In 1681, William Penn specified that settlers coming to the lands granted to him by English King Charles II (Charles called it “Pennsylvania”) must preserve one acre of trees for every five acres cleared. Their descendants extended Penn’s far-sighted conservation measures by planting and studying collections of trees. Nearly 300 years after Penn, Philadelphia-area Quakers opened Kendal~Crosslands Communities, a continuing care retirement community in Kennett Square, Pa., and immediately turned to improving the environment.

The beautiful grounds of Kendal-Crosslands Communities features mature trees and rolling hills.

It is therefore not surprising that Kendal still maintains a focus on sustaining the natural environment. The campus features a 500-acre, arboretum- like grounds surrounded by forests, meadows, tranquil water features, luscious manicured gardens, and rolling hills. Preserving the campus’ capacity to sustain and inspire requires a responsibility towards the earth that has been inherited from previous generations. It is the community’s intention to leave the next generation a legacy of sustainably managed resources that is rich in beauty and diversity.

Residents enjoy spending time outdoors on the 500-acre campus.

Both staff and residents take great care in maintaining and improving the landscaped grounds and have been very active in the stewardship of natural resources. On the campus, plans were established to restore a rich diversity of plants that provide native habitat for birds and wildlife. In the past few years, resident volunteers and staff have planted more than 500 woody plants in the forests and countless wildflower plugs in the meadows. Residents enjoy life and the natural beauty of the world around them, and it’s evident given their countless hours of labor to sustain it.

As a result of the efforts of the staff horticulturist and many residents, Kendal was awarded their official arboretum status, through the Morton Register of Arboreta. Joint committees work with horticulture and nature conservancy groups on each of the campuses to sponsor public events, service programs for area youth, educational programs and other events for the residents.

Kendal began 40 years ago in historic Chester County, adjacent to Longwood Gardens, and the Kendal organization has since grown to 12 other diverse Kendal communities in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest regions. Opportunities to shape one’s social, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual life are combined with lifetime health care (within newly built and renovated health and wellness residences) and are all infused with the traditional Quaker values of integrity, care and respect. Consisting of four communities, Kendal at Longwood, Crosslands, Coniston and Cartmel, Kendal offers diverse choices in residential cottages and apartment living, featuring up to nearly 1,800 square foot homes with full basements. Neighboring local landmarks such as Longwood Gardens, Brandywine Battlefield, Winterthur, Brandywine River Museum, and local vibrant towns including Kennett Square and West Chester all contribute to the well-being of residents.

One of the area’s most highly regarded continuing care communities, Kendal has a long legacy to build upon and one to leave as well. Residents come from not only the local area but also from across the country, and they inevitably add to the diverse nature of the community’s outdoor spaces. The grounds of Kendal are a place of peace and tranquility, inspiration and joy; a place that supports each resident’s individual needs and interests, while reflecting the richness of community living.

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In addition to the range of healthcare services offered at the continuing care retirement community, Pauline and Dr. Robert Sumner were instantly drawn to Riddle Village for its beautiful grounds and friendly staff.

we feel very blessed,” said Pauline.

Therefore, they wanted to give her something in return by ensuring they would be cared for in their future years.  The couple agreed that Riddle Village, a Lifecare Retirement Community located in Media, Pa., would be the perfect place to help them achieve this.

“So many parents don’t want to give up their home and they don’t realize the responsibility that falls to the children,” said Pauline.  “It takes a tremendous burden off our daughter if something were to happen to us. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.”

While it offers their loved one peace of mind, it has also provided the Sumners themselves with an active environment and maintenance-free lifestyle.  Robert (Bob) is a retired dentist who practiced for 38 years after serving in the Air Force while Pauline was a teacher before their daughter was born.  Over the years, she has continually volunteered in their community and with their church.

“I may have been the one who started pushing for us to move since Bob has been retired for 14 years,” said Pauline.  “I was tired of cooking and maintaining the home.”

The Sumners proceeded to visit different communities in the area, and found they were instantly drawn to Riddle Village.  “The staff appealed to us the most and the appearance as we were walking into the beautiful gold lobby room,” said Pauline.

