As lifelong educators, Jack Armstrong and Barbara Share have created quite a few lesson plans. When the time came to explore retirement living options, they approached the task like true educators: with well-defined criteria, meticulous checklists and a willingness to adapt their plans.

Now residents of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., Jack and Barbara began searching for the perfect retirement lifestyle early – and considered locations from Maine to North Carolina. Ultimately, the two academics were swayed by the opportunity to return to a true campus and enjoy a college-like lifestyle.

Jack Armstrong and Barbara Share are lifelong educators who carefully reviewed
all their retirement living options before
moving to Westminster at Lake Ridge.

It was their mutual passion for education that initially brought Jack and Barbara together. Married for 30 years, the couple met while working on a curriculum-development project for the Council of Independent Colleges.

With experience as a college professor and an academic dean, Jack was leading the project. Barbara was serving on the team from the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. After teaching at both the elementary and high school levels for decades, Barbara had begun teaching college courses and was the director of the continuing education program at Mount Saint Joseph.

“While I was interacting with her as a part of that team, she quickly got my attention,” Jack recalled. The couple began a long-distance relationship, which continued for several years. By the time the project ended, Jack and Barbara had decided to get married.

When Jack was offered a job at a University of Maine satellite campus, the newly married couple moved to the eastern coast of Maine. “It was a great place to live, and a marvelous place to start our marriage,” he said. He served as the academic vice president and also taught at the university before retiring.

Both nature lovers, Jack and Barbara enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife in Maine. However, they grew weary of winters that began in October and ended in May. “We retired in Maine, but after a year or so, we started looking south,” Barbara said. “I have some hip issues, and I wanted to be able to get outside without being afraid of falling.”

Jack and Barbara started planning. They made a list of must-haves. They narrowed down their locations, and they hit the road. “We took several weeks and  explored a number of areas,” Barbara recalled.

After willingly breaking two of their own rules, the couple settled on a new home in a golf community south of Wilmington, North Carolina. “We promised ourselves that we weren’t going to buy anything on that trip, and that we would never build a house,” Barbara smiled as she recalled. “We broke a couple of our rules, but it was a good experience.”

Jack and Barbara lived in the community near Wilmington for 14 years and enjoyed their proximity to the beach. However, they began to think about the next phase of their lives and started planning for retirement once again.

“With our educational backgrounds, we tend to be list makers and planners,” Jack explained. “That’s just part of our personalities.”

A passion for education brought Jack and Barbara together. They met while working on a curriculum-development project more than 30 years ago.

The planning started when Jack’s parents moved to a CCRC – a decision that was extremely uncommon among their generation. “My parents moved into a CCRC in their early 70s, and they were glad they didn’t wait any longer,” said Jack.

Frequent visits to Jack’s parents convinced Jack and Barbara that they wanted the lifestyle and security offered by a CCRC. As they began to look for the perfect community, location became a major factor. While they were living most of the year in North Carolina, the couple continued to spend the summer months at Jack’s cabin in Maine.

“Every year, we were making this 1,400-mile drive, and we’d stop in Vienna, Va., and stay with my sister for a couple of days,” Barbara recalled. When Barbara’s daughter and her family moved from California to near Richmond, Va., the D.C. Metropolitan region started to look even more attractive. During one of their visits, the couple picked up a copy of Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook and began researching local retirement options and identifying potential communities.

When Jack and Barbara visited Westminster at Lake Ridge, they knew they had found their new home. “I was really tired of filling 80 bags full of leaves every year, and I saw these beautiful cottages, and I knew I was ready,” said Barbara.

In addition to the location and the amenities, Jack and Barbara were also thrilled with the sense of community they found at Westminster. “Having been part of an educational community all of our adult lives, the campus-like atmosphere that was offered here was very appealing,” Jack said.

