Retirement Living » MD

Finding the Right Chemistry–Hermitage

Kemmie Turpin — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:06:37 +0000

By Christy Brudin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Legacy Built with Care–Elizabeth Cooney Care Network

Kemmie Turpin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:05:10 +0000

Betty Jane Tate met her future husband in an unlikely place: a kindergarten class¬room. Young Betty Jane and Creston Tate became fast friends, but neither the young playmates nor their peers could have ever guessed what the future would hold.

Today, sitting in the home the couple has shared for more than 50 years, Betty Jane laughed as she recalled their uncommon love story. “We’ve really been together since kindergarten,” she said. As they grew older, the pair’s friendship deepened. Soon the two were dating, and when they turned 21, Betty Jane married Creston.

: Betty Jane Tate (left) has been able to maintain her independence with a little help from her caregive Gladys Coates.

The young couple quickly settled into their life together and started a family. Betty Jane was a stay-at-home mother to the couple’s three children. Meanwhile, Creston worked his way up from positions at fertilizer factories to a job as a car salesman. He excelled in his new position and today owns several car dealerships of his own.

Even at the age of 84, Creston is still working nearly full time. However, after Betty Jane fell in their home, he began to fear leaving her alone. “My fall really scared my husband and my family,” Betty Jane recalled.

While Betty Jane was still managing the couple’s home, she had several health issues, including congestive heart failure, which was making daily tasks more difficult. The family all agreed that Betty Jane needed a little extra help.

When Creston started to look into care options for his wife, he quickly turned to Elizabeth Cooney Care Network, an established home care agency that has been in business for more than 55 years. As natives of Baltimore, the couple was already familiar with the agency and their stellar reputation. In fact, Betty Jane recalled meeting the eponymous company founder as a teenager working in Baltimore.

A visionary in the nursing-care industry, Elizabeth Cooney pioneered the concept of providing comprehensive care options for individuals of all generations and need levels. After serving as the primary caregiver for her sister while she was battling cancer, Elizabeth was motivated to help other families with their care needs.

“She understood that there was a need to provide care giving services for all generations, from children to maternity to end of life. She really understood care giving on a very personal level,” explained Elizabeth Weglein, Cooney’s granddaughter, who runs the Elizabeth Cooney Care Network today with her brother, Jeffrey Weglein.

“This was really a very innovative concept,” Jeffrey said of his grandmother’s business model. “Initially, people really didn’t understand what home care was. For many years, we had to explain to people what we did.”

As the oldest full-service home care agency in the country, Elizabeth Cooney Care Network is extremely proud of their legacy. The third generation family business is deeply rooted in the community.

“We have been helping five generations of families and individuals,” Elizabeth said. “We get hugs all the time from people who we took care of, or who we helped with their mom or dad or grandparent. We really have this extended family in the community, and we have been able to touch so many lives.”

Elizabeth and Jeffrey started officially running the family business several decades ago, but they have been involved for as long as they can remember. “I don’t think we ever lived a day without breathing, eating and sleeping this business. The nature of this business is 24-7,” Elizabeth explained.

Elizabeth and Jeffrey both started their careers in the home care industry at the tender age of 12. “We were always responsible for parts of the business,” Jeffrey remembered. “Of course, at 12, we were mostly filing,” he added with a laugh. While the siblings both briefly pursued other careers, they were quickly drawn back to the family business. It’s no surprise then that they both have a seemingly innate passion for the industry and their clients.

“We have had a very strong reputation in the business for 55 years, and we are very passionate about what we do,” Elizabeth said. Despite their longstanding reputation, the Care Network refuses to rest on its laurels, instead always pursuing new techniques and industry advances to help their clients. “We are always striving to educate ourselves about what’s going on in the industry, and we tend to be trendsetters,” Elizabeth said. “We also have a great team, who really love what they do.”

When Creston called the Elizabeth Cooney Care Network for help, he spoke with Care Coordinator Valerie Stepek, who was able to tap into the Network’s immense resources to find the right caregiver for Betty Jane. When she recommended Gladys Coates to the Tate family, she knew it would be a perfect fit. “Gladys has been a caregiver since 1996, and I could tell Mr. Tate with confidence that she was the best person for the job,” Valerie said.

Gladys now helps Betty Jane three days a week for several hours. She provides health management, housekeeping and companionship services. “Gladys is really good company,” Betty Jane said. “I’m not ready for assisted living, but I do need someone for supervision and company, since my husband is out a lot.”

With a little extra help from Gladys, Betty Jane has been able to maintain her independence. “I’ve been really satisfied with everyone at Elizabeth Cooney. I’ve worked with really nice people,” she said.

In addition to making sure that clients are well cared for, Elizabeth Cooney Care Network’s providers offer much-needed respite for family caregivers. “Caregivers need to realize that they have to take care of themselves first,” Elizabeth said. “Bringing someone in and allowing them to help can give caregivers the space they need to take care of themselves and to maintain a loving relationship with the person who needs care.”

Ultimately, the home care services that Elizabeth Cooney Care Network provides allow families to enjoy their time together and to avoid the emotional and physical burdens of care giving. From helping families who are experiencing a short-term crisis to helping individuals manage a long-term illness, Elizabeth and Jeffrey Weglein and their team of experts are always ready to provide care. After all, they are the keepers of a legacy that was built with care.

A Veteran Finds a Dependable Home Health Agency

Lauren Searson — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:12:34 +0000

England native Christine Aaron can often be heard sharing her stories from serving in the War. The 88-year-old veteran, whose duties included helping distribute uniforms, refers to herself as a ‘bird’ in those years.

Following her discharge due to a bout with pneumonia, she met an American whom she married and settled with in Towson, Md. They had three children as Christine pursued a career as a care worker.

When her husband passed away, she proceeded to live with her daughter and son-in-law. A cancer survivor, Christine has severe arthritis and started requiring more assistance than her working loved ones could provide. She knew she wanted to remain at home as opposed to making the transition to a senior housing option, so she looked to outside resources for making this possible.

With the help of a local veterans organization, she was referred to Linda Tomarchio with Options for Senior America, a company that provides in-home care throughout the state of Maryland as well as Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

Christine receives home care for 20 hours during the workweek. In addition to offering assistance with daily activities, her primary caregiver, Whitney Anderson, provides Christine with her needed oxygen and colostomy bag. Each day, Christine looks forward to the companionship and support she has found with Whitney.

“They’ve been very good to us. My caregiver comes five days a week and she bathes me and cooks,” she said.

She also maintains her connections with the veterans organization who also offer her assistance by providing wheelchairs, walkers and stairlifts. With all of the support she has received, she enjoys taking care of her bird Ringo, which she proudly named after the Beatle. She also spends her time getting together with friends from church.

“I love being around people,” she said. “I belong to the Baptist church and we have all kinds of dinners.”

Most importantly, however, Christine knows utilizing the services of a home care company has given her family peace of mind.

“Options is wonderful,” she said. “They’ve always been there to send someone to help me. They have been very good and have never let me down.”

Assisted Living: Two of a Kind

Lauren Searson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:19:04 +0000

With a world full of possibilities, people never know who they might meet and just how many others are experiencing similar situations in life. This is the case for Dorothy Weinstein and Patricia Enid Rose Low. While Dorothy lives in Woodholme Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in the heart of Pikesville, Patricia resides at Symphony Manor, an Assisted Living and Memory Care Community located in the historic downtown neighborhood of Roland Park.

Since both communities are managed by Peregrine Health Management, these two women are able to enjoy the benefits of the organization’s visionary programs and mission to revolutionize expectations for the aging process. Dorothy and Patricia met for the first time at this interview, and after only a few minutes of chatting it was clear they were “two of a kind,” as Patricia stated. “There are a lot of things that we have in common.” Most notably it is their warm demeanor and the fact that both women had cared for their family members as they needed assistance themselves.
A great-grandmother to seven, Dorothy Weinstein is a lifelong resident of Baltimore. She enjoyed over 64 years of marriage to her husband. After he passed away, Dorothy decided to leave the family home of 29 years and downsize to an apartment with the help of her children.

