yard and aging house.</p>
<div id="attachment_19632" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8673rc.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-19632" alt="Merrill and Judy Skolnik were overwhelmed by the thought of moving until they enlisted the help of a moving coordinator." src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8673rc-300x260.jpg" width="300" height="260" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Merrill and Judy Skolnik were overwhelmed by the thought of moving until they enlisted the help of a moving coordinator.</p></div>
<p>The Skolniks began looking at continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), and after a lengthy search, they selected Roland Park Place in Baltimore, Md. The two native Baltimoreans have a long history in the area and were relieved to find a place in the city and close to their children.</p>
<p>After raising their four children, Judy launched a career as an advisor at Towson University. An electrical engineer, Merrill earned his degree from Johns Hopkins University and worked for nearly 40 years for the U.S. government. When he retired, he was the Superintendent of the Radar Division of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and a widely renowned author and expert in radar technology.</p>
<p>After living in the same home for decades, the Skolniks were overwhelmed by the thought of moving. Even after finding the right retirement community, they had no idea of where or how to start the transition.</p>
<p>The staff at Roland Park Place suggested that the Skolniks enlist the help of Senior Transitions, Inc., a moving coordinating company owned and operated by Charna Kinneberg, RN, MBA. Senior Transitions assists seniors and their families with every aspect of the moving process from planning and downsizing to packing and unpacking.</p>
<p>“We are not a one-size-fits-all company. Each client is unique,” Charna explained. “Our services are tailored to relieve the stress of moving, and our first goal is to determine the exact needs of the client.”</p>
<p>When Charna started helping the Skolniks, relocating began to seem manageable. “She just took the whole burden off; she was in charge,” recalled Judy. “Thank goodness for Charna.”</p>
<div id="attachment_19633" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 210px"><a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8690rc.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-19633" alt="Instead of worrying about home maintenance or feeling isolated, the Skolniks now enjoy a wide range of activities with new friends and neighbors." src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/IMG_8690rc-200x300.jpg" width="200" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Instead of worrying about home maintenance or feeling isolated, the Skolniks now enjoy a wide range of activities with new friends and<br />neighbors.</p></div>
<p>Charna helped Judy and Merrill make key decisions about what to take with them and what to leave behind. “She’s very decisive,” Judy recalled of Charna. “She knows what should be done and just does it.” She also enlisted help to do the packing and unpacking, so the couple did not have to worry about the physical tasks of the move.</p>
<p>“They were just wonderful,” Judy said of Senior Transitions. “They pack you up, and they bring you here, and they unpack you. They even make up your bed, and you’re ready to begin your new life.”</p>
<p>In addition to being efficient and professional, Charna and her staff also formed a personal relationship with the Skolniks. It was almost a year after they moved that Judy recalled seeing some of Senior Transitions’ staff members in the lobby of Roland Park Place. “A new resident was moving in upstairs with Charna’s help. I recognized the movers, and, to my surprise, they greeted me by name. They remembered everything about us. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.</p>
<p>Since moving, the Skolniks have enjoyed a much-improved lifestyle. Merrill stopped driving and Judy only drives during the day, so the couple rarely ventured out in the evenings while living in their house. Now, they take the community bus to the opera, theater, concerts and dinners. “There’s something to do here all the time,” Judy said. “I try to take advantage of everything, and it’s been very stimulating.”</p>
<p>Finding a community close to home and the professionals to help them make the move has helped the Skolniks transition to their ideal retirement. From living an isolated life in their increasingly burdensome house to enjoying activities and events with new friends and neighbors, the Skolniks have certainly made a move in the right direction.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/moving-in-the-right-direction-senior-transitions-inc/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Discovering a Sense of Community in Retirement</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/discovering-a-sense-of-community-in-retirement/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/discovering-a-sense-of-community-in-retirement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:09:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Continuing Care Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenwich Village New York City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim Harkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marta Harkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[McLean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Va]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Veterans Administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vinson Hall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1228</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marta and Jim Harkins easily recall the exact time they met. That is because the Greenwich Village New York City residents stood at the same bus stop every day at 8:30 in the morning; Jim heading to his job at a bank and Marta to her job as an office manager for a small manufacturing company. Their small talk soon progressed to dinner and today they celebrate 51 years of marriage. The couple relocated to Arlington where they raised their [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/happy-retirement-community-residents.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7323" title="happy retirement community residents" src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/happy-retirement-community-residents.jpg" alt="grandparents enjoy living in a retirement community in virginia" width="150" height="150" /></a>Marta and Jim Harkins easily recall the exact time they met. That is because the Greenwich Village New York City residents stood at the same bus stop every day at 8:30 in the morning; Jim heading to his job at a bank and Marta to her job as an office manager for a small manufacturing company. Their small talk soon progressed to dinner and today they celebrate 51 years of marriage.</p>
