As the sun begins to rise over the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, a few dedicated swimmers prepare to take the plunge. Even at this early hour, their enthusiasm is palpable.

These swimmers are residents of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Winchester, Va., featuring a state-of-the-art aquatic center. While the swimmers certainly enjoy the physical benefits of working out, it is the social connections that keep them coming back.

“The pool is really a social meeting place,” explained Kathy Headley, Westminster-Canterbury’s Wellness and Vitality Manager. “Of course, we’re working out at the same time and doing valuable exercises that most of us can’t do on land.”

While many residents swim purely for recreation, Kathy goes on to note that some of the community’s swimmers are recovering from a joint replacement, coping with arthritis or managing a chronic illness. “They can do so much more in the water: run, jump, and walk, and it’s more resistance and just a better workout,” she said.

As several face personal health challenges, the swimmers have become part of a tight-knit group in an extremely welcoming community. “Even though there are nearly 400 residents, this community is one big family,” said Kathy.

Westminster-Canterbury’s swimmers unanimously agree. While they are certainly dedicated to their workouts, they are even more committed to their fellow swimmers, and they are always looking for new recruits.

A Pool Ambassador

An avid lap swimmer, Paul Ziluca has helped unite Westminster-Canterbury’s growing group of swimmers by encouraging residents to take full advantage of the oversized pool. Paul started swimming to increase his lung capacity and battle his worsening asthma. In the past four years, he has quietly lent a hand to make sure the aquatic programming meets the needs of the various types of swimmers on campus.

“When I came here, I did my best to avoid doing anything. I was going to be really retired,” Paul recalled. “Within just a couple of years, I was involved in everything. It’s been very engaging for me and quite an eye opener about how to manage your life as you get older.”

While Paul is certainly proud of his own aquatic accomplishments, he beams when he speaks of his wife, Louise, and her achievements in the pool. “We moved here because of my wife’s Parkinson’s disease,” Paul said. “Now, she’s in a
wheelchair, but this summer, she participated in the aquatic walking event in our Senior Olympics, and she won a gold medal!” Paul went on to explain that Louise’s determination has become a source of inspiration for other residents.

Aquatic Athletes (and Friends)

Bob and Cari Sherwood were inspired by her aunt to move to a retirement community early, so they could enjoy the lifestyle. The couple is now among the youngest residents at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury, and they have never regretted their move.

“We’re just delighted that we moved. Within six months, we got to know so many pleasant people, and we’ve become very close to a number of them,” Bob said.

In addition to their new friends, the Sherwoods also love all the community amenities, including the pool. They routinely share this perk with their grandson, who enjoys open swim time when he visits each week. Bob also participates in an advanced aquatic class – even occasionally teaching it – which has become a balm for his spirit.

“The class is more than just a class,” he said. “It’s become a social event in and of itself. It’s a lot more than just swimming.”

Bob goes on to explain that in addition to aquatic exercises the group enjoys singing traditional songs and taking advantage of the acoustics in the pool area. The group also selects a word of the day, which they use as part of their workouts.

“I think the people in the class are, if you will, missionaries for the benefits of exercise,” Bob said. The class members are also one example among many of what life is like in a strong community: full of camaraderie and support.

Swim Buddies 

The Sherwoods certainly aren’t the only Westminster-Canterbury residents who benefit from the accessibility of aquatic exercise. Elizabeth and Jimmie Harp swim six days a week, all year round. They started swimming because Elizabeth was experiencing back pain.

“The doctor told me that if I didn’t keep moving, soon I wouldn’t be able to move,” Elizabeth said. Jimmie became her swim buddy, and the two now enjoy spending early mornings together in the water.

The couple moved to Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury three-and-a-half years ago after some of their friends exposed them to the wonderful lifestyle. “I wanted to be around more people and see them on a more regular basis,” said Elizabeth. “Too many people say they’re not ready, but we wanted to move before it was an emergency.”