These aspects, in addition to the Lifecare community’s independent living, personal care and skilled nursing services, prompted the couple to make the move, and they have been enjoying life in their new home for the past five months.

With a range of amenities and activities at Riddle Village, the couple has been getting involved as much as possible, even finding outlets for sharing their different skills. Bob, an avid woodworker and cabinet maker, has donated extensive equipment to the community’s woodshop and looks forward to giving lessons.  Meanwhile, Pauline has started volunteering at the gift shop.  They also take advantage of the fitness center and try not to miss the various entertainment brought into the community.

“There are so many opportunities here that you can be busy all the time,” she said.  “You certainly aren’t retired when you’re here — you might get tired — but you are not retired.”

And Bob would agree as he balances his time to continue his efforts building a medical/dental clinic in Honduras.  Having helped others in different areas such as the South Pacific and Mexico, he has been able to share his knowledge as part of the Medical Committee at Riddle Village.

When he travels, however, he knows he has a wonderful home with a new found family waiting for him.  “Everyone here is so friendly, it has not been a problem getting to know people,” he said.  “Everything feels connected here since you can just go from one building to the other.”

For the couple, the friendly connections also apply to the staff.  “They are very supportive; from maintenance to the wait staff, they could not be more helpful and wonderful,” said Pauline.

As they enjoy delicious meals, a variety of entertainment or the beautiful settings of Riddle Village, the Sumners prove just how rewarding making the transition can be for everyone involved.

For Sally and Bill Moore, it was never a question that they would move to Ware Presbyterian Village due its reputation in senior living, rural setting and close proximity to their dairy farm.

their family receiving a Master Farmer award for the mid-Atlantic region.  Therefore, it was not surprising that when they ultimately decided to move to a retirement community, they did not want to stray far from their life’s work.  Fortunately, they were already familiar with Ware Presbyterian Village, a continuing care community in Oxford, Pa. that they knew would offer them an ideal location and security for their future years.

Although farming was their primary career, the Moores had taken on other jobs over the years.  Sally worked for the agricultural extension service for a year and while farming, she wrote for the local newspaper and taught sewing classes in their home.  A Penn State football fan, Bill was a Boy Scout leader and served on different farming boards, including the Chester County Agland Preservation Board.

Naturally as farmers, they enjoyed taking care of the different animals they accumulated.  “We started the farm with 60 cows and now we have 800,” said Sally.  “I also had sheep at one point and used their fleece for spinning.  Today, Bill has four horses and a couple of oxen on the farm.”

The couple was prompted at an early age to look into retirement living options as a result of the experiences they each had with their loved ones.

“When our mothers were 85, we basically had to force them to move, but they ended up having a wonderful time,” said Sally.  “My mother was at Ware Presbyterian Village, so we had agreed when we were closer to 75, we were moving.”

In addition to Sally knowing the Ware family, the support her mother had received and the couple’s desire for a charming rural setting led the couple to immediately put their name on the waiting list, and they were actually able to move sooner than they anticipated.  They attributed this fortune to the fact that, unlike many of their peers, they did not have to worry about selling their property as they gladly went into business with their son and daughter-in-law who now primarily run the farm.

For the past year and a half, the Moores have enjoyed taking advantage of the various amenities at their home while Bill still visits the farm daily.  “It’s only 20 minutes away, which has been very handy for us,” said Sally.

When they are not visiting the property, they are often utilizing the fitness center at Ware Presbyterian Village while Sally remains busy on the Activities Committee.  Although they knew some individuals at the community prior to moving in, the Moores said they are always making friends at dinner or the numerous socials and even went on a cruise recently with a group of fellow residents.

And their amount of friends will only increase as a result of the Ware expansion project which will add new Independent Living villas and apartments.  “Having more people will lead to more activities and opportunities for socialization,” said Sally.

Regardless of its size, the Moores know Ware Presbyterian Village will maintain the reputation they have always known.  They could not be happier with its vibrant environment and the peace of mind they have with the continuum of healthcare services provided by a supportive staff.

“We like this community and we’ve known about it for a long time.  We’re very glad we made the decision,” said Sally.