<p>The couple relocated to Arlington where they raised their two children as Jim, a Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, worked for the Veterans Administration while Marta ran a tax business. Eventually, the nest emptied and the family grew with four grandchildren. In 2002, the Harkins decided to consider downsizing when the older of the two turned 80 years old.</p>
<p>They were further inspired after visiting a past neighbor at Vinson Hall, a continuing care retirement community located in McLean, VA for commissioned military officers and their immediate family members, as well as career government officers. &#8220;We were very impressed, so we applied and got an apartment here,&#8221; said Jim.</p>
<p>With their positive attitudes toward the move, the couple did not struggle with downsizing like other couples they know. Instead, the couple boasts about their new apartment. They feel it&#8217;s one of the best in the community due to its unique floor plan and great views.</p>
<p>Vinson Hall&#8217;s close proximity to Arlington allows Marta and Jim to continue using the same doctors and easily maintain other community ties. In fact, Marta, who is legally blind, continues the hospital volunteer work she is so passionate about. &#8220;I am still in good shape so I can do it,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I love it; I really and truly do.&#8221;</p>
<p>Another attribute of Vinson Hall they appreciate is its small size of less than 200 residents that have come to feel like family. &#8220;The residents are from all walks of life and many have travelled all over the world,&#8221; said Jim. &#8220;We have more sense of community here than we had in Arlington.&#8221;</p>
<p>And with their close-knit &#8220;family&#8221; they have enjoyed the many social activities the community offers. Jim continues to coordinate movie viewings in the community, as he has for the past eight years, while Marta is the coordinator for the low vision support group, which even includes non-residents.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s the sense of community and enjoyable lifestyle they have found that encourages Marta to share her proactive mentality about downsizing. &#8220;Don&#8217;t wait until you must move, do it when you can,&#8221; she said.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/discovering-a-sense-of-community-in-retirement/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Living Senior: A Couple Downsizing Turns to a Real Estate Specialist</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/a-couple-downsizing-turns-to-a-real-estate-specialist/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/a-couple-downsizing-turns-to-a-real-estate-specialist/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:31:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Moving and Downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seniors Real Estate Specialists]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angela Berke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[california]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Frank Capozzoli]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Glen Mills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hatboro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Italian American Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maris Grove]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paxon Hollow Middle School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pennsylvania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philadelphia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Fox & Roach Team of Diane Krause]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate specialist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sally Capozzoli]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Real Estate Specialists]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SRES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Veterans Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World War II]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1199</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In 1945 Frank and Sally Capozzoli met at a party to celebrate the end of World War II. Frank was in the Navy and Sally was working in Hatboro in an airplane factory. They were married in 1946 and their first baby arrived in 1947. When their third daughter was on the way, the couple built a brand new house in Broomall. The Capozzis had a busy and fun-loving life. Frank worked for 26 years as a postal carrier and [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/loving-grandparents-in-Pa..jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8277" src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/loving-grandparents-in-Pa.-300x279.jpg" alt="learning new skills in assisted living community" width="300" height="279" /></a>In 1945 Frank and Sally Capozzoli met at a party to celebrate the end of World War II. Frank was in the Navy and Sally was working in Hatboro in an airplane factory. They were married in 1946 and their first baby arrived in 1947. When their third daughter was on the way, the couple built a brand new house in Broomall.</p>
<p>The Capozzis had a busy and fun-loving life. Frank worked for 26 years as a postal carrier and always enjoyed meeting people along his 300 stop route. Sally stayed home to raise the children, but when their youngest went to school, she took a job at Paxon Hollow Middle School. Sally loved to cook and they enjoyed entertaining their family including six grandchildren and many friends in their home.</p>
<p>Recently, between the challenges of climbing stairs, shopping, housekeeping and meal preparation, the Capozzis felt it was time for a lifestyle change. After Frank fell, their daughters encouraged them to move to a community that would provide one floor living, meals, transportation and social activities. The Capozzis considered several communities and were most impressed by Maris Grove in Glen Mills, Pa., a newer and conveniently located community near their eldest daughter, Denise and her husband.</p>
<p>It was time to sell their home of over 50 years. Fortunately, their son-in-law Stan, who had just retired, immersed himself in the business of getting the house shipshape. All three daughters pitched in, including Judy and Janet who live in California.</p>
<p>To market and sell their home, Frank and Sally selected the <a href="/experts/moving-and-downsizing/details/58/diane-krause---prudential-fox-and-roach"><br />
Prudential Fox &amp; Roach Team of Diane Krause</a> and Angela Berke who are Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES). Diane and Angela recommended some minor landscaping for curb appeal and staged the house with furniture and accessories to complement the Capozzis&#8217; décor as well as lighten, brighten and contemporize the look of the home.</p>
