Robert Maroncelli has been able to remain in his home with the help of live-in care from Visiting Angels.

Bob and his wife, “Mickey,” moved to their home in Buckingham Springs retirement community several decades ago after they retired. An accountant, who worked most of his career for the Internal Revenue Service, Bob continued to be active in his community and his church. However, as the years passed, several health problems started to cause mobility issues. As Bob became less mobile, his wife began acting as his primary caregiver.

When Mickey was admitted to the hospital because of worsening heart disease, Ann and her sister quickly realized that their father was going to need some additional help. “I knew of Visiting Angels already, and knew the woman across the street was using them,” Ann recalled. “I called around to a couple of home care agencies and Visiting Angels was the most accommodating and the easiest to work with.”

Visiting Angels began helping Bob periodically, whenever Mickey had to be hospitalized. The family was always satisfied with the care and companionship he received. When Mickey passed away, Ann turned to Visiting Angels once again. The agency found permanent, live-in assistance for Bob within several days.

“Tina moved in immediately, and my father has really taken to her,” Ann said. “She provides personal care and helps him with ambulating, and she also does some meal preparation and generally just makes sure he is well taken care of.”

Since Ann is busy with her own demanding career and her sister lives in Connecticut, the family feels incredibly fortunate to have a quality caregiver with Bob at all times. “There is an enormous sense of reassurance knowing that he is very well taken care of; that gives us a real peace of mind,” said Ann. With the assistance of Visiting Angels, Bob continues to live in his comfortable and spacious home, where he receives frequent visits from neighbors and friends from his church.

A widow for 22 years, Trudy had been living with her daughter when she took a fall in January of 2006. After entering the hospital and going in and out of Shock Trauma, Trudy was eventually able to return home, but it was clear she would need some extra assistance.

The rehab facility had given her daughter the name of two local home health care providers, from which she chose the company Visiting Angels. “She called them on Monday, and they were at our home on Wednesday with a caregiver,” said Trudy.

She has been receiving assistance from the agency, which serves Columbia, Westminster and the surrounding areas, since March 2006. As the years have passed, she has continued to recommend them to others considering home health care.

“We have a regular caregiver who is truly an angel,” said Trudy. “They have provided the best of in-home care possible.”

Elizabeth, Trudy’s caregiver since September 2009, has not only provided her with enjoyable companionship, but assists Trudy in activities of daily living. That care can include meal preparation, light housework, hygiene assistance and more. What Trudy and her family have especially appreciated is the flexibility they have found with Visiting Angels.

“They have been available on short notice,” she said. “They are always willing to accommodate our schedule when last minute changes occur.”

With this assistance, Trudy and her loved ones all have peace of mind knowing she receives the support and care she needs. Most importantly, she has found an agency and a caregiver that feel like family.

Though they share similar interests, it is no wonder Josephine and Ray have become great friends as caring individuals who have served others during their lives.

A registered nurse, Josephine utilized her certification in different areas. From working in the emergency room to industrial nursing, she truly enjoyed making a difference in people’s lives, and it is something she has carried with her to this day.

“Up until about two years ago, she continued to have annual reunions with her nursing school class,” said Ann Newman, Josephine’s daughter.

It was when her macular degeneration worsened that prompted her to seek a community with the help of her daughter.

“The day she called, I had gotten an ad in the mail for Arbour Square and I was impressed with the no down payment, month-to-month rental,” said Ann. “I then visited and was so impressed with the building and the wonderful people.”

For Ann, the amenities and services her mother would receive were a great deal compared to other communities that had large entrance fees. Site unseen, Josephine settled into her stylish apartment with a view in 2007 and could not be happier.

Along with group exercise programs at the community’s fitness center, she remains active attending music programs, and of course, playing pinochle every week with her best friend.

Originally from western Pennsylvania, Ray joined the Army and served in the Corps for over three years. When he returned from overseas, he worked 42 years for U.S. Steel and Fairless Steel Works.

After his wife of 60 years passed, one of their three sons suggested he downsize and make the transition to a community that could offer everything he needed.

“My son lived around here at the time and saw Arbour Square,” said Ray. “He told me about it, so we visited and that is when I decided to come here.”

Since his move two years ago, he has enjoyed a maintenance-free lifestyle with his fellow residents as several services including housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation are all provided at the community. This has allowed Ray more time for the numerous available activities as he takes bus trips to casinos and race tracks while showing off his Wii bowling skills.

“I had surgery, so I’m hoping to eventually get back into swimming and playing Golf too,” he said.

From the frequented indoor Main Street to energetic ‘Brain Teaser’ games there are plenty of opportunities for people to stay active. The numerous amenities and services, however, will only expand as staff and residents eagerly anticipate the opening of The Birches, Arbour Square’s Assisted Living Community. This will feature 44 assisted living apartments with an additional 25 in a secure memory care unit.

For Ann, this will be just one more perk for her mother and their new friend.

“This is truly a lovely place,” she said. “The décor is great, there are lots of activities for them, and the people here could not be any more helpful.”