Although Geoffrey and Barbara Mynott remain busy with organizations outside of Dunwoody Village, they still enyjoy spending time relaxing in their spacious country house at the continuing care retirement community.

Since meeting in college, Barbara and Geoffrey Mynott have continued to feel lucky with each year they have shared together.  As they recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, they relish in the wonderful future ahead of them at their current home, Dunwoody Village, a Continuing Care Retirement Community located in Newtown Square, Pa.

The Mynotts attended Bucknell University before Geoffrey briefly went into the service.  He then started his own business, Conestoga Tool Company, where Barbara eventually joined him after working at Wyeth Laboratories and raising their two sons.

Over the years, the couple has enjoyed travelling and bird watching.  As avid golfers, they have been involved with the Merion Golf Club.

According to Barbara, she was the “mover and shaker” behind the decision to move from their family home.  “I loved it, we had wonderful gardens, but it became too much for me to manage,” she said.

They proceeded to move into a townhome for several years before looking into retirement living communities.  “We looked at a few places, but I’ve always had an affiliation with Dunwoody because most of my mother’s friends were here,” she said.  “I’ve felt very comfortable here, and was even more impressed after taking a tour.”

Although the couple said the decision to move in general was difficult, they have had no regrets knowing the peace of mind it has not only provided each of them, but their children.  “We both strongly agreed we did not want our children to worry about us as we got older.  We wanted to have everything in place so they didn’t have to make the decisions,” said Geoffrey.

After a year and a half at the community, the Mynotts have been enjoying their spacious apartment and scenic views.  As they continue their pastimes of bird watching and attending Bucknell sporting events, they have also taken advantage of the active environment Dunwoody offers while being pleasantly surprised at the number of friends they have made.

“It’s a very vibrant place; there is so much to do and there are a lot of interesting people,” said Barbara.  “The residents are very involved in programming activities.”

With several amenities including a fitness center and putting green, the community also brings in different entertainment along with writers and professors for lectures. Although Geoffrey has not been able to get as involved, still working with his company and serving on the Bucknell Board of Trustees, Barbara has written for the community’s publication, ‘Inside Dunwoody,’ and is a member of the Documentary, Entertainment, History and Dining Services Committees.

According to the couple, this vibrant environment extends to Dunwoody’s nursing and assisted living units, where some of their friends have received care.  “They have given testimonials about how wonderful the care is,” said Barbara.  “It’s so accessible and there’s a very upbeat spirit there.”

In addition to the care that is provided onsite, the Mynotts take pride in Dunwoody’s greater community outreach.  “People put in a lot of volunteer hours and we have a program where we make casseroles for local homeless people,” she said.

Although they were already familiar with many of these advantages, the Mynotts could not be happier looking forward to the years to come and even more surprises along the way.

“Dunwoody is one of the oldest retirement communities in our area,” said Barbara.  “They’ve been in business a long time and they know what they’re doing.”

While continuing outside pursuits, Connie and Carl Beresin have gotten involved with different committees at The Quadrangle and enjoy the many concerts, lectures and movies the retirement community has onsite.

Through their separate careers, Carl and Connie Beresin devoted much of their lives helping and advising others.  While they found their work rewarding in itself, it is safe to say they are currently enjoying some well-deserved perks living at The Quadrangle, a Sunrise Senior Living community located in Haverford, Pa.

Married in 1955, the Beresins had four children, after which Connie returned to school to receive a BA in sociology and a graduate degree in social services management.  She spent 30 years in non-profit social services management with the YWCA, WOMENS WAY and JEVS.

“My focus on other women to help them identify their strengths and future goals, to determine the best ways to work and/or to change their circumstances in positive ways was important to me,” she said.

Meanwhile, Carl, a Wharton School graduate who received his MBA from Temple University, worked 27 years for a national food service company before working as a business broker.  “I liked advising clients with respect to buying new businesses,” he said.  “My expertise has been in business operations and financial aspects thereof.”

Following their retirement, the couple eventually decided it was time to make the transition to a retirement community that could meet their potential future needs.  When researching their options, the Beresins said they were immediately drawn to The Quadrangle for its ambiance and beautiful grounds.