Since moving, the couple has become very involved in the community. Jimmie is a devoted woodworker and has repaired furniture and built custom pieces for his fellow residents in Westminster-Canterbury’s woodworking shop. Elizabeth enjoys the community’s many entertainment and volunteer opportunities.

A Great Comeback

Lydia Mefford was desperately looking for support when she discovered Westminster-Canterbury. Her husband, who had Alzheimer’s disease, had recently passed away. As his primary caregiver, she quickly realized she needed friendship and interaction. She found a wonderful group of people who sustained her through her grieving process and were there for her when she faced her own health challenges.

After a traumatic fall resulted in a broken meniscus and excruciating pain, Lydia benefited from the physical and emotional support of the community’s residents and staff. “When my orthopedic surgeon said I needed a physical therapist and a therapeutic pool, I knew just where to go,” Lydia smiled as she recalled. “I came home to Westminster-Canterbury and spoke with our physical therapist immediately. After two weeks of his magical maneuvers, the pain was going away. Now, I can walk in high heels anytime I want.”

After regaining her mobility, Lydia kept swimming. She’s now able to fully enjoy all that her new home has to offer. “I’ve never had more fun in my whole life,” Lydia exclaimed. “I really think perhaps I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

True Team Spirit

Some folks dive right in. Others wade in more slowly. These divergent approaches could be used to describe both swimming and retirement living. Some retirees make the move early and never look back; others take their time making a decision. However, almost all retirees find that once they take the plunge into retirement living, they quickly discover new interests, great friends and old passions.

In the wee hours of the morning, a few dedicated swimmers make their way across the quiet campus of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury — excited to greet the dawning of a new day and eager to take the plunge once again. Having discovered a pastime with unmatched physical, social and emotional benefits, they are now busy soaking up all that retirement living has to offer.

George and Barbara Patterson moved into Foulkeways at Gwynedd Continuing Care Retirement Community in July of 2001.  They always knew they would retire there; Barbara’s mother and uncle had been residents, making her ‘second generation.’   They were still more than a year away from their move-in date when one, uneventful day in 2000, George decided it was time to put their house in Bergenfield, NJ on the market.  It sold in 10 days!

Barbara and George needed to find a place to live, quickly, and with help from the community’s admissions director, they found a lovely apartment in a nearby town.  “We decided to take advantage of all the benefits that come with being a Priority List member,” remembers Barbara.  “Our new apartment was only a few miles down the road, and from that day on, we practically lived at Foulkeways.  We ate meals there, exercised at the fitness center, swam in the pool, used their doctors and dentist, visited the hair salon, attended concerts, garden shows, and movies, and booked ourselves on trips.   We did everything but sleep there, and by the time we moved our furniture into our apartment there we knew hundreds of residents and staff members.

“I couldn’t wait to get settled, I wanted to try things I’d never tried before, and with 109 resident-sponsored  ‘committees’  (Quaker jargon for special interest groups)  I stayed so busy I realized that if I  wanted to experience ‘down time’  I’d have to go on vacation, somewhere away from Foulkeways!    We loved the idea that all of the committees are run by the residents, not by some concierge or activity director planning our days for us.  George found time to become immersed in basket weaving and over the years became an expert weaver.  He would spend hours in our apartment creating Nantucket, Appalachian and Shaker baskets.  After years of devoting seven- days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day to our orchid growing business in Bergenfield, George finally had the time to pursue his ever growing passion.   But you never know where life is going to take you.”

One year after moving to the community, George was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  He was 73 and Barbara was 70.  “My nursing background helped me cope.  I read everything I could get my hands on to find out more about this disease that had forced itself into my world.  George was more stoic.  He was always the quiet one, so I became the liaison between George and his disease. 