When to Make the Move to Assisted Living

When Dorothy’s son became sick, she naturally rallied to care for him, but as his condition worsened, he needed the skilled care of an assisted living facility. Dorothy decided to move in with him. “Everyone thought I was out of my mind,”she said.

Having learned about Woodholme Gardens as it was being built, Dorothy and her son were able to move in to the community a few months later. She said, “It was brand new, so we were among the first residents to move in.”
Built in 2010, the community offers state-of-the-art accommodations for 80 residents addressing the needs of all assisted living residents including those with memory impairment and senior behavioral concerns. The community has embraced the philosophy of encouraging each resident to identify new goals or renew old interests so that they continue to grow physically, intellectually and spiritually. Woodholme Gardens provides support for each resident’s religious expression, whether it is through sacred ritual, meditation, scriptural reflection or prayer.

These and other features have been extra perks for Dorothy, who was impressed from the start with the community’s appearance. “It’s a lovely place, just beautiful,” she said. “I don’t ever intend to move.”

With certain criteria in mind, Patricia's children helped her find Symphony Manor where says she has been very happy. Meanwhile, Dorothy resides at Woodholme Gardens, a community that immediately appealed to her with its beautiful campus and array of amenities.

Patricia Enid Rose Low was born and raised in Bermuda. She credited the small, beautiful community in which she grew up for her outgoing personality, friendliness and warmth. “Some people have cats that they love, others have dogs that they love, I enjoy people,” she said with a smile. “So I am a people person.”

Patricia left Bermuda to attend college in Baltimore at Morgan State University and proceeded to teach chemistry, math and physics there for several years. She shared that she particularly enjoyed teaching young women who thought that they could not learn math and physics or excel in those disciplines. “My great joy was the students, not the meetings,” she said.

Like Dorothy, Patricia was called upon to help care for her relatives. In 1993 she returned to Bermuda to care for her father and aunt who were in their eighties. After the passing of both her father and sister, she spent some brief time back in Baltimore and then decided to live in Asheville, NC for a few years. Her many connections in Baltimore, however, led her to the decision to eventually move back.

What to Look for in Senior Housing

With their mother in good health, Patricia’s son and daughter did some research on potential new living options that would enable her to have a future with security. “There were very specific things that I wanted,” she said. “I wanted activities, I wanted to be in a beautiful place, and I wanted very delightful food because I was not going to be doing any cooking. I just wanted to enjoy life.”

Her children discovered these features and much more at Symphony Manor, where Patricia also became one of the first residents and has certainly been enjoying life. “I am very happy here,” she said.

Both women cite the array of activities and the amenities that have allowed them a maintenance-free lifestyle as the most important elements in their new homes. Peregrine Communities are committed to establishing programs that are separate from the status quo. “We have a wonderful activities director at Symphony Manor who has us doing different things all the time,” said Patricia.

Enjoying an Active Lifestyle in Assisted Living Facilities

According to Dorothy, Woodholme has regular entertainment, from a talented musician playing on the community’s grand piano to different theme parties. As both women have enjoyed establishing friendships and taking advantage of the numerous activities their communities offer onsite, they appreciate the transportation each place provides to various restaurants, shopping and other local cultural offerings.

Both women are enjoying the maintenance-free lifestyle and numerous activities their communities offer. With daytrips, parties and regular entertainment, they have each established several friendships.

“The environment at Symphony Manor is very nice and I like the proximity that this area of Baltimore has to so many places of interest,” said Patricia.

Meanwhile, Dorothy has loved the surprises she experiences regularly when venturing offsite. “Every Wednesday, the young man who drives us will take us out for a surprise ride on the bus and will stop for different things, such as ice cream,” she said.

Both communities have also adapted cutting edge programs for stimulating long-term memory. These include memory arts for dementia residents, Community Connections, and, complementary therapies such as massages, drum circles, Reiki and music therapy.

Although Patricia and Dorothy have family and friends nearby, their communities have embraced technology to keep residents connected by utilizing web cameras to facilitate communications between residents and their families and friends.

Specialized Programs in Senior Housing

Woodholme Gardens also features Peregrine Health Management’s innovative programming in Geri-Psych. This geriatric behavioral health program was successfully developed in 2004 based on findings that mental health professionals and family members alike prefer a residential setting to meet the needs of seniors with behavioral health disorders.

Stephen Bowman, the president of Peregrine Health Management, believes that residents who live in their facilities are individuals who are full of life, with unique pasts and particular interests. “Our goal is to enhance their lives by stimulating those interests and encouraging them to continue to grow both mentally and spiritually…. celebrating life!” he said.

And Dorothy and Patricia feel fortunate in having so many reasons to celebrate life having found homes that provide them with the support and security they desired.

Read the full story, order SourceBook by calling 1-800-394-9990

“The hardest part of getting older is that you no longer have anyone older or wiser than yourself to whom you can ask questions — no mother to ask, no father,” said Dorothy.

For both these women, as Patricia has always believed in life, things truly fell into place. As individuals who in the past made the commitment to care for others, they have come full circle now living in places that have made the same commitment to them.

Community Retirement:Life’s an Adventure

Lauren Searson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:53:34 +0000

Morgan and Rosalie Johnson have explored the world and lived a life helping each other, they now call The Hermitage of Northern Virginia, retirement community home.

As a graduate of the seminary with a degree in fine art, Morgan Johnson found his calling in life when he realized the effect of using pictures to teach people to read in Africa. After a three-year term utilizing his talents and education as a missionary, however, Morgan returned home, wishing to get married before he traveled back to Africa.

Fate kicked in when his mother, a professor, invited her student, Rosalie to dinner. “She had quoted her son quite frequently in class, so I was very curious to meet him,” said Rosalie. The two eventually married and after she finished medical school at Emory University, they began an adventurous life in Africa together.

There, Rosalie had ample opportunity to assist others as a physician as Morgan continued teaching and shared his passion for art through weekly illustrations in the local newspaper. All but one of their five children were born in Africa.Unlike most missionary families, the couple’s children attended the local village schools even in a time of intense segregation.”Our children have told us they are proud they attended the local schools,” said Morgan.”They have all done very well.”

When their kids were grown and in college the couple returned to Atlanta. “Some people think that we sacrificed on our mission work, but for us it was so much fun,” said Rosalie.

In 1991 Morgan officially retired and was researching a book while Rosalie spent the following decade working at an AIDS Clinic. “It was fascinating and rewarding work, since I had seen my first AIDS patients in Africa when we had no treatment or medication,” she said.

As their children began starting their own families, they were primarily congregating around the Washington, D.C. area, so after Rosalie’s retirement, the Johnsons moved to an apartment in Silver Spring, Md. to be closer to everyone.

Soon they started thinking about their future and how they could continue their engaging lifestyle even if their health changed.As a result they started looking at retirement communities, and were drawn to the Methodist roots they found at the Hermitage in Northern Virginia, a not-for-profit community located in Alexandria.”We got a sense of belonging very quickly after moving here,” said Morgan.

Although they have a unique history, the Johnsons have truly enjoyed meeting their fellow residents at the Hermitage and hearing about their interesting experiences and varied passions.”We learn so much from each other here,” said Morgan.

Most importantly, they feel secure in knowing that their potential healthcare needs will be met with the assisted living and nursing care that is available at the Hermitage. “It really gives you peace of mind,” said Rosalie. “So far we haven’t needed it but it’s great to know that it’s here.”

Morgan continued saying, “Our family can rest easy knowing that we are well taken care of here, too.”