<p>The house was sold within two weeks. Frank and Sally appreciated Angela and Diane&#8217;s hands-on approach which included experience in negotiation and helping the Capozzis overcome township inspection requirements and meet an imposing 30-day settlement during one of the worst Philadelphia winters.</p>
<p>Frank and Sally are relieved and delighted to be at Maris Grove where they are making friends, volunteering their time for interesting causes and going back to their roots with their involvement with the Italian American Club and Veterans Club.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/a-couple-downsizing-turns-to-a-real-estate-specialist/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lunch with Friends: Independent Living</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/lunch-with-friends/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/lunch-with-friends/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:53:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Independent Living Retirement Communities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ABC News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apartment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bethesda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevy Chase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Classic Residence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Classic Residence by Hyatt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clubs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Connecticut Avenue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cover Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[daughter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eugene Cowen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Europe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foreign Service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Georgetown Mansion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Italy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joan Marie Poulin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lunch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nixon Administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Normand Poulin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phyllis Cowen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Potomac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Life Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rental senior living community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roundhouse Theatre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Syracuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taking Over the Government of the United States]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vice President of the Washington Bureau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington DC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Watergate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[welcoming committee]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1185</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Guide to Retirement Living met with Phyllis and Eugene Cowen and <a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/senior-residents-enjoy-lunch.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7483" src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/senior-residents-enjoy-lunch-300x131.jpg" alt="senior residents enjoy lunch" width="300" height="131" /></a>Normand and Joan Marie Poulin over lunch at the <a href="/housing/details/475/classic-residence-by-hyatt">Classic Residence by Hyatt</a>, a rental senior living community in Chevy Chase, Md. It is a fitting meeting spot as the very place that these friends met.</em></p>
<p><strong>Interesting Backgrounds</strong><br />
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.</p>
<p>&#8220;I always make sure to share that I wasn&#8217;t there during Watergate,&#8221; 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>&#8220;For me it was love at first sight!&#8221; said Normand. The married couple&#8217;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.</p>
<p><strong>Changing Lifestyles</strong><br />
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 &#8220;We had to get out of there before we had an accident,&#8221; said Eugene.</p>
<p>Phyllis learned of Classic Residence by Hyatt through her Bridge partner. &#8220;The location was perfect for us &#8211; close to the city, the culture and downtown Bethesda,&#8221; she said.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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&#8217;s disease. &#8220;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,&#8221; said Joan Marie.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>&#8220;We loved the atmosphere and the ambiance,&#8221; said Normand. &#8220;When we found out it was a rental and didn&#8217;t require purchase or a large entry fee, we were very excited.&#8221;<br />
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.</p>
<p>Both couples made a conscious decision to move to a community that did not have an upfront entrance fee, ownership or investment. &#8220;We had no way to predict the changes in the economy,&#8221; said Eugene. &#8220;In light of the changes, it was certainly a good financial decision to choose a rental community.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Making the Move</strong><br />
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.</p>
<p>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&#8217;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.</p>
<p>Getting help with the move wasn&#8217;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.</p>
<p><strong>Settling into an Enjoyable Lifestyle</strong><br />
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.</p>
<p>Eugene is also a fixture in many activities, such as running the Classic Forum which brings notable speakers to the community. &#8220;One of the best things is that you have the option not to participate and enjoy your own pursuits and hobbies,&#8221; he said. This flexibility is perfect for Eugene, who has &#8220;phased his time&#8221; to work on his second book since moving to the community, a thriller titled &#8220;Taking Over the Government of the United States.&#8221;</p>
<p>Joan Marie and Normand participate in exercise classes and are excited to start the aquatic programs in the community&#8217;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.</p>