“In February of 2008 George fell and broke his right hip.  When he was released from the hospital he spent five months in Gwynedd House (Foulkeways Skilled Nursing Care facility).  His recuperation was slowed by the ever increasing progression of his Parkinson’s, but he was determined to return to our apartment.  When he was finally released he needed a nightly medical procedure that had to be administered by a nurse.  Every night for the next two years, a Foulkeways nurse would arrive, just like clockwork.   We came to know every nurse on staff.  We would laugh, we would hug; they became a part of our family.  Parkinson’s was taking its toll and George stumbled often.  Staff members would have to be called to get him back on his feet or into bed.  He was 6’4″ and too heavy for me to handle alone.  They came whenever needed, and they came without fail…always happy to help, always unfailingly pleasant.  What ever would we have done had we not been here?  How would we have managed?

“George and I always knew that quality care and attention to personal dignity were paramount at this community.  We had watched the care given to both my mother and my uncle as they became more frail, but just like everyone else our age, we didn’t dwell on thoughts of what might happen to either of us as we aged; it’s just not something you spend a lot of time thinking about.  But the level of continuing care provided by Foulkeways is the reason we chose to retire here.  Before we moved in I researched their hospital affiliations and when I heard about the relationship that existed between the community and Abington Memorial Hospital, I felt a deep peace of mind.  

“In 2010, George fell again.  He broke his left hip and was taken by ambulance to Abington Memorial Hospital.   While in the Emergency Room he suffered a heart attack.   All the records the ER doctors needed had been sent with George when the Foulkeways staff readied him for his trip by ambulance.  Valuable time was saved because his medical history and innumerable test results and doctors visits were all readily available to the attending physicians.  The hospital’s Palliative Care Team arranged for a conference call for us with our son in Little Rock, Ark., our daughter in New Jersey and our grandchildren to discuss what needed to be done.  George was included in the decision-making process, just as he is always included at the community.  Ultimately we decided that the surgical team would first perform bypass surgery, and four days later, perform a second surgery to set his hip. 

 “Nowadays when folks ask George when he is coming back to our apartment, George tells them with a wry smile, that he guesses he’s a ‘lifer’ in Gwynedd House.   His Parkinson’s has progressed and he has a feeding tube from which he is slowly being weaned. He meets with a speech therapist three times a week, and the entire Foulkeways staff of doctors, nurses, aides, housekeepers, maintenance men, dieticians and administrators have become our ‘family.’  They care about George.  They care about me.  When I am with him, twice a day, I can feel the love they extend to both of us.  We hug, we laugh, we encourage one another, and we watch as George continues with quiet determination to cope with his disease. 

“I am always touched by the staff’s ability to do whatever needs to be done to insure his comfort and peace of mind.  George has had to be re-taught to walk and to eat, and through it all the staff has been 100 percent supportive.  They are truly family to me.  Gwynedd House is so unique.  Care is designed to support resident independence and personal dignity.  George is not rousted at a certain hour each morning to adhere to staffing requirements.  Rather, he wakes at his usual hour, and goes through his day much as he would in our apartment, only now he has the added assistance he needs.  I eat lunch and dinner with him every day, and I am made aware, anew, that at Foulkeways a person is not a number or a diagnosis.  The individual always comes first here, always! 

Foulkeways at Gwynedd is the recipient of the 2010 Pathways to Greatness Award, given by Leading Age, formerly The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and LarsonAllen, consultants to the industry.

Natalie Levine was quick to take advantage of the Energy Club’s spacious facilities, especially the heated, indoor swimming pool. Before moving to Martins Run in December of 2008, Natalie lived in Florida where she was an avid swimmer. “I swam every day in Florida,” says Natalie, who is thrilled to once again have a pool she can use year round. It takes her about 30 minutes to swim 10 laps in the Energy Club’s 18-yard pool. “I get a lot of satisfaction from swimming.”

Natalie also walks regularly, a healthy habit she began decades ago after her husband suffered a heart attack and was advised to walk as part of his rehabilitation program. “Walking not only helped him, it helped me,” Natalie says, noting that in all her 91 years of life she’s never had a serious illness. “We found it so enjoyable because we conversed on subjects we never would have talked about otherwise.” A deep appreciation for nature developed, and Natalie loves strolling around the Martins Run campus to admire the beautiful trees and flower beds.