With this security and freedom from home-maintenance, the Johnsons enjoy the abundance of activity the Hermitage has to offer.”We have things going on here all the time,” said Rosalie, who, like Morgan, is involved in several committees and the Resident Council.

Between their years spent in Africa and the numerous opportunities and amenities they have found at the Hermitage, it may be safe to say that for the Johnsons, life is, and will continue to be, a constant adventure.

ProAging @ Vinson Hall – Social Work Month Celebration

Lauren Searson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:57:28 +0000

Over 150 of the regions most influential senior-serving professionals packed the house at Vinson Hall for the annual Social Work Month Celebration. Everyone enjoyed great food and networking. Vinson Hall marketing director, Arvette Reid shared Vinson Hall’s plans for expansion.

The program featured a panel presentation with representatives from area hospitals who discussed the role of case management departments, opportunities and challenges for professionals, and innovative programs. The audience was able to engage in a lively question and answer session.

Panel Members:

Mary Belanich Virginia Hospital Center (703) 558-5903 mbelanich@virginiahospitalcenter.com
Anne Freeman Reston Hospital Ctr Social Wrk (703) 689-9360 anne.freeman@hcahealthcare.com
Carol McKnight Reston Hospital Ctr Social Wrk (703) 689-9232
Julie Widman Reston Hospital Ctr Social Wrk (703) 689-9270 julia.widman@hcahealthcare.com
Kristin Smith, MSW, MSN Inova Fairfax Hospital (703) 776-6824
Susan Heisey Inova Fairfax Hospital (703) 776-6824 susan.heisey@inova.com

Below is a list of some of the professionals in attendance:

Serkalem Fisseha 1st American Home Health Services (703) 922-9555 serkalem@1stamericanhomehealth.com
Anastasia Copeland Aarondale Assisted Living (703) 813-1808 acopeland@rui.com
Jim Lindsay Adult Companion Care Inc (703) 549-7894 jl@adultcompanioncare.com
Christina Xanthakys Advance Home Health Care, LLC (703) 421-2273 cxanthakys@verizon.net
Kelly Besecker AFrame Digital (703) 203-1705 kelly@aframedigital.com
Wendy Chinn Allyn Solutions (571) 214-6375 allynsolutions@gmail.com
Ellen Cochrane Als Association (301) 978-0855 ecochrane@alsinfo.org
Scott Maguire Always Best Care (703) 463-9462 smaguire@abc-seniors.com
Timopthy Holt American Senior Care (703) 992-7280 tholt@americanseniorcare.com
Yasmine Bonilla Ameriprise (703) 610-7244 yasmine.l.bonilla@ampf.com
Joana Appiah Angels Touch Health Care Services LLC (571) 285-5907
Katherine Owens Arden Courts (703) 383-0060 369-mktg@hcr-manorcare.com
Christi Clarke Arden Courts Of Annandale (703) 256-0882 chclark@hcr-manorcare.com
Mabel Barrett Arden Courts Of Annandale (703) 256-0882 ext. 202 670-mktg@hcr-manorcare.com
Nancy Fiedelman Aynsley Group Ltd (703) 893-8989 nef@aynsley.com
Musadaq Hussein Bella Home Care Services (703) 323-4912 musadaq@bellahomecare.com
Sebastian Graham BestCare Home Care Inc. (703) 583-4663 graham@bestcarehomecare.com
Judy Brady Birmingham Green (703) 257-6242 jbrady@birminghamgreen.org
Ebenezer Banahene Blessed Healthcare Professionals (703) 494-6014 info@blessedhcp.com
Jennifer Boysko Board of Supervisors Dranesville District (703) 471-5076 jennifer.boysko@fairfaxcounty.gov
Buckley Kuhn Fricker Buckleys For Seniors 703-390-0535 buckley.fricker@buckleysllc.com
Patricia Barnett Buckleys For Seniors (703) 537-6973 patricia.barnett@buckleys4seniors.com
Calli Razavi Capital Hospice (703) 777-7866 crazavi@capitalhospice.org
Iris Kalman Capital Hospice (703) 777-7866 ikalman@capitalhospice.org
Leisa Rebold Capital Hospice (703) 777-7866 lrebold@capitalhospice.org
Deborah Rosse CareOptions (703) 538-6838 dhrossathome@yahoo.com
Jackie Romano-Dee CareOptions (703) 237-9048 jrdee@careoptionsva.com
Jessica DiPillo CareOptions (703) 237-9048 jdipillio@careoptionsva.com
Paul Stolzenbach CareOptions (703) 237-9048 pstolzenbach@careoptionsva.com
Shannon Campanelli CareOptions (703) 237-9048
Adiatu Busairu-Martin CheerwayCare (301) 294-7555
Annette Hamel Collaboration Consultant (800) 814-5840 ahamel@clickcare.com
Toni Reinhart Comfort Keepers (703) 435-2500 Reston@comfortkeepers.com
Nancy Rubel Commonwealth Health & Rehab Center (703) 934-5000 nrubel@commonwealth-rehab.com
Comfort Owusu Compat Cert In Home Nursing (703) 221-1288 compat.chn@gmail.com
Tina Marie Lester Dynamic Home Health Care (703) 263-9192 tina.dynamic@gmail.com
Kristen Murphy, M.S.G ElderCare Strategies (703) 723-3737 kristennoel20@earthlink.net
Kimberly Morris Envoy of Woodbridge (703) 491-6167 kimberly.r.george@envoycare.com
Vicki Stewart Equinox Healthcare (703) 652-0929 vstewart@equinoxhealthcare.com
Allyson Jones Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm (703) 243-3200 amj@lifecareplanning.com
Sherry Brim, MSW Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm (703) 243-3200 slb@lifecareplanning.com
Adele Denny Evercare Hospice 703-896-7700 adele_s_denny@uhc.com
Bev O’brien Evercare Hospice 703-896-7700 beverly_obrien@uhc.com
Cheri Reid Evercare Hospice (571) 262-5200 cheri_reid@uhc.com
Lisa England Evercare Hospice (571) 262-5200 lisa_a_england@uhc.com
Sharon Lynn Fairfax Area Agency On Aging (703) 324
5425 sharon.lynn@fairfaxcounty.gov
Mary Cramer Fairfax Co Fire & Rescue Dept (703) 246-3506 mary.cramer@fairfaxcounty.gov
Alison Banks Fairfax Nursing Center (703) 667-9800 banksa106@gmail.com
Norma Blackwell Fairfax Nursing Center (703) 667-9800 ffxnursingcenter@aol.com
Yvonne Cullen Falcons Landing (703) 404-5303 ycullen@westfallscenter.org
Michael Burns Financial Advisor (703) 862-4895 mburns@wealthadvocates.net
Johnny Wilkinson Five Star Home Health (703) 273-0555
Jon Humerick Five Star Home Health (703) 273-0555 jh@fshh.om
Daniel Sanders Four Sales Ltd. (703) 256-8300 estate@foursales.com
Michael Formando Gainesville Health & Rehab Center (571) 248-6100 mformando@gainesville-rehab.com
Pat Velander Genworth Financial (703) 821-2360 pvelander@genworthltc.com
Jodee Yankey George Mason University-Human Resources Department (703) 993-1802 jyankey@gmu.edu
Christianna Coss Golden Living at Home (703) 218-1841 ccoss@goldenlivingathome.com
Jill Rosen Golden Living at Home (703) 218-1841 jrosen@goldenlivingathome.com
Vanessa Spevacek Grand Oaks (202) 349-3400 grandoaks.dcr2@sunriseseniorliving.com
Peggy Rowell Great Falls Assisted Living (703) 421-0690 prowell@greatfallsassistedliving.com
Warren Grossman Grossman and Assoc, PLC (703) 443-2300 wwgrossman@aol.com
Marlene Zaborsky Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook (703) 992-1118 marlene@proaging.com
Steve Gurney Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook (703) 992-1118 sgurney@gwpi.net
Pat Knauer HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Virginia (703) 957-2062
Betsy Marcelin Heartland Home Care & Hospice (703) 273-8693
Jessica Kutzler Heartland Home Care & Hospice (703) 273-8693 mjkutzler@cox.net
Leah Daily Heartland Home Care & Hospice (703) 273-8693
Providence Sey His Providence Home Health Care (540) 878-5746 hisproffsey1@yahoo.com
Alex Press Home Care Assistance (703) 356-4333 apress@homecareassistance.com
Monica Moon Home Care Providers monica.moon@hcp-va.com
John Johnson Home Instead (703) 750-6644 john.johnson@homeinstead.com
Stanley Dubiel Home Instead Senior Care (703) 533-7368 Stanley.Dubiel@homeinstead.com
Terry Okonsky Home Instead Senior Care (703) 533-7368 teresa.Okonsky@homeinstead.com
Dave Slaughter Homewatch CareGivers of FC (703) 992-7420 dslaughter@homewatchcaregivers.com
Donald Kissinger Homewatch CareGivers of FC (703) 992-7420 DKissinger@HomewatchCareGivers.com
Kristen Smith Inova Fairfax Hospital (703) 776-4819
Kristin Smith, MSW, MSN Inova Fairfax Hospital (703) 776-6824
Susan Heisey Inova Fairfax Hospital (703) 776-6824 susan.heisey@inova.com
Anita LaFrance Inova Loudoun Nursing and Rehabitation Center (703) 771-2838 anita.lafrance@inova.org
Thomas Gaye Lifeline Homecare (703) 543-7511 thomas@lifelinehomecare.com
Jay Gutnick LifeMatters – No. VA (703) 635-3729 jay@lifemattersusa.com
Audrey Anderson, RN, CCM Lighthouse Healthcare Inc (703) 550-1400 aanderson@lhihome.com
Tracey Domzalski Lighthouse Healthcare Inc (703) 550-1400 ldomzalski@lhihome.com
Charles de Vilmorin LinkedSenior (202) 277-2726 cdevilmorin@linkedsenior.com
Terry Gross LinkedSenior (703) 657-2950 tgross@linkedsenior.com
Betsy Sahagun Long & Foster (703) 851-7015 betsysellshomes@inf.com
Patricia O’neill LTC Financial Partners (703) 534-3255 pat.oneill@ltcfp.net
Rita Fagan M & T Bank (703) 963-6468 rfagan@mtb.com
Bonnie LaMay Meadow Glen Of Leesburg (703) 869-4529 bonnieLaMay@meadowglen.net
Abby Sternberg Media Masters (703) 503-5924 abby@mediamasters.tv
Antonella da Camara Medical Team (703) 390-2300 adacamara@medteam.com
lynette jacob Medical Team (703) 390-2300 ljacob@medteam.com
Mary Ellen Knecht Medical Team (703) 390-2300 meknecht@medteam.com
Michelle Williams Medical Team (703) 390-2300 mwilliams@medteam.com
Eileen Spinella Mount Vernon Nursing & Rehab (703) 360-4000 Eileen@mvnrc.net
Ali Abdi Nova Home Health Care (703) 865-4860 ali.abdi@novahhc.com
Tyras Madren Nursing Referral Service Of Nova Inc (703) 442-0229
Catherine Schott Murray Odin, Feldman & Pittleman (703) 218-2175 catherine.schottmurray@ofplaw.com
Carla Moore Paul Spring Retirement Community (703) 768-0234 carla_mooremarketing@rui.net
Gloria Boateng Premier Plus Homecare (703) 580-8118 gloria@premierplushomecare.com
Jennifer Jackson Prince William Area Agency on Aging (703) 792-6400 jejackson@pwcgov.org
Lorraine Eckhardt Prince William Area Agency on Aging (703) 792-6400 leckhardt@pwcgov.org
Barbara Diehl Prince William Senior Center (703) 792-6400 bdiehl@pwcgov.org
Virginia Andreeff Pro Health Care (703) 849-8808 virginia.andreeff@verizon.net
Sharon Dawson promo2motion (703) 215-0215 promo2motion@yahoo.com
Marc Regardie Regardie Group (202) 333-0958 marc@regardiegroup.com
Anne Freeman Reston Hospital Ctr Social Wrk (703) 689-9360 anne.freeman@hcahealthcare.com
Carol McKnight Reston Hospital Ctr Social Wrk (703) 689-9232
Julie Widman Reston Hospital Ctr Social Wrk (703) 689-9270 julia.widman@hcahealthcare.com
Gloria Cohan Reverse Mortgages Of Midatlant (703) 749-0466 gcohan@reversemort.com
Mark Frazier Right At Home (703) 538-4584 MarkF@RightAtHomeNoVa.com
Becky Schaffer Schaffer Construction Designs (703) 443-1861 info@schafferconstruction.com
Tony Schaeffer Schaffer Construction Designs (703) 443-1861 info@schafferconstruction.com
Christine Bitzer, LICSW Seabury Care Management (202) 364
0020 cbitzer@seaburyresources.org
Paula McMartin, LGSW Seabury Care Management (202) 364-0020 pmcmartin@seaburyresources.com
Barbara Allen Senior Employment Resources (703) 354-2925 b.allen.csu@gmail.com
Sheila Doyle Sheila Doyle (703) 239-2676 sheila.doyle@cox.net
Michelle Scott Shepherds Center of Oakton-Vienna (703) 281-5088 director@scov.org
Pam Navari Sommerset Retirement Community (703) 450-6411 pnavari_src@yahoo.com
Chuck Thornton Springvale Terrace (301) 587-0190 cthornton@seaburyresources.org
Claudia Guillen-Petts Sunrise Assisted Living at George Mason (703) 293-2415 Georgemason.DCR@sunriseseniorliving.com
Shelley Harris Sunrise at Fox Hill (301) 968-1837 Shelley.Harris@sunriseseniorliving.com
Ivanka Ilijic-Guillen Sunrise at Mt Vernon (703) 780-9800 mt.vernon.dcr@sunriseseniorliving.com
Ashley Daniel Sunrise Senior Living at Hunter Mill (703) 255-1006 huntermill.dcr@sunriseseniorliving.com
Mitch Opalski Synergy Homecare (703) 558-3435 mitch@shcarlington.com
Mia McNaughton Tall Oaks At Reston (703) 834-9800 mmcnaughton@talloaksatreston.com
Sylvia Rohrbough Tall Oaks At Reston (703) 834-9800
Jean Stanislawski The Stanislawski Group (703) 328-7352 thestanislawskigroup@gmail.com
Debra Schrag The Virginian (703) 279-3431 dschrag@thevirginian.org
Nancy Wesson The Virginian (703) 385-0555 NWession@thevirginian.org
Jennifer Brown The Washington House (703) 845-5100 jmariebrown@watermarkcommunities.com
Julie Black Thrive at Home (703) 383-9300 jblack@thriveathome.com
Marie Woodward Thrive at Home (703) 383-9300 mwoodward@thriveathome.com
Arvette Reid Vinson Hall Corporation (703) 506-2146 arvetter@vinsonhall.org
Fred Johnson Vinson Hall Corporation (703) 506-6913 fredj@vinsonhall.org
Gretchen Kemp Vinson Hall Corporation (703) 506-6900 gretchenk@vinsonhall.org
Maria Jordan Vinson Hall Corporation (703) 506-6913 mariaj@vinsonhall.org
Judy Leuthold Virginia Healthcare Services (703) 333-5288 jleuthold@va-hcs.com
Kelly Arthur Virginia Healthcare Services (540) 479-8333 karthur@va-hcs.com
Cathy Turner Virginia Hospital Center (703) 558-5903 cturner@virginiahospitalcenter.com
Mary Belanich Virginia Hospital Center (703) 558-5903 mbelanich@virginiahospitalcenter.com
Helen Flynn Weichert Realtors (703) 328-7187 helen@theflynnteam.com
Martin Shields West Financial Services (703) 847-2500 mshields@westfinancial.com

ProAging @ The Fairfax – The Village Concept in the DC Area
Date: Friday May 13, 2011
Time: Noon – 2
Location: The Fairfax
9140 Belvoir Woods Pkwy
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Description: Join other senior-serving professionals for one of the best networking events of the year. The Fairfax has a great venue and excellent food service.