After moving, both Barbara and Jack quickly became involved in an array of activities. “There really are more activities offered here than you could even begin to take in,” Barbara said. “There are educational things, fun things, movies, so many interesting things – just everything you can imagine.”

Having been part of an educational community all of their adult lives, the campus-like atmosphere of Westminster at Lake Ridge appealed to Jack and Barbara.

Barbara works in the gift shop, which donates its proceeds to community service projects, and serves on the library committee. She is also a member of a memoirs group and has recently started painting for the first time in her life.

A lifelong environmentalist, Jack has been spearheading some of the community’s efforts to become more environmentally conscious while decreasing operating costs. Currently, he is working on a project to get residents to switch out all their regular light bulbs for newer, more energy efficient bulbs.

The couple also enjoys walking on the community’s nature trails and observing the many species of birds that call the community home. “It’s so beautiful here,” Barbara said. “I saw four Herons down by the lower pond just this morning.”

Beyond the wide range of activities, Barbara and Jack have enjoyed meeting so many fascinating new people and making new friends. “As soon as we moved in, we were embraced by everyone. They took us right in, and we had friends from the get-go,” Barbara recalled.

To individuals who fear moving to a retirement community, Jack and Barbara suggest considering everything they have to gain. “People don’t realize that moving to a community like Westminster will not mean losing their support network,” Jack said. “In fact, they’re going to increase their support system; they will have plenty of camaraderie, plenty of interaction and so many more friendships.”

After planning a couple of retirements, Jack and Barbara are relieved to have found the perfect home at Westminster at Lake Ridge. The couple made their lists, checked them several times and then waited until they found a community that fit their exacting criteria. Following their long search, these two lifelong educators are thrilled to be back on campus.

When Bessye Clay (right) utilized the services of a home health agency, she not only received the care she needed, but found companionship with Registered Nurse Angela Lewis.

After different careers in public service, Baltimore City resident Bessye Clay eventually found herself needing a helping hand.  In June 2010, the North Carolina native, known to her family and friends as ‘Miss Bessye,’ had undergone back surgery.

Desiring to return home, it was clear Miss Bessye would need the assistance of a home health care agency when she was discharged from the hospital.

“I didn’t have any problems with the hospital,” she said.  “But I’d rather be in my home.  It’s more comfortable.”

Fortunately, her doctor referred her to P-B Health, an agency that provides skilled nursing, therapy services, medical social work and personal care.  With the agency, Miss Bessye not only received the care and support she needed, but she found companionship.

Angela Lewis, a Registered Nurse who has been with the agency for 14 years, provided wound care for her surgical incision and Miss Bessye also received physical therapy services.

“The nurses would come out and help me with walking and I did all kinds of therapy with them,” said Miss Bessye.

She has also credited Angela with helping her to avoid what could have been debilitating injuries after she slipped and fell in her home last September.  As a result, Miss Bessye has suffered from sciatica, but said things could have been worse had it not been for Angela checking on her and insisting she go to the hospital.

“If she hadn’t insisted that I go, I might not be able to walk right now,” said Miss Bessye.

Thanks to P-B Health, she made her recovery much quicker than expected and would gladly recommend the agency to others.  With the improvement of her health, however, there has just been one downside for Miss Bessye.

“I wish Angela was still coming,” she said.  “I miss her very much. She was an excellent nurse.”

These days, Miss Bessye enjoys spending time with her family in the area and catching up with Dot, a friend she had made in the hospital who also received care from the home health agency.

“Some of the same nurses that came to see me went to see her,” said Miss Bessye.  “We now call each other every day.  We are always laughing and talking about the great service we have had.”

Excerpts reprinted with permission from the article, ‘The Growing Need for Home Health Care Services’ by Ursula Battle in “The Baltimore Times” (December 3-9, 2010). 

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.

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“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.

The Cattells moved to State College, PA in 1956 when Newton was offered a job with the university. Newton helped to establish the college’s continuing education program and later became the first federal lobbyist for Penn State. His promotion took the couple to Washington, D.C.