For variety, Natalie also takes a yoga class. With her apartment-home connected to the glass-walled Energy Club by one short corridor, Natalie can easily walk over to attend the yoga classes that are held in the large group exercise room. “It’s relaxing,” she says. “The instructor tells us to do the best we can and not worry about doing it exactly as she does.”

Jack Goldfarb, who has been a resident of Martins Run since November of 2006, also participates in the yoga classes. “Yoga tones my muscles, gives me greater flexibility, and is good for relaxation,” he says. To enhance his strength, Jack has used some of the air-pressured resistance training equipment, which is located in another room of the Energy Club along with cardiovascular machines, such as recumbent steppers and bicycles. He also builds strength by walking in the pool. “One reason I love the Energy Club is because I’ll have a warm pool in wintertime!”

Open daily from early morning to mid-afternoon, the Energy Club is connected by a walk-thru to all the residences, eliminating the need to go outside. With large windows overlooking an outdoor patio, the attractive club also has a juice bar with tables and chairs that residents can use for post-workout refreshments. Locker rooms provide a convenient place to change clothes, store belongings, and shower.

Professional fitness instruction is a crucial part of the Energy Club’s services. “We have a fulltime lifeguard/fitness associate on staff,” says Linda Beaver, who is the fulltime fitness coordinator for the Energy Club. “In addition to leading exercise classes and teaching everyone how to use the exercise equipment, we provide individualized exercise programs to those residents who would like to follow a regimen designed specifically for them.”

When not exercising, both Natalie and Jack enjoy reading and frequently visit the newly renovated library at Martins Run. “I go there every day to read The New York Times,” says Natalie, who loves how the library was refurnished and redesigned for greater ease of use. Having a penchant for mysteries, Jack finds plenty of good reads from the 5,000-plus books in stock.

“Libraries are wonderful; they can stimulate your mind,” says Ann Ritterman, the community’s librarian and a resident of Martins Run for four years. “I try to provide whatever information I can to keep the residents here fully informed and entertained.” The library’s business center, which houses several computers, a printer and a copier, is well used by the residents, too, giving them access to the Internet and a wealth of software and other services.

A former elementary school teacher, Jack also enjoys the Martins Run University lecture series that are held in the auditorium. Led by college professors, the educational lectures cover a range of topics from politics and religion to music and medicine. “I also love going to the concerts and movies in our modern theater,” Jack says. The remodeled theater boasts plush seating and a large projection screen with surround sound, making it ideal for first-rate movies and live performances.

As for mealtime, Martins Run residents were recently introduced to the community’s new Terrace Dining Room. The Terrace offers buffet-style lunches and dinners, including a salad bar and dessert bar, in a casual environment. “I like being able to serve myself whatever I want,” says Jack. “The most delightful part is that I can have ice cream every night.”

Hilde and Jack Jagodzinski are fans of both the Terrace and Fireside Dining Rooms, admitting their decision on where to eat boils down to the menu for the day. “The buffet at the Terrace Dining Room usually wins us over, and my daughter and grandsons love going there for the wider selection of dishes.”

Natalie prefers dining in the elegant Fireside Dining Room where the ambiance is more reserved. “I enjoy the sit-down service,” she says, “and the fact that they offer a kosher menu.” For added entertainment, Martins Run hosts demonstration cooking events on certain nights throughout the year. Frequently, the executive chefs offer new, fresh menu choices much to the pleasure of residents.

Natalie’s busy social life also involves playing bridge three or four times a week and studying other languages. Yet, she still finds ample time to relax in her lovely apartment-home. “Before deciding to move to Martins Run, my husband and I stayed here for a three-month trial. It worked out so well that we decided to move in permanently,” Natalie recalls. “I love the view of the golf course.”
Hilde is also fond of her apartment view, which overlooks the golf course. Her and Jack moved into Martins Run this past February, and couldn’t be more pleased with their decision. “We’re still in the process of hanging pictures on the wall so our apartment is a bit bare, but we don’t notice much because it is such a pleasant atmosphere here,” says Hilde. “The people here make it feel like home.”