<p>In addition to the abundant offerings in the community, Classic Residence&#8217;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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our children can sleep well at night knowing we are here and how happy we are,&#8221; 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.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/lunch-with-friends/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>An Unbelievable Surprise: Moving to a Retirement Community</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/an-unbelievable-surprise/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/an-unbelievable-surprise/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:59:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Moving and Downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Move Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apartment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ashby Ponds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnie Iandolo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[difficult]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[floor plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joel Danick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[move management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Relations Department]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Registrar Office]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susie Danick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transitional Assistance & Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unpack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Iandolo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1138</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For Bonnie and William Iandolo, trying to visualize their apartment after downsizing from the family home was rather difficult. By utilizing an experienced moving company, however, their move was not only stress-free, but the couple could not believe their eyes when they first entered their new residence. Bonnie, who started working at American University for the Public Relations Department, eventually retired from the law school&#8217;s Registrar Office. When William, a lawyer, started having problems with his leg, the couple knew [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For Bonnie and William Iandolo, trying to visualize their apartment after downsizing from the family home was rather difficult. By utilizing an experienced moving company, however, their move was not only stress-free, but the couple could not believe their eyes when they first entered their new residence.</p>
<p>Bonnie, who started working at American University for the Public Relations Department, eventually retired from the law school&#8217;s Registrar Office. When William, a lawyer, started having problems with his leg, the couple knew it was time for a transition.</p>
<p>&#8220;When our son and daughter-in-law also encouraged us, we became more serious about it,&#8221; said Bonnie.</p>
<p>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&#8217;s downturn, the Iandolos knew the actual process of moving and parting with their belongings would not be easy.</p>
<p>It was then they were introduced by their son to Joel and Susie Danick of Maryland-based Transitional Assistance &amp; Design. After the move managers gave the Iandolos a presentation, they sat down with the couple to review the floor plan of their apartment.</p>
<p>&#8220;Based on the square footage, Joel helped us figure out what we could and could not take,&#8221; said Bonnie. &#8220;He worked very hard at making everything right.&#8221;</p>
<p>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&#8217;s belongings and have it ready before they stepped foot in their apartment.</p>
<p>&#8220;I was absolutely floored when I came upstairs, I think my heart actually stopped,&#8221; said Bonnie. &#8220;They had done such a marvelous job putting everything together and it was all polished; it was like walking into a new home.&#8221;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>&#8220;They are so organized and knowledgeable about problems with spacing and layouts and they ensure everything is finished when you move in,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It was a wonderful feeling and I could not have asked for anything more perfect for an end product.&#8221;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/an-unbelievable-surprise/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Discover New Jersey: Active Adults</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/discover-new-jersey/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/discover-new-jersey/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Activities for Seniors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthy Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Absecon Lighthouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Active Adults]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[administering care plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[America in Miniature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Revolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlantic County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlantic Ocean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beaches]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boardwalks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burlington County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Camden County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cape May]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Collingswood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delaware Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delaware River]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dinosaur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Garden State]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gateway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greater Atlantic City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haddonfield]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liberty State Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lucy the Elephant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[main street]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manhattan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Margate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[museum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Wildlife Refuge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Jersey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New york]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recreation and leisure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salem County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior-serving professionals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Skylands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Southern Shore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statue of Liberty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trenton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[turnpike]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Victorian houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildwood]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=88</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is the gateway to New York. It encompasses Liberty State Park, offering dramatic views of Manhattan and the Statute of Liberty. It is home to a famous turnpike that allows visitors to travel across the state quickly and easily. But slow down. Get off the turnpike. &#8220;America in Miniature&#8221; awaits. New Jersey is bordered by New York on the North, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay on the South, and Pennsylvania and [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is the gateway to New York.  