This event is produced in partnership with the Washington Area Villages (WAV). Dont miss the opportunity to learn about the “Village Concept” and learn about the communities in DC, VA and MD that are on the forefront of this important movement. As a professional serving seniors and families this event will enable you to discuss this option with those you are serving and give you important information on where villages are in operation and development in our region.

Seating is limited so RSVP to rsvp@proaging.com.

ProAging at Symphony Manor Features Maryland Aging in Place Villages

Lauren Searson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:25:34 +0000

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:

Susan Newhouse from Village at Home
Maureen Cavaiola and Betty Farrar from At Home Chesapeake
Candace Baldwin, Village to Village Network was unable to attend due to illness, however she shared a powerpoint presentation with attendees to familiarize them with village concepts.

Attendees included the following professionals, alpha by Organization Name:

Rosemary Mclean A Move Matters (410) 404-3389 rbm43@comcast.net
Heather Murphy Abilities Network (410) 828-7700, Ext 1271 hmurphy@abilitiesnetwork.org
Vernee Ragin Active Day of Timonium (410) 560-6717 vragin@activeday.com
Ann Murray adcieo (443) 253-5359 ann.murray@adcieo.com
Arlene Saks-Martin Armel Inc (410) 655-6025 ajmartin37@comcast.net
Lauren Saks Armel Inc (410) 655-6025 ajmartin37@comcast.net
Donna DePazzo Atrium Village (410) 363-0330 ddepazzo@seniorlifestyle.com
Beth Wiseman Baltimore County Assoc of Senior Cit. Orgs. (410) 484-6866
Brenda Shoenig Baltimore County Dept Of Aging (410) 887-2059 bshoenig@baltimorecountymd.gov
Lynn McCamie Baltimore County Dept Of Aging (410) 887-2002 lmccamie@baltimorecountymd.gov
Linda Cromwell Being There Senior Care LLC (410) 971-8999 linda@beingthereseniorcare.com
Debbie Hill BrightStar of Baltimore City County (443) 275-2796 deborah.hill@brightstarcare.com
Lynn Berberich BrightStar of Baltimore City County (443) 275-2796 l.berberich@brightstarcare.com
Alan Lemay Brightview Assisted Living of White Marsh (410) 668-1588 alemay@bvsl.net
Judy Armstrong Brightview Mays Chapel Ridge (410) 628-2100 jarmstrong@mayschapelridge.com
Diana Brown Broadmead (443) 578-8023 dbrown@broadmead.org
Tracy Carpenter Burgee-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home (410) 889-3735 tracey.carpenter@sci-us.com
Robin Rich Catholic Charities Caritas House (410) 646-6544 rrich@catholiccharities-md.org
Pat France Centrol Inc (410) 828-5564 patfrance@centrol-inc.com
Janet Jones Chesapeake Medical Staffing (410) 321-4267 jjones@cms24-7.com
Robin Dulaney Chesapeake Medical Staffing 410-321-4267 x112 rdulaney@cms24-7.com
Emma Barnes ComForCare of Randallstown (410) 922-6221 nwbaltimoreco@comforcare.com
Jenette Young ComForCare of Randallstown (410) 922-6262 jyoung@comforcare.com
Bruce Goodman Community Home Health Of MD (410) 356-1600 bgoodman@msa-corp.com
Beth Slepian Ferretto Eldercare Consulting Inc (410) 591-7072 beth@ferrettoeldercare.com
Mary Faith Ferretto Ferretto Eldercare Consulting Inc (410) 661-6720 MARYFAITH@FERRETTOELDERCARE.COM
Kim High Focus on Function (410) 484-2761 khigh@foftherapyservices.com
Fran Glushakow Franny’s Angels (443) 691-0133 frannysangels@gmail.com
Yolanda Pitts Gilchrist Hospice Care (443) 849-8208 ypitts@gilchristhospice.org
Barbara Snyder Guide To Retirement Living (410) 581-6873 barbara@proaging.com
Hilla Keren Healing with Hilla (410) 456-3800 hkeren@comcast.net
Joseph DePetris Home Instead Baltimore County (410) 337-8910 hisc131@comcast.net
Melinda Jabbie Home Instead Senior Care (301) 588-9710 mjabbie@caregivingforseniors.com
Bonnie Ledford Home With You Companion Care (410) 926-9229 bledford@homewithyou.net
Mary Helen Dennis InfoDoc (410) 375-7903 mhdennis@infodocinc.com
Lisa Shifren Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore (410) 542-4900 lshifren@jcc.org
Judith Gregory Judith A. Gregory (410) 979-1057 thejudygregory@comcast.net
Audrey Besmanoff Kanine Kookies (410) 992-5254 audreylee3@verizon.net
Constance Johnson Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital (410) 601-2374 cojohnso@lifebridgehealth.org
Candace Blosser LifeCare Advisors (443) 420-4096 cblosser@lifecarelegal.com
Janice MacGregor Maryland State Office On Aging (410) 767-1087 jlm@ooa.state.md.us
Gregory Fenlon mychoice (888) 705-5077 gmfenlon@verizon.net
Hilbert Byers III Neighborcare Home Care (800) 272-4463 x7743 hilbert.byers@omnicare.com
Jessica Umstead Paradise Assisted Living Inc (443) 742-8100 paradise.marketingdirector@gmail.com
Fred Winer Parting With Possessions (410) 337-0085 fred@pwpusa.com
Maureen Winter Parting With Possessions (410) 337-0085 maureen@pwpusa.com
Anne Myers PARTNERS IN CARE (410) 544-4800 annemyers@partnersincare.org
Marie Olo Progressive Rehab Services (443) 844-8842 marie@progressiverehabs.com
Rachel Bernas Progressive Rehab Services (410) 356-6161 rachel@progressiverehabs.com
Linda Tice Psa Financial Center (443) 798-7419 linda@psafinancial.com
Regina Curran Regina Curran (410) 661-1988 reginamcurranma@verizon.net
Jill Rosner Rosner Healthcare Consulting (410) 591-6378 jillrosnerrn@aol.com
Susan Newhouse Senior Solutions LLC (410) 235-3171 snewhouse@seniorsolutions-baltimore.com
Lisa Berlin Taking Care of Business (410) 730-6062 lisa@tcbinc.us
Ellen Platt The Option Group (410) 667-0266 eplatt@theoptiongroup.net
Dave Pyser Visiting Angels (410) 218-9506 visitingangelshomecare@comcast.net
Racheal Dove We Care Private Duty Services Inc (410) 602-3993 rdove@wecarepds.com
Elizabeth Ghazarian Wellaware Systems (804) 249-2128 eghazarian@wellawaresystems.com
Anne Perry Westminster House Apartments (410) 837-0180 aperry@westminsterhouseapts.org
Sue Millard Yerman, Witman, Gaines, Conklin Realty (410) 493-1001 smillard@ywgcrealty.com
Tina Thompson Yerman, Witman, Gaines, Conklin Realty (410) 583-0400 tthompson@ywgcrealty.com

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

Exceptional Students to Exceptional Retirement Living Residents

Lauren Searson — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:36:34 +0000

Edna Murray was the valedictorian of her high school in Roanoke, Va. and a top female executive at her company. Father Manuel Roman has multiple advanced degrees with a background of academic studies that ranges from medicine to psychology and counseling. Now, these two exceptional individuals are part of a class of interesting residents who call the 48-acre campus of Heartlands Senior Living Village in Ellicott City, Md. home.

