Isaac 'Ike' Diamond has been enjoying an amenity-filled lifestyle at Classic Residence

If there is one thing residents at Classic Residence in Chevy Chase, a Vi Community, are not doing, it is sitting still. At Classic Residence, an older adult rental community, vibrant lifestyles flourish, especially in Dick Swartz’s art class. Here, several individuals with varying art backgrounds gather to create different works and form lasting friendships. “This is the best group; they’re so engaged and excited,” said Dick. “Everyone here is doing something different.”

A professional artist, who has led art classes at Classic Residence since 1999, Dick takes pride in sharing his techniques with his class. From designing murals to composing clay sculptures and oil paintings he watches as his students not only benefit from exploring their artistic abilities, but also their growing camaraderie. In fact, during his time teaching he has seen a pair of classmates fall in love, one of whom had Parkinson’s disease, yet continued to create beautiful pieces. “I think there’s healing in art, not only is it good for the brain but for all kinds of things,” he said. “The result is not so much important as they come together to paint and share.”

Among those individuals who regularly come together are Margaret Smith, Phyllis Slesinger and Isaac ‘Ike’ Diamond, each of whom has been enjoying an amenity-filled lifestyle at Classic Residence.

A Salt Lake City native, Margaret Smith graduated from the University of Utah, and went on to Northwestern University for graduate work. While at Northwestern she met a professor whom she later married. After moving around New England for about ten years, her family eventually settled in Michigan.

Following her husband’s passing, Margaret lived alone until her children convinced her to move to an apartment in the Washington, D.C. area. She soon realized, however, that she wanted a home that would coincide with her lifestyle and needs.

With scenic views and decor resembling that of a traditional Georgetown mansion, Classic Residence seemed the perfect fit. Margaret can remain independent having peace of mind that if assisted living services are needed, they are available right in the building. “I looked at the different retirement communities, and this was far superior to anything I had seen,” she said. “It’s a very good place.”

Margaret had no problem adjusting to life at the community as she immediately sought opportunities to get involved. Always having an interest in art, but never having the time to fully pursue it, she was intrigued to find a class among the extensive list of available activities. “I joined the art class four years ago. Dick is such a good instructor that I knew immediately I wanted to continue,” she said. Margaret has served on the Residents’ Council and was appointed Chairman of the Welcoming Committee, an organization she highly credits for helping residents assimilate in the community. “There are so many activities and I encourage new residents to join some, just to sample them if nothing else,” she said. “My mother’s saying was ‘Do something new every year’ and I think I have.”

Many of her peers are taking her advice as Dick’s class has expanded tremendously. This, however, comes as no surprise to Phyllis Slesinger. “He is the best teacher I’ve ever had; he encourages you and has really brought out a lot of things I didn’t know I could do,” she said.

Phyllis was born, raised and married in Buffalo, NY. When her husband passed away, she moved to Florida for 26 years and traveled with her sister. “We went all over on cruises and trips to Europe and have wonderful memories,” she said. With her sister’s passing, Phyllis was encouraged by her son to move near him in Chevy Chase. “It was a difficult decision because I like my independence, but I’ve been very happy here because I’ve been kept so busy,” she said.

Phyllis continues her longtime hobbies of needlework and gardening. She had previously painted, but continues to be amazed at her achievements in the art class. Like Margaret, she participates in other activities at Classic Residence, which includes

volunteering to arrange flowers every Wednesday. “You have to learn to join in. If you just sit in your apartment, you’re not going to enjoy it,” she said. “If you get out, you meet all these different people, and everybody here is so friendly and incredible.” For Phyllis, this extends from the accommodating staff at the community to the unique residents she interacts with daily.

This is something Ike Diamond certainly agreed with, saying, “A lot of the people here are ex-college professors, doctors, physicists and just very interesting people to have dinner with and discuss your backgrounds.” Raised in New York, Ike went

to Brooklyn College, but decided to move to Washington, D.C. in 1941 to work for a newspaper. A month after getting married, he went into the Navy. “It was an education for me and I saw quite a bit of action,” he said. Upon his return to the District, he finished his education at George Washington University and worked in the advertising industry for 50 years before retiring with his wife to Florida.