It encompasses Liberty State Park, offering dramatic views of Manhattan and the Statute of Liberty.  It is home to a famous turnpike that allows visitors to travel across the state quickly and easily. But slow down.  Get off the turnpike. &#8220;America in Miniature&#8221; awaits.</p>
<p>New Jersey is bordered by New York on the North, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay on the South, and Pennsylvania and the Delaware River on the west.  The state can be divided into six, distinct regions:  Delaware River, Gateway, Greater Atlantic City, Shore, Skylands, and Southern Shore. Each of these regions offers various attractions, unique geography, and local flare. The Gateway region may be the most heavily traveled, but the Delaware River, Greater Atlantic City, and Southern Shore regions are excellent examples of all this unique microcosm has to offer.</p>
<p>The Delaware River Region is one of the largest areas in New Jersey.   Trenton, the region&#8217;s most prominent city and the state capital, is anchored by the gorgeous, gold-domed statehouse and, like most of this region, is steeped in the history of the American Revolution.  Historic Haddonfield has its own set of revolutionary stories, which may seem out of synch with the bronze dinosaur in the center of its Main Street.  The dinosaur commemorates the discovery of the first, nearly complete dinosaur skeleton by William Foulke in 1858.  The main street district in Collingswood is home to fine dining establishments and an eclectic variety of shops.  These are just a few of the many charming small towns and exciting cities throughout the region.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, this riverfront region offers countless opportunities for outdoor recreation.  Supawana Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Salem County is a 2,800 acre, internationally recognized wetlands and shorebird reserve that welcomes visitors.  Covering parts of Atlantic, Burlington, and Camden counties, Wharton State forest is the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System.  Countless recreational opportunities are available, including: mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and wildlife observation.</p>
<p>The 30 million visitors who travel to Atlantic City each year may do some gambling, but they are not spending all their time at the black jack table.  In addition to the twelve resort casinos, this region is also home to the world&#8217;s first boardwalk, museums, a lighthouse, and, of course, the Miss America Pageant.  Make the most of the city&#8217;s four miles of boardwalk by taking in the entertainment on the piers while snacking on salt water taffy or freshly roasted peanuts. After a day on the beach, visit the local museums, including &#8220;Lucy the Elephant&#8221; in Margate, the museum inside an elephant.  Climb to the top of the 171-foot Absecon Lighthouse for a spectacular view before heading back to the tables.</p>
<p>History and landscape gracefully combine to make this region a traveler&#8217;s dream and a resident&#8217;s source of pride.  With the Delaware Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, shoreline activities and scenery dominate the area.  Cape May, a quaint town known for its restored Victorian houses; Ocean City, with its famously busy boardwalks; and Wildwood, another great beachside town, are just a few examples of all that the Southern Shore has to offer.</p>
<p>Retiring in the Garden State. As residents age in place and seniors move from nearby areas, the senior population in New Jersey is burgeoning.  State and Local governments and area professionals have answered the demand of this population growth with new and innovative programs for seniors. In addition, a growing number of retirement communities offer a full range of amenities and care options.  Senior-serving professionals are also available to help with everything from moving and downsizing to administering a care plan.</p>
<p>Seniors in New Jersey can fully enjoy the &#8220;Garden State&#8221; knowing that any care they may need in the future is readily available. From acres of natural parkland to exciting cultural attractions and from rolling inland countryside to world-class beaches, they will quickly discover a beautiful, miniature America-complete with spacious skies and shining seas.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/discover-new-jersey/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Continuing Care Without Downsizing</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/continuing-care-without-downsizing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/continuing-care-without-downsizing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2005 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Active Adult/55+ Communities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independent Living Retirement Communities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[5 bypass heart operation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ashton MD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Billie Rice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brooke Grove Retirement Village]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carotid arteries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cataract removal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clarksville MD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cocktail party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Continuing Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home maintenance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independent Living Cottages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International Ozone Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maryland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Patent Department]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pre-dinner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rip Rice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saxophone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sewing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trumpet player]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[University of Maryland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR Grace Company Research Division]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=940</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;It would have been shorter if it were up to me,&#8221; says Rip Rice of his courtship of his wife, Billie. Rip was playing in a local swing band and spending a lot of time with the trumpet player and his girlfriend. He remembers, &#8220;We were sitting at this diner one night after a show, and I just said, &#8216;Don&#8217;t you have a friend who might want to date a saxophone player?