“We liked the culture, the stimulating and challenging intellectual and creative environment,” said Connie.  “We knew it had been established by Quakers and having lived in a Quaker town, although we are Jewish, we felt at home and welcome.”

Also important to the Beresins was the fact that the community is a perfect middle ground between two of their sons in West Chester and Philadelphia.

After settling into their cottage, the couple wasted no time getting involved in the various programs at The Quadrangle, most of which are facilitated by the residents.  Connie heads the Art Program, and is a member of the Poetry Committee and Writers Group. She enjoys spending time painting in the Fine Arts Studio. Carl is cottager representative to the House Committee, one of seven rotating residents who facilitate weekly current events discussion and has been preparing for a script-in-hand play.

“We both swim laps regularly a few times weekly while I go to water exercise 2 to 3 days a week,” said Connie.  “We enjoy the many concerts, lectures, and movies here at The Quadrangle as well as dining with a wide variety of friends.”

Although they are highly active at the community, they appreciate having the flexibility to continue their various pursuits offsite.  The couple attends the 1807 & Friends series of chamber concerts in the city and a film group in Swarthmore. Connie, a published poet, participates in the Swarthmore Poetry Workshop while Carl plays bridge at the Drexel Hill Bridge Club and attends sporting events at the University of Pennsylvania.  They spend summers in Vermont with family and friends visiting.

Most importantly, the Beresins are able to stay on-the-go with the knowledge that a range of healthcare services is available at the community.  From independent living to skilled nursing and memory care, The Quadrangle provides amenities and services to meet the specialized needs of each of its residents.

And with this security, the couple is just enjoying living in the moment. As Connie said, “We both feel fortunate to be here. My husband and I are having the time of our lives!!”

When she is not visiting with friends for coffee at Frey Village or enjoying a day outing, Mary Klemmer is busy volunteering and addressing birthday cards to her peers at the retiremnet community.

A vibrant, active senior, Mary Klemmer was adamant that she would never leave her home. But when a fall left her unconscious for three days before she was found and hospitalized, she knew she had to revisit her decision.

Her family set out on a search for a Continuing Care Retirement Community that could provide the necessary health-care services Mary needed right away, but also complement the busy lifestyle she enjoyed. Not sure where to turn, they were referred to Frey Village, a Diakon Lutheran Senior Living Community in Middletown, Pa.

“My daughter and granddaughter came here right away, looked at it and loved it!” says Mary, who recovered from her fall with the help of Frey Village’s nursing and rehabilitative care services before moving into her one-bedroom apartment. “The nurses and therapists keep saying, ‘We can’t believe it’s you!’ when they see me.”

Completely independent, the 90-year-old woman fills her days with lots of activities. Whether she is volunteering in the village’s Country Store, assisting the chaplain, or taking her daily walk around campus, she is never at a loss for something to do.

“I really think that my whole family cannot believe the adjustment I’ve made here and that I love it,” she says. “I try to be involved as much as possible. There is always something”””such as the village’s annual Strawberry Festival, Mount Gretna art outings, unique community involvements including one with students from the Diakon Wilderness Center, and a range of interesting and scenic trips”””in which you can become involved.”

Mary also looks forward to Frey Village’s weekly dinner outings to a Middletown-area church as a time to socialize and have fun with her dinner companions.

“I go every single week because I am so amazed at the town of Middletown, how friendly all the people are in these churches and how many helpful volunteers there are,” she says. “Even if I didn’t eat, I’d think it was wonderful because of the association with the people in town.”

The carefree lifestyle found at Frey Village is a perfect respite for Mary, who spent most of her adult life working in retail management, an industry known for long hours and high stress levels. For 15 years as the owner of Mary’s Bridal House in Lancaster, she handled the formal-dress needs for a variety of special occasions.

“Some weekends I had as many as 25 weddings. I did prom shows. I also did the Miss Lancaster County pageants,” she says. “I think back and don’t know how I ever did it.”

After closing the shop, Mary put her management experience to work for a number of retailers before retiring. To this day, she still volunteers her time to address and send birthday cards to all employees at Hallmark’s 10 stores in the Lancaster area.

“I also send everyone in the Frey Tower Apartments a birthday card,” she says. “That is my new mission.”