While visiting their daughter, the couple drove past Classic Residence and decided to take a tour. Extremely pleased with the community, Ike’s wife expressed how ideal it would be to return to their hometown and enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle in a supportive environment. Unfortunately shortly after their visit, she became ill and passed away, but Ike eventually decided to follow through with their plans and moved to the community. “They make a pretty good ef

fort to get you acclimated quickly here,” he said. “It’s been very comforting to me and I’m glad I made the decision.”

Ike has served on the Building and Grounds Committee working with building managers and engineers to assist in the upkeep of the community. This is just one of the many ways residents work with the staff in all aspects of life at Classic Residence. “We’ve been complimented on how well we’re surveying the necessities of a lifestyle we’d all like to have,” he said. Ike was also elected to the Residents’ Council and is part of the Food and Dining Committee. Feeling he had some talent that he never exercised, he decided to join the art class. “Sure enough, Dick gave me some very fundamental things to do and kept moving me up,” he said. “In one year, I became an artist.”

The community continually supports the residents by providing transportation for visits t

o sites featuring Dick’s murals. Other daytrips take advantage of the numerous cultural opportunities in the Washington, D.C. areas.

Whether it is in the Art Studio, Billiard Room, Indoor Pool and Fitness Center or along the outdoor

walking paths, individuals at the community enjoy abundant activities and numerous opportunities for socialization. And just as Dick’s students credit him for bringing out the best in them, the residents of Classic Residence in Chevy Chase can certainly say they have found a community that does the same.

To whom do I owe this welcomed addition to my vocabulary? Andrew Blechman, the author of “Leisureville.”

Blechman tells the story of how his beloved neighbors made the decision to leave his New England neighborhood for the largest retirement community in the nation, The Villages in Central Florida. His neighbors spoke so highly of this community and their decision to leave that it piqued his interest to experience it firsthand.

In “Leisureville,” Blechman introduces you to a wide variety of individuals that have made The Villages their home. Throughout the book, he explores why they made the decision to move and how they feel their life in The Villages is better, worse or challenging. Most importantly though, he challenges the notion that a community should legally be allowed to segregate by age.

I have read countless books written by “aging experts” in my 20-year career. As I reflect on it, “Leisureville” has probably had more impact than any of them. I think this is due to the fact that Blechman approached this book from the simple perspective of someone who was curious about why his neighbor was moving. His objective approach and lack of a previous connection to “aging services” allowed him to be critical of the concept of gated retirement communities which essentially promote the concept of age segregation.

“Leisureville” explores age segregation primarily in housing and community development. Since reading this book nearly a year ago, I have become much more aware that this segregation is widespread in all aspects of our society, and that there is a wall between the generations that is getting dangerously higher. In many ways I have been an integral part of building this wall. I credit Blechman with helping me to see my “industry” through a different lens, and for having the courage to challenge aspects of this business that might be acceptable but don’t make sense.

“Leisureville” is an entertaining book with lots of interesting characters, most notably the “Viagra munching Mr. Midnight!”

Order the book at: http://astore.amazon.com/guidtoretiliv-20/detail/0802144187

Even during retirement, he continued to work part-time for a medical transcription firm. Ann worked as a registered nurse and in the administration of nursing homes for 20 years. She also has been teaching art fort the Montgomery County Recreation Department for the last 20 years. The couple has six children and ten grandchildren, and they enjoy attending sporting events and traveling together.

In September of 2001, the couple traveled to New England and Canada. After they returned home, Richard complained about a pain under his ribs. He visited his family Doctor, who sent him for further testing at the Washington Hospital Center. Richard was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given the option to undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment, but there was no promise of a cure. Not wanting to undergo the painful treatments, Richard requested to be transferred to Casey House, a Hospice facility operated by Montgomery County Hospice.

The Hospice facility was able to help the family and Richard during this difficult time. According to Ann, Richard spoke of his last eight days as, “one of the best weeks of my life.” Their children, grandchildren, family, and friends were all afforded the opportunity to spend time with Richard, and the caring staff was always present to attend to his needs. The pain management that they offered allowed Richard to fully enjoy his final days because, as Ann relates, “He was out of pain and happy.”

The entire family is now thankful for the services they received from the thoughtful staff at Casey House: “We can’t say enough good things about the caring and compassionate staff and volunteers at the Casey House. We would all want the same for ourselves. We have put a Stone in his memory in their path, and we named our new Standard Poodle ‘Casey.’” The memory of Richard and of the conscientious hospice care he received continues to live on in the hearts of his wife and family.