&#8217;&#8221; The couple immediately thought of Billie, but determined [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/05/continuing-care-active-adult-from-MD.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7996" src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/05/continuing-care-active-adult-from-MD.jpg" alt="continuing care user active from MD" width="120" height="136" /></a>&#8220;It would have been shorter if it were up to me,&#8221; says Rip Rice of his courtship of his wife, Billie.  Rip was playing in a local swing band and spending a lot of time with the trumpet player and his girlfriend.  He remembers, &#8220;We were sitting at this diner one night after a show, and I just said, &#8216;Don&#8217;t you have a friend who might want to date a saxophone player?&#8217;&#8221; The couple immediately thought of Billie, but determined that she would be &#8220;too independent.&#8221;  Rip said, &#8220;Try me.&#8221;  They did.  Rip and Billie have now been married for 57 years.</p>
<p>Both Rip and Billie worked for the WR Grace Company Research Division (Clarksville, MD) for many years. Billie started as a secretary, but quickly worked her way up to Administrator to the head of the Patent Department.  Rip, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, was a chemist.  When downsizing forced them both out, Rip became an ozone consultant.  He founded the International Ozone Association in 1973 and has worked as a consultant in the field since then.  Still active in ozone consulting, Rip&#8217;s business takes him around the world, and he is considered an international expert on ozone.  Billie left the WR Grace Company in 1977 and has been a full-time housewife since then.  &#8220;She is so active and has always been an incredible support.  I&#8217;m a very lucky man,&#8221; says Rip.</p>
<p>The couple was living in a large family home on a two acre lot in Ashton, MD when Rip began to experience some health problems.  Following a 5-bypass heart operation, a procedure to clean his carotid arteries, and a cataract removal, he was no longer able to do the yard work or home maintenance he once had.  Billie had to do it all.  The Rices realized that a move to a retirement community would eliminate the burden of chores and give them more time to pursue their hobbies-playing saxophone for Rip and sewing and shopping for Billie.</p>
<p>However, they hesitated to make the move after watching several of their friends go through the excruciating process of downsizing from large homes to small apartments.  They were not ready to do that, and they were pleasantly surprised when they discovered that they did not have to.  The Rices had known of nearby Brooke Grove Retirement Village for some time; Rip played in several bands that performed at Brooke Grove, so when they learned of Brooke Grove&#8217;s plans to build new Independent Living cottages, they were excited.  The spacious cottages could afford them the opportunity to move to a continuing care retirement community without going through the pain of downsizing.</p>
<p>For the next several years, the Rices carefully considered all their options and visited quite a few communities before finally choosing Brooke Grove.  After such a long decision-making process, Rip and Billie looked forward to moving in, but were understandable tentative about how they would get along with their new neighbors.  Those reservations were unfounded: &#8220;We get closer every day.  It is truly amazing how well we all get along.  We are like a family now.&#8221;  The toughest decision the Rices and their neighbors now face is who will host the next pre-dinner or cocktail party.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/continuing-care-without-downsizing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sometimes Help is the Only Option: Independent Living</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/sometimes-help-is-the-only-option/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/sometimes-help-is-the-only-option/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2005 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Independent Living Retirement Communities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apartment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[california]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chevy chase MD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Classic Residence by Hyatt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent Living Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary Barrett]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NASMM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Association of Senior Move Managers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Navy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personnel training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SATs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Susie Danick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transitional Assistance & Design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=935</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After completing her service in the Navy, Mary Barrett went on to graduate school, where she majored in retailing. She specialized in personnel training while working for various retailers in California. Mrs. Barrett moved to D.C. after meeting her husband. The couple had three children later in life. She says, &#8220;I was having babies when my peers were talking about SATs.&#8221; Her children live all across the country now, and although Mrs. Barrett moved to a smaller home, she recently [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/05/grandmother-in-an-independent-living-in-maryland.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-8011" src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2005/05/grandmother-in-an-independent-living-in-maryland.jpg" alt="senior woman in an independent living in chevy chase MD" width="120" height="150" /></a>After completing her service in the Navy, Mary Barrett went on to graduate school, where she majored in retailing.  She specialized in personnel training while working for various retailers in California.  Mrs. Barrett moved to D.C. after meeting her husband.  The couple had three children later in life.  She says, &#8220;I was having babies when my peers were talking about SATs.&#8221;</p>