Father Manuel Roman

Manuel Roman was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and came to Baltimore to be a doctor. Halfway through his premed studies at Johns Hopkins University, he started to question if it was the career path for him. He developed an interest in becoming a language professor, so he changed his major to French and minored in German. While in graduate school, he became further perplexed about his future when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve at Ft. Meade.

At a crossroads between a career in medicine, teaching or the military, he went to see his pastor, who actually later became the Archbishop of Baltimore. When Manuel presented his problem, his pastor asked if he had thought about becoming a priest.

“When I said no, he said add that to the list,” Manuel said with a laugh. He then instructed Manuel to interview a physician, military officer, professor and priest having each explain the pros and cons of their careers. He also instructed him to pray over it to get the answer. Then in January 1950, Manuel came across a publication titled “Questions About Vocations.”

“I read it in one reading and when I finished I wanted to be a parish priest,” he said. This started him on a rewarding path of advanced degrees and assignments in a variety of parishes and schools. His favorite assignment was spending his last 20 years as a pastor at Ascension Catholic Church of Halethorpe. “I loved the challenges that we had there,” he said.

Manuel retired at age 80 and moved to an apartment in Catonsville. When he started having problems with arthritis, he began searching for assisted living options, but found his choices limited by the fact that he was insulin-dependent. Fortunately someone recommended Heartlands Senior Living Village, which provides independent and assisted living as well as rehabilitation services. “When I called here they said, ‘We will take you insulin and all!’” said Manuel.

After living in the Heartlands for over three years he said, “I don’t think I could find a better place than this one, I am not saying this because somebody’s telling me to; I’m saying it from my heart.” He cited the friendly and supportive staff as well as the vast amount of activities and recreational offerings as some of his favorite aspects of the community.

In addition, he thoroughly enjoys the food at Heartlands. He said, “If you don’t like what’s on the regular menu, they have an alternate menu. If you don’t like what’s on the alternate menu, they will do everything they can to please you. This is one excellent feature here that many other places don’t have.”

Edna Murray

The youngest of eight children, Edna was actually the first in her family to graduate from high school. “I graduated at the height of the Depression; the rest of my siblings had to go to work,” she said. After deferring an offer to attend Duke University, she started working at the C & P Telephone Company the day after she graduated.

There, she said she met a young man on loan from the Maryland office, and within six months they were married. “We had a delightful marriage for 61 years,” she said.

In that time, she continued working for C&P and moved to Hampstead, Md., the small country town where her husband was born and raised. They had one child, whom Edna quipped, they “spoiled rotten.” Their family grew over the years with two granddaughters and four great grandchildren.

Edna said she enjoyed every minute of her career at C&P, earning her college degree and becoming one of the first women to rise to the executive level in her company. When she and her husband retired at age 55, they bought a condo in Florida to spend part of the year. Her husband was an avid golfer and they belonged to clubs in both states.

In 1992, the couple was among the first residents to move to Heartlands, which was a brand new independent living retirement community. With Edna’s husband recuperating from a bout with cancer, they figured it would be a smart move and after researching the community, they settled on a cottage with a den and screened-in porch. After her husband fully recovered, they moved back to Hampstead. They agreed, however, if one of them passed away the surviving spouse would return to Heartlands.

When this became a reality for Edna, she lived alone for eight years, but decided it was best to move back to Heartlands. Amazed at how much the community had expanded, she moved into an independent living apartment.

“It’s just a place that has touched me as home,” she said. The homelike atmosphere has meant a great deal to Edna who has since moved to an assisted living apartment due to the progression of vision and health problems.

“That is one of the best features about Heartlands,” says Beth Sanchez, director of Marketing. “We have been part of the Ellicott City culture for over 24 years, and we are ‘home’ to over 250 residents. Our residents and their families enjoy-and rely on-the warmth and care that surround them here. We are proud and honored to serve the seniors in our community.”

And Edna has learned how that warmth and care extends to all facets of the community. Since she now has to pay close attention to her diet due to a pancreas problem, she, like Manuel, enjoys the fact that she has three meals a day and the companionship of her friends at meals.

As a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Maryland Federation of Women’s Clubs for six decades, Edna also enjoys the vibrant atmosphere she has found at the Heartlands. With a passion for hobbies, she has access to a range of amenities including the community center that hosts a variety of social functions along with a full-service library and indoor heated pool and spa. She even maintains her outside relationships, particularly assisting her 97-year-old friend who lives in a nearby nursing home.

For others considering a move, Edna offered some sage advice. “I think living at Heartlands is the way to go. When you get here, it’s about how you are going to live your life. There has never been a day I had any sorrow for coming here.”

And coming from either of these individuals, with not only their impressive educational backgrounds, but the choices they made to find a home that has met their individualized needs, these are certainly words of wisdom.

Senior Care: Fall Prevention and Acute Rehabilition

Lauren Searson — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:36:11 +0000

On February 3rd over 100 senior-serving professionals gathered for networking and a great lunch at the newest acute rehabilitation center in the DC Metro area, HealthSouth of Northern Virginia.

Featured speakers include Medical Director Dominique L. Vinh, MD, Associate Medical Director Dr. Zuggo-Liszka from HealthSouth of Northern Virginia. In addition Tony Scheaffer of the Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition discussed the organizations exciting new developments and opportunities.

Videos of the ProAging Meeting

Please view the following videos that were graciously shot, edited and produced by Abby Sternberg. To have Abby consult with you on your video needs visit http://www.mediamasters.tv/

Fall Prevention and Rehab Solutions ProAging Program at HealthSouth from Abby Sternberg on Vimeo.

ProAging Presents Tony Schaffer:NO VA Fall Prevention Coalition from Abby Sternberg on Vimeo.

Attendee List from the ProAging Meeting

Below is a list of attendees to help you continue networking and making connections.