All of the apartment-homes are being newly designed to feature the latest in home design and deluxe living amenities. In addition to spacious, modern kitchens and baths, the one- and two-bedroom apartments have walk-in closets and washers and dryers. The upscale décor includes durable bamboo flooring as well as energy efficient windows, patio doors and HVAC system.

While Hilde and Jack are still becoming acquainted with the senior living community, they are aware of the many opportunities available to them, and Hilde says “the staff keeps residents well-informed with all of the memos, as far as the abundance of activities going on throughout the community.” An avid reader, Hilde is especially looking forward to taking advantage of the large assortment of books in the library.

“The Energy Club, Terrace Dining Room, new apartment designs and other renovations enhance the active, diverse lifestyles our residents seek,” says Linda Sterthous, CEO of Martins Run. “The changes have transformed Martins Run, opening the door to a whole world of new recreational, culinary and social experiences.”

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Beth graduated from Smith College as a music major. After traveling throughout the U.S., Europe and Middle East, she returned to her native city to pursue careers in broadcasting and politics.

Beth worked on President Eisenhower’s campaign and was a staff member of the Senate. She also held a position in public relations for D.C.’s classical music station, but eventually moved in 1963 to become the Director of Public Relations at the Philadelphia Orchestra.

In her new hometown, Beth met the “man of her dreams,” Henry, the president of an investment banking company. The couple had a son in addition to the three children he brought to their marriage. Aside from traveling in their free time, the Glendinnings ran a summer program in economics for high school students.

Although Henry passed away in 1988, Beth continued to stay active with the Philadelphia Orchestra and joined the Boards of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Curtis Institute of Music and Astral Artists.

Despite her involvement with these organizations over the years, Beth eventually knew it was time to make the transition from her home to a community that could not only provide a dynamic atmosphere, but offer a sense of security for her future. Where that community would be, however, was never a question for her.

“I always wanted to come to Cathedral Village because of the diversity of its population,” said Beth. “It’s near Philadelphia and I had friends here.”

Along with the location and vibrancy, it was also the community’s reputation of serving its residents since 1979 that appealed to Beth, so she made the move in 2004.

“I heard the staff was great, but I had no idea how great it was until I got here,” she said. “It’s very well run.”

It is no surprise that since her move to Cathedral Village Beth has not only managed to stay active with her outside organizations, but has become highly involved with those in the community. As co-chair of the Art Studio Committee, she is responsible for choosing teachers for painting programs, but it is her duties as co-chair of the Concert Committee that has let her utilize her roots in music.

“We bring in the most incredible people and present up to 14 concerts a year for the residents,” she said. “Because I’ve been floating around the music world so long in Philadelphia, it’s been easy for me to find the amazing talent.”

Beth credits the staff at Cathedral Village for financially supporting the concert committee and allowing her the opportunity to hire these classically trained artists. The monthly concerts held in the community’s auditorium, Cathedral Hall, are popular among all residents as volunteers bring individuals from the nursing facility to enjoy the experience.

“This is the thing I’m most proud of in the past four years. These are blessed years for me and that is my great joy,” she said.

With a town that is full of talented and diverse musicians, there is no question that her tasks for the Concert Series keep Beth busy, yet she manages to take advantage of the many other opportunities available on campus to stay active. Services that include housekeeping, dining and transportation allow individuals the freedom and luxury to engage in as many or as few activities as they desire, whether it is relaxing on movie nights to reading plays with the drama group.

Cathedral Village offers a range of college courses from Economics to Films and often features guest speakers. Residents can also explore their creative abilities utilizing the craft room, or take advantage of the community’s physical fitness equipment.

“We have a really great pool that I swim in every day,” said Beth. “It’s really beautiful to swim and see the snow falling outside.”

While she appreciates these wonderful amenities and the fact that Cathedral Village is pet-friendly, Beth had also come to the community knowing she would have access to a range of healthcare. This has been especially important lately as she is preparing to have knee replacement surgery and return to Cathedral Village for her therapy.