<p>Her children live all across the country now, and although Mrs. Barrett moved to a smaller home, she recently decided that it was time to get rid of her house and start a new life.  While looking for an independent living community, she considered communities that were further out because her friends had moved there.  She ultimately decided that she wanted to remain close to the city and avoid long commutes back and forth to her doctor&#8217;s offices.  Classic Residence by Hyatt, an independent living community in Chevy Chase, MD, has proven to be a great choice for Mrs. Barrett.</p>
<p>While touring a model apartment at Classic Residence, Mrs. Barrett commented on the resident&#8217;s attractive dï¿½cor. The resident responded, &#8220;I owe it all to Susie; don&#8217;t move without her.&#8221;  Mrs. Barrett found out that &#8220;Susie&#8221; was Susie Danick, the owner of Transitional Assistance &amp; Design.  Transitional Assistance &amp; Design is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM).  She took the resident&#8217;s advice and would now make the same suggestion to anyone facing the challenge of downsizing and moving to a retirement community.</p>
<p>Before the move, Transitional Assistance &amp; Design came in and took pictures of Mrs. Barrett&#8217;s belongings in order to duplicate the set-up of her house in her new apartment.  Next, Susie helped Mrs. Barrett prepare lists of things to take with her to the new apartment, to give away, to sell, and to throw away.  These steps prepared Mrs. Barrett for moving day, which, for her, was effortless.</p>
<p>&#8220;I never even saw a box,&#8221; she exclaims. &#8220;I left my house at 8:30 AM, and when I came to the new apartment the next day at 3:30 PM, everything was finished.  All my furniture was in its place; the kitchen utensils were in the drawers; the pictures were on the walls; the plants were placed all around.  It was really incredible to walk in and see all that she had accomplished so quickly.&#8221;  Mrs. Barrett goes on to say that she never saw or dealt with the movers.  Susie handled all the details for her, allowing her to spend time with her children and enjoy going out to dinner on her first night in her new apartment.</p>
<p>With all of her belongings in their proper place, Mrs. Barrett was able to transition smoothly to her new community. She laughs as she says, &#8220;My apartment really looks today just like it did the day I walked in.  Susie&#8217;s taste is so exquisite, and she had such wonderful decorating suggestions that I haven&#8217;t changed a thing.&#8221; Mrs. Barrett concludes, &#8220;I really couldn&#8217;t have done it without her.&#8221;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/sometimes-help-is-the-only-option/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Model Retirement: Money and Legal</title>
		<link>http://www.retirement-living.com/a-model-retirement/</link>
		<comments>http://www.retirement-living.com/a-model-retirement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2003 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lauren Searson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Money Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Elder Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Funeral Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Long-Term Care Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money & Legal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reverse Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[a whirlpool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alan Jung]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carroll Lutheran Village]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ccrc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[checklist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[comfort]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[continuing care retirement community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[daily money management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dental practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[downsizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exercise room]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[funeral planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grandchildren]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hospitality Committee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ideal retirement living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Katherine Jung]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[landlord]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mission Square]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money and legal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Residential Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Residential Living Level]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement living decisions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reverse mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[senior-serving professionals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[several common areas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wakefield Overlook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westminster]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=29</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Alan and Katharine Jung are truly a model for ideal retirement living. Not only have their retirement living decisions been well thought-out and proactive, but they have also embraced the new opportunities that retirement offers and are fully enjoying what they refer to as a &#8220;new season in their life.&#8221; The couple can certainly offer helpful advice to others concerning retirement living decisions-right down to the downsizing checklist Katharine devised. They did just that during a recent presentation for their [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-8500" src="http://www.retirement-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2003/12/Retired-couple-outside-with-insurance1.jpg" alt="elders outside of retirement home" width="120" height="162" /></p>
<p>Alan and Katharine Jung are truly a model for ideal retirement living. Not only have their retirement living decisions been well thought-out and proactive, but they have also embraced the new opportunities that retirement offers and are fully enjoying what they refer to as a &#8220;new season in their life.&#8221;  The couple can certainly offer helpful advice to others concerning retirement living decisions-right down to the downsizing checklist Katharine devised.</p>