When not addressing birthday cards, volunteering, participating in a Frey Village outing, sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, or visiting residents in the community’s personal care center, Mary tends to the plants and flowers on her patio””or “other living room,” as she likes to call the outside space.

“I get up every morning and love to be out there with my coffee, enjoying the view,” she says. “I sometimes just stand out there and can’t believe that I’m here.”

Harold Watts, Adrianna Price and Floss Berkowitz enjoy the newly opened Bistro at Martins Run, where residents of the retirement community and their families can have a quick bite, cook-to-order dishes or the especially popular Sunday brunch.

Dennis Fisher gathers a handful of ripe heirloom tomatoes and bunches of freshly cut herbs from his Chef’s Garden. Chopped chives for potatoes, oregano for pasta, as well as parsley and dill are all slated for the evening’s menu.  As the Executive Chef of Martins Run Senior Living Community in Media, Pa., Fisher embraces local ingredients, a philosophy of sustainability, and most importantly, inspired cuisine.
“Many of our residents are accomplished cooks and enjoyed tending their own gardens, so to have fresh summer tomatoes and homegrown herbs incorporated into their food, is a true taste of home,” says Fisher.  Garden-savvy residents even started a new tradition this year — a Mother’s Day tomato plant sale, which raised funds for the Martins Run Garden Club. “Many of us even donated a few of our plants to the Chef’s Garden,” says Muriel Kornspan, one of the Club’s members.
For Fisher and the rest of the Martins Run dining team, crafting appealing cuisine for a wide variety of palates starts with offering plenty of choices. Between three unique dining venues, residents can choose from as many as 12 entrees every night. The recently opened Terrace Dining Room is a favorite among residents looking for non-kosher buffet-style dining in a casual, upbeat setting. On special evenings, a chef will take to the stage and lead residents through a cooking demonstration of a favorite seasonal recipe. Open for lunch and dinner, residents can choose from among three or four cook-to-order entrees each day, with dishes like shrimp kebobs, pork ribs and tilapia, as well as an extensive soup and salad bar and a dessert bar with an ice cream station. Ranging from vanilla to Moose Tracks, the flavorful selections of ice cream are always a refreshing delight on steamy summer days.
The recently opened Bistro is a high-energy café that is perfect for a quick bite and refreshing beverages on the go.  The menu is continuously changing to accommodate a wide range of ready-to-eat and cook-to-order dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including larger plates such as the Asian-style salmon or lighter entrees like ziti with olives and feta. Sunday brunch is a favorite among residents, who like to splurge on Belgian waffles, a create-your-own omelet station or dine on classic favorites like a whitefish salad platter with bagels and cream cheese.
Another fixture at the Bistro? Chef Alex Cobb, who is often found stretching and tossing his own pizza dough, the base for his wildly popular gourmet pizzas. When the Bistro first opened, Cobb began experimenting with a variety of pizza recipes, using fresh organic herbs and vegetables from his home garden for the crust and toppings.