1st American Home Health Services Serkalem Fisseha (703) 922-9555 serkalem@1stamericanhomehealth.com
AAA Warman Home Care LLC Hope Joyce (301) 428-2940 HJoyce@warmanhomecare.com
Adult Companion Care Inc Jim Lindsay (703) 549-7894 jl@adultcompanioncare.com
Advance Home Health Care, LLC Katie Farmer (703) 421-2273 katie@advancehhc.com
Advanced Care Management Melissa Morris RN (703) 706-9595 MELISSAACMHOMECARE@GMAIL.COM
AFrame Digital Kelly Besecker (703) 203-1705 kelly@aframedigital.com
Als Association Ellen Cochrane (301) 978-0855 ecochrane@alsinfo.org
Always Best Care Janet Beard, LPN (703) 463-9462 jbeard@abc-seniors.com
Always Best Care Scott Maguire (703) 463-9462 smaguire@abc-seniors.com
Angels Touch Health Care Services LLC Joana Appiah (571) 285-5907
Arden Courts Katherine Owens (703) 383-0060 369-mktg@hcr-manorcare.com
Ashby Ponds Rob Longo (571) 291-6051 ronald.longo@erickson.com
Ashby Ponds Tricia Devlin (571) 291-6051 tricia.devlin@erickson.com
Aynsley Group Ltd Nancy Fiedelman (703) 893-8989 nef@aynsley.com
BestCare Home Care Inc. Sebastian Graham (703) 583-4663 graham@bestcarehomecare.com
Bg Healthcare Services Inc Tim Brown (703) 533-0311 tbrown@bghealthservices.com
Birmingham Green Judy Brady (703) 257-6242 jbrady@birminghamgreen.org
Buckleys For Seniors Patricia Barnett (703) 537-6973 patricia.barnett@buckleys4seniors.com
Capital Health Solutions Alan Dubow (703) 229-0690 dubow@usa.net
Capital Home Health Care Inc Wanda Brown (703) 517-1945 wbrown@chhconline.com
Capital Hospice Melissa Wertz (703) 777-7866 mwertz@capitalhospice.org
CareOptions Jessica DiPillo (703) 237-9048 jdipillio@careoptionsva.com
CareOptions Paul Stolzenbach (703) 237-9048 pstolzenbach@careoptionsva.com
Central Senior Center Heisumg Lee (703) 517-0283 kdlhjl@gmail.com
Chesterbrook Residences Kelly Halteh (703) 531-0781 khalteh@cri-va.org
Choice Connections Dan Gardiner (703) 476-0503 dan.gardiner@choiceconnections.com
Coldwell Banker Brent Derobertis (703) 471-7220 bderobertis@cbmove.com
Colvin Woods Deloris Cauley info@colvinwoods.com
Comfort Keepers Toni Reinhart (703) 435-2500 Reston@comfortkeepers.com
doctokr Beth McNamara (703) 938-4604 beth.mcnamara@doctokr.com
Dynamic Home Health Care Tina Marie Lester (703) 263-9192 tina.dynamic@gmail.com
ElderCare Options Candee Percherke (703) 889-7358 leesburg@optionscorp.com
ElderCare Strategies Jean Unger (703) 389-1096 jeanunger1@verizon.net
ElderCare Strategies Kristen Murphy, M.S.G (703) 723-3737 kristennoel20@earthlink.net
ElderCare Strategies Sally Gehl (703) 723-3737 scgehl@comcast.net
ElderLink Jennifer Edge (703) 324-7210 jennifer.edge@fairfaxcounty.gov
Eldertree LLC Kate Caldwell (703) 220-8846 kate@eldertreecare.com
Eldertree LLC Sarah Benson (703) 424-7575 sarah@ElderTreecare.com
Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm Allyson Jones (703) 243-3200 amj@lifecareplanning.com
Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm sherry brim (703) 243-3200 slb@lifecareplanning.com
Evercare Hospice Cheri Reid (571) 262-5200 cheri_reid@uhc.com
Fairfax County Health Department Terri Morris (703) 246-8631 terri.morris@fairfaxcounty.gov
Falcons Landing Yvonne Cullen (703) 404-5303 ycullen@westfallscenter.org
Five Star Home Health Johnny Wilkinson (703) 273-0555
Flamingos In Training Sonia Gow (703) 378-7221 sonia@soniagow.com
Gainesville Health & Rehab Center Michael Formando (571) 248-6100 mformando@gainesville-rehab.com
Great Falls Assisted Living Sandra Fields (703) 421-0690 sfields@greatfallsassistedliving.com
Grossman and Assoc, PLC Warren Grossman (703) 443-2300 wwgrossman@aol.com
Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook Marlene Zaborsky (703) 992-1118 marlene@proaging.com
Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook Steve Gurney (703) 992-1118 sgurney@gwpi.net
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Virginia Janet Smith (703) 957-2062 janet.smith@healthsouth.com
Heartland Home Care & Hospice Leah Daily (703) 273-8693
Home Instead Senior Care Lee Anne Philbin (703) 464-1268 leeanne.philbin@homeinstead.com
Home Instead Senior Care Stanley Dubiel (703) 533-7368 Stanley.Dubiel@homeinstead.com
Homewatch CareGivers of FC Donald Kissinger (703) 992-7420 DKissinger@HomewatchCareGivers.com
Homewell Senior Care Marc Leiberman (703) 662-5700
James Lee Senior Center Greg Williams (703) 534-3387 gregory.williamsjr@fairfaxcounty.gov
Law Office of Betsy Sue Scott Betsy Sue Scott (703) 871-5070 betsysuescott@bsscottlaw.com
LinkedSenior Terry Gross (703) 657-2950 tgross@linkedsenior.com
Long & Foster Dolores McDonald (703) 928-1537 dolores.mcdonald@longandfoster.com
Loudoun Cnty VA Comm on Aging Kathryn Van Curen 703-777-0259 kathryn.vancuren@loudoun.gov
ManorCare Health Services Nadiha Chaudri 703-379-7200 ext 1221 527admiss@hcr-manorcare.com
Media Masters Abby Sternberg (703) 503-5924 abby@mediamasters.tv
Medical Pros On-Call Marjorie Johnson (703) 273-8818 jane@medprosoncall.com
Medical Team Antonella da Camara (703) 390-2300 adacamara@medteam.com
Medical Team Bobbie Beharrie, RN, BC (703) 390-2300 bbeharrie@medteam.com
Medical Team lynette jacob (703) 390-2300 ljacob@medteam.com
Medical Team Mary Ellen Knecht (703) 390-2300 meknecht@medteam.com
MITS Corporation Steve Chandler (540) 932-7620 steve_mits@ntelos.net
Monroe House Travis Grainger (703) 896-9590 MonroeHouse-ED@emeritus.com
Morningside House Maureen Clarke (703) 669-1804
Morningside House Of Leesburg Andrea Brown (703) 777-2777 abrown@morningsidehouse.com
Mount Vernon Nursing & Rehab Eileen Spinella (703) 360-4000 Eileen@mvnrc.net
My Concierge Diana Dick (202) 885-9228 diana@myconciergeplace.com
Northern VA Fall Prevention Coalition Becky Schaffer (703) 475-3044 membership@nvfpc.org
Nursing Referral Service Of Nova Inc Bathsheba Huggins-El (703) 442-0229 bhugginsel@nrscares.com
Nursing Referral Service Of Nova Inc Joann Lunsford (703) 442-0229 jlunsford@nrsCARES.com
Oasis Home Healthcare Monika Virk (703) 858-9282 info@oasishhi.com
Old Dominion Home Care Alexandra Woodman Johnson (703) 273-0422 ajohnson@olddominionhomecare.com
Pegasus Financial Group Gail Fialkow 703-956-6662 gfialkow@pegasusfg.com
Pegasus Financial Group Stephen Moss 703-956-6662 smoss@pegasusfg.com
Right At Home Rachelle Conde (571) 379-8211 rachelle@rah-va.com
Ryan-Corcoran, LLC Linda St Pierre (703) 850-2604 healthcarerenovation@gmail.com
Schaffer Construction Designs Becky Schaffer (703) 443-1861 info@schafferconstruction.com
Schaffer Construction Designs Tony Schaeffer (703) 443-1861 info@schafferconstruction.com
Sommerset Retirement Community Pam Navari (703) 450-6411 pnavari_src@yahoo.com
Sudley Manor House Ashley Pieper (703) 392-9797 apieper@sudleymanorhouse.com
Sudley Manor House Tracy Smith (703) 392-9797 tsmith@sudleymanorhouse.com
Sunrise Assisted Living at Fair Oaks Valerie Parker (703) 264-0506 fairoaks.dcr@sunriseseniorliving.com
Sunrise Of Falls Church George Winters (703) 534-2700 george.winters@sunriseseniorliving.com
Sunrise of Leesburg Maria Franklin (703) 777-1971 leesburg.ed@sunriseseniorliving.com
Synergy HomeCare Jeffery Soforenko 703-349-0846 Jeffrey@synergyoffairfax.com
Tall Oaks At Reston Mia McNaughton (703) 834-9800 mmcnaughton@talloaksatreston.com
Thrive at Home Julie Black (703) 383-9300 jblack@thriveathome.com
Thrive at Home Marie Woodward (703) 383-9300 mwoodward@thriveathome.com
Touching Hearts At Home Cliff Glier (703) 880-2547 cliff@touchingheartsva.com
Touching Hearts At Home Jaime Centrone (703) 880-2547 jaime@touchingheartsva.com
Treatment Diaries Amy Ohm (703) 727-2521 amy@treatmentdiaries.com
Vinson Hall Corporation Gretchen Kemp (703) 506-6900 gretchenk@vinsonhall.org
Virginia Healthcare Services Judy Leuthold (703) 333-5288 jleuthold@va-hcs.com
Virginia Healthcare Services Kelly Arthur (540) 479-8333 karthur@va-hcs.com
Virginia Hospital Center Cathy Turner (703) 558-5903 cturner@virginiahospitalcenter.com
Visiting Angels Tim Moore (571) 258-0111 timmoore@responselink.com
Weichert Realtors Helen Flynn (703) 328-7187 helen@theflynnteam.com
Wesley Housing Development Coppermine lisa williams (703) 642-3830 lwilliams@whdc.org