<p>They did just that during a recent presentation for their fellow residents and prospective residents at Carroll Lutheran Village, a continuing care retirement community in Westminster, MD. Their presentation was part of a program about retirement living decisions, which included various senior -serving professionals.</p>
<p>Putting themselves in a position to fully enjoy their senior years has always been on the agenda for these two planners.  As Alan relates, &#8220;We were kind of in a unique situation in that we always knew that our home-office combination would be the cornerstone of our retirement financially.  We always had the mindset in place that is necessary to leave your home.  Too many people are tied to their homes, but we really weren&#8217;t.  We had plenty of time to prepare for the move.&#8221;  After Alan retired from his dental practice in 1991, the couple began preparing for moving from their spacious home to a one-bedroom apartment, which necessitated a radical downsizing of their possessions.</p>
<p>&#8220;Downsizing can be a painful procedure for some people,&#8221; admits Katharine.  However, Katharine and Alan helped ease the stress of downsizing by utilizing an ingenious inventory checklist.  This gave all three of the Jung&#8217;s children an opportunity to discuss items with their spouses and decide what they wanted.  It also allowed the Jungs to dispose of any unwanted items. Despite the hard work and difficulties involved in the moving process, the Jungs found it to be a rewarding experience: &#8220;The process was truly a liberating experience for us, because we came to the understanding of how relatively unimportant &#8216;things&#8217; are in our life.&#8221;</p>
<p>Reducing their baggage allowed the couple to completely change their lifestyle.  They moved to a waterfront apartment in Baltimore, which they speak of fondly as &#8220;a wonderful place, in a great, urban environment.&#8221;  Unfortunately, though, the living arrangement wasn&#8217;t as secure as the Jungs would have liked.  Alan explains, &#8220;The landlord and his wife were people that I knew, and we had grown up in the same neighborhood.  We were happy living with them, but they were getting older, and I began to wonder from time to time what would happen to us if they died.  I just didn&#8217;t feel secure for the long haul in that environment, so I began to think of other options.  My primary motive was to get Katharine into a position so that I could feel secure that if something happened to me she would be set.&#8221;</p>
<p>Alan talked about his apprehensions with Katharine and discovered that she was concerned for his future as well.  After discussing it, the couple decided that it was important to ensure that their children did not have to make any retirement-related decisions for them.  &#8220;I knew what it was like to have to make decisions for aging parents, and I didn&#8217;t want our children to have to go through that.  These are difficult decisions and can be heart-rending and often the right choice is not really clear.  So we thought it was best to eliminate all their potential worries, take care of ourselves, and let them get on with their lives,&#8221; recalls Alan.</p>
<p>After some preliminary research, the couple realized that a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) could offer them &#8220;the best of all worlds, since it offered comfort, safety, security, and freedom of movement at the Residential Living level.  A seamless transfer between various levels of health care would be there too, if the need ever arose.&#8221;  They started investigating CCRCs on-line and visited several communities in the Baltimore area.  When they went to visit Carroll Lutheran Village, they knew they had found their home amidst the beautiful grounds and welcoming residents.</p>
<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s not to like about this place?,&#8221; asks Alan.  &#8220;We have lived here for two and a half years now, and we couldn&#8217;t be happier.  Everything we could possibly need or want is right here.&#8221;  In fact, the two are very involved in the community.  Katharine serves on the Hospitality Committee, which is an integral part of the Resident Association. The committee helps new residents settle in by providing them with dinner arrangements and introductions.  As Katharine points out, &#8220;We want to make sure that we acquaint new residents not only with the physical campus, but also with the people and our way of life here. It&#8217;s incredibly important to help people adjust to the move because it can be very traumatic for some people.&#8221;</p>
<p>Katharine will have the opportunity to welcome countless new residents once the Village&#8217;s new expansion, Wakefield Overlook, is completed.  Wakefield Overlook is a premier, full-service community that will include 82 modern apartments, 60 Village homes, and a Mission Square featuring a Wellness Center and Hospitality Center.  The expansion project began in the spring of 2004 and, once completed, will nearly double the size of the Village.  The project will add countless amenities to the community, including a 25-meter pool, a whirlpool, a spa, an exercise room, and several common areas.</p>
<p>Although Katharine and Alan have no plans to move from their current apartment in the Village, they are looking forward to enjoying the new facilities and to meeting new neighbors.  Katharine relates, &#8220;The new Overlook is going to be an entirely different complex, and it will have a great community feel.  All of the amenities will be available to all of us, and I&#8217;m really looking forward to the swimming pool.&#8221;</p>
<p>To individuals who may be considering a move, Katharine and Alan suggest, &#8220;Don&#8217;t Wait!&#8221; Katharine advises, &#8220;You have no real picture of how wonderful the freedom of living in a retirement community is until you&#8217;ve moved.  It&#8217;s like living in any place, except you have the freedom to come and go as you please.  You have all types of amenities available to you and no responsibility for home or ground maintenance.&#8221;</p>
<p>With all their plans settled, this couple now spends most of their time volunteering to improve their community and spending time with their children and grandchildren.  From the beginning, they had a plan for the future and seeing that plan come to fruition has been very rewarding.  Of the completed moves and their new lifestyle, Alan concludes, &#8220;Katharine and I have been truly blessed in this new season of our lives.&#8221;  Katharine adds, &#8220;It is very important that people try to look forward to what they have to enjoy later in life.&#8221;  Katharine and Alan Jung continue to do just that-look forward to their future.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.retirement-living.com/a-model-retirement/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

<!-- Dynamic page generated in 1.018 seconds. -->
<!-- Cached page generated by WP-Super-Cache on 2013-07-15 19:12:05 -->