The Fireside Dining Room offers full-waited service in a refined and intimate atmosphere. Open for dinner, the menu features a long list of upscale traditional kosher fare as well as other creative options. The Fireside Dining Room often hosts up to three generations at a single table, as residents frequently invite their children and grandchildren to eat with them in this restaurant-style environment. A prominent yet charming fireplace and tables clad with starched white tablecloths exude a warm ambiance to accompany the sumptuous food served here.  Whether you prefer the brisket, prime rib carved to order, or stuffed salmon, you’ll leave here with a satisfied stomach.
“The dining experience here is second to none,” enthuses Ruth Monheit. “There is such an impressive variety of dishes, ingredients and cooking styles, that it’s become our most anticipated time of day.” Monheit, a resident since 2004, has been a member of the Martins Run Food Committee for six years. She and several other residents meet with Dining Services management staff once a month to help guide menu changes and provide feedback. “We represent the ‘palates’ of all the residents,” Monheit says. “The Dining Services team is extremely receptive and does a great job responding quickly to accommodate our suggestions.”
So how does Martins Run accommodate so many different tastes and dietary constraints?
“That is the six million dollar question,” says Mike Swain, Director of Dining Services, who claims the biggest challenge is cooking food the way 250 residents’ mothers did.  “We understand the importance of soliciting feedback from the residents, to take direction from them in respect to all facets of the Dining Services operation.”  The staff is constantly collecting input on the menus, staffing patterns, hours of operation, ambiance, and other factors that affect the residents’ experience.  “We are very visible before, during, and after mealtime to hear what they have to say.”
While Monheit’s favorite place to eat is in the Terrace Dining Room, she enjoys all of the dining venues. Harold Watts agrees. “I feel right at home and really have an enjoyable dining experience every time I sit down to eat.” More often than not, Watts, who considers himself a big breakfast guy, goes straight for the omelet station, filling the remainder of his plate with hash browns and a slice of banana bread baked fresh that morning.
For Floss Berkowitz, a resident since 2010, the best part of dining isn’t the food. It’s the camaraderie it offers. “In the Terrace Dining Room, we’re surrounded by a comfortable, laidback atmosphere that provides us with a great place to sit and talk with other folks, while enjoying first-class food,” she says.
In an effort to deserve that “first-class” endorsement, the dining team throws special-themed parties and other events. These include kosher deli nights, complete with all the traditional pickles aside corned beef on rye, upscale non-kosher birthday parties, and summer barbecues. The Martins Run Chef team regularly prepares ethnic dishes from around the world, from Italian and African Liberian to Asian and Mediterranean.

Registered Dietitian Laura Freeman (right) helps ensure meals at the senior living community are well balanced while providing one-on-one nutrition counseling for residents, including Ruth Haas and Neal Aaron.

While guests are savoring the variety of cuisine at Martins Run, Laura Freeman, RD, LDN, is busy working behind the scenes, ensuring that meals are well balanced and nutritional needs are met. Freeman also provides one-on-one nutrition counseling for any resident in the community, and she teams with the chef to ensure seasonal and local produce are featured in all of the dining rooms.
According to Freeman, who has worked at several continuing care retirement communities in the Philadelphia area, Martins Run residents are very well educated and very in-tune with timely nutrition topics. “I love working with the residents to make positive changes in their health,” she says.  “I believe quality of life is key as we age and how we eat greatly affects that. Incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as lean meats and whole grains, helps to create these positive changes. The chefs do an incredible job of making meals at Martins Run healthy, yet flavorful and enjoyable at the same time.”
Even this year’s Leadership Award Celebration at Martins Run focused on organic, locally grown food. During the dinner, several attendees asked who catered the event. It’s a question that is often asked at Martins Run affairs, yet Mike Swain believes it’s the ultimate compliment. He is always proud to answer with: “It’s our amazing team of chefs.”

“The house is SOLD!”

That was welcome news for Ed and Robin LaDrew.The future Tel Hai residents were eagerly packing. Their interest in the community’s newest neighborhood, Cedar Ridge, had grown as they reviewed mailings on the exciting new floor plans being offered. “We noticed they were selling fast and didn’t want to miss out,” Ed reported. The opportunity to move into a brand new home with a southern orientation and walk-out basement was terrifically attractive. Reviewing the cottage plans, they decided instantly this was the place for them.

Ed grew up in New Jersey but called Wayne, Pa. home for nearly two decades. He was aware of Tel Hai’s wonderful reputation over the years. A photographer with a commercial lab in Downingtown, his store manager also helped him feel “connected.” She volunteered at Tel Hai and shared her experiences on the campus and delightful interaction with residents.

Robin, an “Army brat,” moved a lot growing up.She met Ed when taking dancing lessons at the local YMCA. Although Ed had retired, Robin was still working as an on-call nurse when their decision to become part of the Tel Hai community was made.

Watching their aging parents attempt to maintain their own homes was a real eye-opener for the couple. “We knew we didn’t want that life for us,” said Ed.Too tired and sick to move, Robin’s 90-year-old parents resided in Virginia with live-in nursing care, further convincing the LaDrews to not wait until they felt “ready”””it might be too late!

Now, Robin is “having fun trying new things and meeting new people.” Ed said he enjoys “being part of a community of folks who share common interests.” They are exploring the region they now call home–savoring local produce in season, exploring the countryside and enjoying their worry-free life at Tel Hai.