In D.C., Newton founded the Midwestern Universities Alliance and lobbied for several universities in that region. Maddy continued her long career as a secretary working in a rehab facility. When Newton needed part-time help in his office, Maddy decided to quit her job and work for him. She remembers, “People thought we were crazy. They always said, ‘How can you live together and work together?’”

Maddy says it was easy, mostly because they observed their “professional roles.” She also admits, “It didn’t hurt that we always got along really well either.” The couple worked together for eight years before retiring.

Maddy recalls, “We started looking for retirement communities relatively early because we didn’t want to burden our children in the future.” After touring several places, the Cattells initially decided on a community in North Carolina near Duke University. When they heard about the construction of The Village at Penn State, a life care community in State College, they began to rethink their decision.

“We went up for a football weekend and visited the community and immediately put down a deposit,” says Maddy. After carefully comparing the communities, they withdrew their deposit in North Carolina and decided to wait for The Village to be completed. Maddy relates, “We were so anxious to move in that we were the very first residents. We were here at 8 AM on the first day.”

A few years after their move, Newton was diagnosed with lung cancer. After a long battle, he passed away last year. Maddy says, “During that time, the residents and the staff here really saved my life. They provided so much compassion and love. It was incredible.” The support of her community during this difficult time helped Maddy pull through. Today, she remains active and involved.

“I am so happy that we moved here,” she states simply. “Life is fuller here. You can be as busy and social as you want to be.” Maddy’s schedule includes Pilates classes, lectures, and frequent golf games. A long-time fan, Maddy attends football games and women’s basketball games whenever she can. Gazing out her window at the imposing stadium, Maddy concludes, “Being near the university provides so many opportunities. Living in a college town really is great.”

One of the primary reasons for the Buchanans’ frequent moves was Peter’s changing career path. While he was serving as an Assistant General Manager for Colgate-Palmolive, the Buchanans even lived in Venezuela. After over seven years in the business, Peter had what he calls a “lightening-bolt moment.”

He was invited to pursue a career in higher education, later becoming Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at Columbia University. This, and other experiences in higher education fundraising and public relations, ultimately prepared him to serve as the President of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). CASE is a Washington, D.C.-based, non-profit association that works to train and educate fundraising and public affairs professionals at colleges, universities, and independent schools world wide.

Each new career opportunity brought with it a new location. A former Junior League president and girl scout leader, Jane was always an active member in their various communities. After their children grew older, she went back to school and earned a Master’s degree in Counseling. Her work with Continuum, an organization that offered assistance to women who were entering the workforce for the first time, allowed her to put her counseling skills to work. Jane later obtained a second Master’s degree in Psychiatric Social Work from Columbia University. Her education provided superior interviewing and listening skills that were useful when she chose to sell real estate in a four season, recreational community in Vermont.

When the couple moved to their retirement home in Vermont, they expected it to be their last move. The Buchanans’ beautiful home in the wilds of Vermont offered stunning views and a tranquil lifestyle. However, as they planned for future needs, they realized that there was no nearby long-term care option that appealed to them. Both Peter and Jane also admit that the Vermont winters were “a little harsh.”

They were considering a more temperate environment when Jane read about the expansion of an accredited continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Virginia. While traveling through Charlottesville, VA, they were able to tour the community Jane had read about Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.

They were already interested in continuing care when they found Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge (WCBR). Both only children, they had cared for their ailing parents. Jane notes, “We wanted to be able to control our health situation in our later years. Lifetime continuing care just made sense.” An added benefit of WCBR was the pet policy which would welcome the Buchanan’s standard poodle, Windsor, into residency.

Finding continuing care was important but finding an environment where they could enjoy an active retirement was imperative. The Buchanans were intrigued by WCBR and the lifestyle that Charlottesville-home of the University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello-could offer. Rich in history and thriving intellectually, Charlottesville quickly proved to be the “best of everything” city that the Buchanans sought.