We are very excited to be partnering with the Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition on their membership directory which will also be included in the next edition of Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook!I have attached a membership form and information on advertising — don’t miss this opportunity!Please contact Marlene Zaborsky with questions or comments at 703-992-1102 or marlene@proaging.com

Next Meetings and GenSilent Screenings

Make sure you mark your calendars for the upcoming ProAging meetings which will cover two important issues

RSVP Required to these events, please email rsvp@proaging.com or call Marlene at 703-992-1102.

ProAging @ Vinson Hall – Social Work Month Celebration – Hospital Case Management

Date: Wednesday March 23, 2011

Time: Noon – 2

Location: Vinson Hall

6251 Old Dominion Dr

McLean, VA 22101

Description: Don’t miss one of the best networking and education events of the year! Opportunity to celebrate the great work that social workers do in helping elders and families.

This year we bring back one of our most popular and compelling programs to Vinson Hall!Hear first-hand accounts about what goes on in the regions Hospital Case Management Departments. This presentation will equip professionals with information to better guide your clients through the transition to and from the hospital. In addition, it will help you better understand the environment to communicate your offerings to case management offices.

ProAging @ The Fairfax – The Village Concept in the DC Area

Date: Friday May 13, 2011

Time: Noon – 2

Location: The Fairfax

9140 Belvoir Woods Pkwy

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Description: Join other senior-serving professionals for one of the best networking events of the year. The Fairfax has a great venue and excellent food service.

This event is produced in partnership with the Washington Area Villages (WAV).Dont miss the opportunity to learn about the “Village Concept” and learn about the communities in DC, VA and MD that are on the forefront of this important movement.As a professional serving seniors and families this event will enable you to discuss this option with those you are serving and give you important information on where villages are in operation and development in our region.

GenSilent Screenings and Discussion — Gay Elders Go Back in the Closet

Gen Silent is the new documentary film from award-winning director and filmmaker Stu Maddux that puts a face on what experts call an epidemic: gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender seniors so afraid of discrimination in long-term/health care or bullying by other seniors that many go back into the closet.

Please join us for a screening of the 1 hour documentary followed by a discussion.

Date: Thursday February 24, 2011

Time: 3 pm – 5 pm

Location: Methodist Home of DC

4901 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington , DC 20008

Date: Tuesday March 08, 2011

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: The Fountains at Washington House

5100 Fillmore Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22311

RSVP Required to these events, please email rsvp@proaging.com or call Marlene at 703-992-1102.

A Caring Environment in Assisted Living Community

Lauren Searson — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:57:05 +0000

“I never had a car and I never learned to drive,” Thelma Aronin says with a smile. Not that she needs it as a resident of over eight years at Morningside House in Ellicott City, Md. The grandmother of five not only has access to several activities and services, including transportation, but she enjoys the community’s convenient location only five minutes from her daughter Bobbie Bjorklund’s home.

Born in St. Louis, Mo., Thelma worked as a salesperson until WWII broke out. It was then she decided to take an examination in order to qualify for work with the federal government and, as a result, she came to Washington, D.C.

She recounts eating lunch one day with several of her coworkers when one mentioned that she “had a wonderful brother.” Eventually her coworker introduced her brother, David Aronin, to Thelma just as he was getting ready to go overseas with the Navy. After the war, the couple married.

Thelma speaks fondly of their first home in Washington, D.C. and the fact that it only cost $8,500. The couple proceeded to raise their two children in the District, but eventually the family moved to Langley Park, Md. when the children were school aged. They lived in their Maryland home for many years until the children were grown and moved out.

As empty nesters, the couple decided it was time for a change. They moved to Leisure World in Silver Spring, Md., where they lived in a two-bedroom apartment for 22 years. Thelma says, “There were all kinds of activities and restaurants; it was a good place to live.”
In 2002, David passed away and their home became difficult for Thelma to maintain. “The apartment was just too much for me,” she says. She decided it was time to find a different option that would better suit her lifestyle and needs.

With the help of her daughter, Bobbie, Thelma narrowed her options and ultimately selected Morningside House. The independent and assisted living community would allow her to be closer to Bobbie, who would often make the near-hour drive to visit her mother at Leisure World. It would also offer Thelma a maintenance-free lifestyle with its housekeeping, linen and laundry services in addition to the sense of security both women felt with the community’s 24-hour emergency call system.

Among the many other amenities residents have the luxury of are spacious floor plans, daytrips, live music and entertainment, computer centers, a full-service beauty/barber salon and a concierge service.

Although the search for housing options can seem daunting, Bobbie advises others helping a parent find a community to “do your research and visit different communities.” She recommends that families bring an “additional set of eyes” to look at the different choices and to come prepared with questions.

And based on her mother’s experiences since making the move, it is very evident to Bobbie that her efforts have certainly paid off. Thelma has enjoyed participating in the vast amount of activities the community offers, most notably the lectures and the meetings. She particularly enjoys the weekly discussions about current events. “If you like to take part in things, this is the place to live,” she says. In addition, she loves going on the weekly shopping trips and the overall convenience of having transportation provided by Morningside House.

Thelma also enjoys the food at Morningside House and is very appreciative of the fact that the staff is able to accommodate her diet under her doctor’s orders. She states, “During the day you can eat as much as you want and ask for more. They are very generous here.”

This support from the staff extends beyond Thelma and her peers since making connections to the outside community is a priority for Morningside House. The community participates along with their seven sister communities in an innovative program titled C.A.R.E, which is designed to provide outreach and support to local causes. Each month, a portion of the community’s profit is donated to assist an organization or individual in need.

“In 2009, Morningside House Assisted Living decided the best way to help the community during these difficult economic times is to give back,” said Kelly Mason, President and CEO of Morningside. “Local families and organizations are vital to the overall economic health of our communities and we are happy to help out in any way we can. That is why we created the C.A.R.E Project. We know how important the community is to our seniors and their families. I hope that our donations will inspire others to do so as well and help a local family in need.”

Within the community, Thelma is currently involved in a physical therapy program after breaking a bone in her hip. Providing individualized care, her therapists are able to visit her right in her apartment and engage her in exercises throughout the community.

This treatment is actually part of a new “comprehensive medical model of care” program at Morningside House. The program is administered by Dr. Salazar, who is a Board-certified geriatrician and the Medical Director at the community’s Ellicott City branch.

The program includes 24-hour on-site nursing; Geriatrician-approved resident care plans; in-house coordinated care and case management services; onsite physical, occupational and speech therapies; and an electronic medication management system. There are also weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and staff training that far exceeds State regulations.

It is these elements that make the comprehensive care model so beneficial. In addition to Thelma, the program has impacted many of the residents’ lives already by reducing their amount of hospitalizations and improving their overall quality of life.

“It’s very convenient,” says Bobbie, who has been very impressed with not only the medical services team, but everything the community as a whole has offered her mother.