Life on campus described as “fabulous…”

When you ask Karen Runyon for her impressions of life at the community, you get an enthusiastic response. “You couldn’t ask for better neighbors,” she said. This former nurse, widowed three years ago, moved into her cottage in September 2010. She found community life appealing in concept and looked in neighboring counties before finding Tel Hai.

She proudly shared with friends an online slide show she created featuring her new home and celebrating the beauty of her surroundings and her customized home. Everything is “so nice here””the people are lovely.” Karen’s neighbors enjoy having friendly chats as they meet on Evergreen Drive or plan get-togethers.

Becoming familiar with life at the community has offered many options””from donatingfurnishings to the Flea Market benefitting the Care Assurance Fund to attending a ukulele concert. Karen now enjoys a closer geographic relationship with her only sister and brother-in-law, too.When considering Tel Hai for her future home she learned that family members had preceded her in choosing cottage life here. Others had benefited from a health care-related experience on campus.Karen’s own rehab experience at The Meadows at Tel Hai after knee surgery generated kudos: “I’ve never seen a staff like we have here! We have a real gem in the health care center.” And staying active is easy””there is so much to choose from each day. Karen enjoys working on her computer, scrap booking, reading, knitting and traveling. “I know I can fill my days with interesting activities and new friends.”

Karen’s found a convenient location and a reasonably priced lifestyle. She said, “After living in NYC, Philadelphia and Charleston I’ve had a wealth of ‘neighborhood’ experiences. Now that I’m here at Tel Hai I’m surrounded by wonderful friendly folks””it’s fabulous!”

As one-year residents of Twining Village, a Diakon Lutheran Senior Living Community in Holland, Pa., the couple fill their days with enjoyable activities, including socializing with friends in the new home. Whether attending a bingo game in the afternoon or seeing a movie at night, the Macfarlans keep themselves busy and love every minute of it.

“We moved to Twining Village over a year ago from the Churchville area because our large home was becoming too difficult to maintain,” explains Mrs. Macfarlan. “Along with the security and easy living at Twining, the activities and social aspect are just wonderful for us””and our health.”

Studies have shown that when older adults participate in a variety of activities, their health and sense of well-being improves. For this reason, senior living communities offer a wide range of stimulating programs, so that the individual needs of each resident are met.

As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, Twining Village provides numerous activities and programs while allowing residents a sense of security with its personal care accommodations and available nursing and rehabilitative care. Beverly Gowton, the director of community life, plans a variety of social programs and activities that challenge the mind and stimulate the imagination. Gowton encourages residents to join activities that spark their interest and she assists in starting new programs as needed or requested. Whether they are passionate about art, music, card games, travel, sporting events, or knitting, people will find something for everyone at Twining Village.

According to Gowton, Wii Bowling is a wonderful activity for the older person. “If you break down the actual activity, it provides for a wide variety of stimulation, socialization, eye-hand coordination, finger dexterity, body movement and, most importantly, it challenges the brain to think by remembering patterns. Many of the residents participate in tournaments with other local senior living communities. There is nothing wrong with a little friendly competition to get everyone up and moving.”

In fact, no matter what your age, you should participate in some type of leisure activity, advises Gowton. “As we mature, it is extremely important for us to continue to maintain those activities as much as possible. For seniors, enjoying life can help them delay the aging process and in some cases, slow down age-related illnesses. An active, busy lifestyle keeps your mind and body healthy for a longer time.”

Mrs. Macfarlan experienced several medical concerns before moving to Twining Village, but since then, she says, she couldn’t feel better. “I had several strokes and a hip replacement, but I am able to participate in so much here, nothing keeps me down. In fact, I want to start water aerobics.” Her activities roster also includes Canasta, Rummy Q, and crafts.

Along with Wii bowling, Mr. Macfarlan is in charge of movie night and plays shuffleboard.

“I believe that seniors should not sit around and watch television all day; it is important to get out and get active,” says Mrs. Macfarlan. “I try to encourage all of my neighbors to participate in the activities Twining has to offer. There’s something for everyone here. You just have to look for it and you will find it. And if someone has a new idea for an activity, they can make it happen.”