When the opportunity to move to their ideal retirement destination came a few years early, the Buchanans hesitated, but only briefly. Since moving, they have realized the inadvertent wisdom of their early decision. “There is never a dull moment here,” says Jane, who is putting her skills as a gardener to good use working with the community Buildings and Grounds Committee. Peter’s experience in fundraising led to his election to the Board of Trustees of the WCBR Foundation, the fundraising arm of the community. The couple also enjoys a long list of social pursuits, and they both take classes at the Jefferson Institute for Lifelong Learning (JILL), which offers a wide array of courses for Charlottesville area residents who are 55 and older.

Early on, Peter and Jane discovered that the collegial atmosphere of the surrounding university town carried over to the WCBR campus. “The culture of WCBR is warmly welcoming and friendly. There is a seemingly infinite variety of interesting people here,” Peter says. Jane concludes, “We were blessed to find a place where cosmopolitan country living continues unabated.”

The couple was amazed by the wide array of choices available. “Some had small campuses, while others were extremely large. Accommodations ranged from tight and cramped to five-star, which felt like staying in a huge hotel,” says Bill. Shirley adds, “Activity programs at the communities varied from little or none to extremely busy calendars run by large staffs.”

After a long search, the Mortimers found Mallard Landing, an independent living community in Salisbury, MD. “When we approached Mallard Landing, we felt it was the right size, with condominium-style apartments that satisfied our wants and needs,” they remember.

Having finally found the perfect community, the couple was anxious to move in. “The staff at Mallard Landing provided plenty of assistance to make our transition swift and smooth,” Bill relates.

Bill and Shirley quickly became involved in their new community. They have found their new neighbors to be “like family,” and that has really helped them adjust. They have gotten to know many of their fellow residents and are enjoying becoming a part of the close-knit community.

Bill concludes, “Both Shirley and I enjoy living in our condominium apartment; we feel like it’s been our home for a long time. We are involved in the wonderful activities here, and the surroundings are great. Our campus is beautiful, making life here even more enjoyable. We are home!”

More importantly, Lynn relates that after four years she was no longer able to provide the care Elizabeth needed and deserved because she is not a health care professional: “I later learned that there were actually things I was unknowingly doing incorrectly while caring for my mother.”

After calling countless state and federal agencies and receiving little assistance, Lynn finally received a call back from Dr. Jeffery Katz of Physicians’ House Calls. He was able to visit her mother in her home, since her mother could no longer make it to the doctor’s office. Dr. Katz and his staff were able to monitor her mother’s medications and medical tests and to stabilize her health, all through in-home visits. Since these physicians are on call 24 hours a day, they “were always there and always great,” declares Lynn.

With her mother happy and healthy, Lynn and her husband decided to schedule a much needed and deserved vacation to visit with family and friends. She consulted Dr. Katz about having her mother stay for a month in his newly opened assisted living facility, Beaverbrook Corner Assisted Living. The transition to the facility was smooth, according to Lynn: “They came in their van and transported my mother. After we returned from vacation, we visited Mom a couple of times and she seemed so contented and comfortable. Finally, I asked her if she really wanted to come back home with me. My mother’s answer was ‘No, not really.’” Elizabeth is still pleased with her new home; she is surrounded by people her own age, and she participates in trivia games and bingo games frequently. After just four months, she is truly prospering in her new environment.

Meanwhile, Lynn relates that her life has changed for the better as well, and she cannot do enough to sing the praises of Beaverbrook: “The staff is kind to mother; she likes them, and they like her. I have even visited unannounced, and the care she is receiving is always impeccable. The facility offers my mother everything she needs to meet her physical, social and mental needs, and the staff is truly caring and attentive; they have a genuine love for the elderly. Lynn happily relates that her “life is gorgeous now. I am mentally relieved knowing that my mother is always taken care of.”