“You don’t have to go to some rehabilitation place,” said Beth. “You come back home and stay in the nursing facility, but you can come into your apartment and still check in with everyone.”

Now, Beth and her fellow residents also have the peace of mind knowing they can receive assisted living care in the comforts of their apartments.

“We can stay where we’ve all been living and don’t have to pack up our treasures and move, which is a major plus,” she said.

Along with Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living care, Cathedral Village’s supportive services also extends to Alzheimer’s care. The community’s Outpatient Department for independent living residents is managed full-time by an experienced Registered Nurse with a Physician on duty 24 hours a day. A variety of specialists from dentists to audiologists are also brought in for residents at least once a week.

As she looks back on the past five years being surrounded by lively individuals and a supportive staff, Beth could not be happier. Although it had been quite clear as to where she wanted to spend her future, it may be safe to say that Cathedral Village, with its organizations, amenities and care was ‘music to her ears,’ and still continues to be with each passing day.

Alan and Katharine Jung are truly a model for ideal retirement living. Not only have their retirement living decisions been well thought-out and proactive, but they have also embraced the new opportunities that retirement offers and are fully enjoying what they refer to as a “new season in their life.” The couple can certainly offer helpful advice to others concerning retirement living decisions-right down to the downsizing checklist Katharine devised.

They did just that during a recent presentation for their fellow residents and prospective residents at Carroll Lutheran Village, a continuing care retirement community in Westminster, MD. Their presentation was part of a program about retirement living decisions, which included various senior -serving professionals.

Putting themselves in a position to fully enjoy their senior years has always been on the agenda for these two planners. As Alan relates, “We were kind of in a unique situation in that we always knew that our home-office combination would be the cornerstone of our retirement financially. We always had the mindset in place that is necessary to leave your home. Too many people are tied to their homes, but we really weren’t. We had plenty of time to prepare for the move.” After Alan retired from his dental practice in 1991, the couple began preparing for moving from their spacious home to a one-bedroom apartment, which necessitated a radical downsizing of their possessions.

“Downsizing can be a painful procedure for some people,” admits Katharine. However, Katharine and Alan helped ease the stress of downsizing by utilizing an ingenious inventory checklist. This gave all three of the Jung’s children an opportunity to discuss items with their spouses and decide what they wanted. It also allowed the Jungs to dispose of any unwanted items. Despite the hard work and difficulties involved in the moving process, the Jungs found it to be a rewarding experience: “The process was truly a liberating experience for us, because we came to the understanding of how relatively unimportant ‘things’ are in our life.”

Reducing their baggage allowed the couple to completely change their lifestyle. They moved to a waterfront apartment in Baltimore, which they speak of fondly as “a wonderful place, in a great, urban environment.” Unfortunately, though, the living arrangement wasn’t as secure as the Jungs would have liked. Alan explains, “The landlord and his wife were people that I knew, and we had grown up in the same neighborhood. We were happy living with them, but they were getting older, and I began to wonder from time to time what would happen to us if they died. I just didn’t feel secure for the long haul in that environment, so I began to think of other options. My primary motive was to get Katharine into a position so that I could feel secure that if something happened to me she would be set.”

Alan talked about his apprehensions with Katharine and discovered that she was concerned for his future as well. After discussing it, the couple decided that it was important to ensure that their children did not have to make any retirement-related decisions for them. “I knew what it was like to have to make decisions for aging parents, and I didn’t want our children to have to go through that. These are difficult decisions and can be heart-rending and often the right choice is not really clear. So we thought it was best to eliminate all their potential worries, take care of ourselves, and let them get on with their lives,” recalls Alan.

After some preliminary research, the couple realized that a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) could offer them “the best of all worlds, since it offered comfort, safety, security, and freedom of movement at the Residential Living level. A seamless transfer between various levels of health care would be there too, if the need ever arose.” They started investigating CCRCs on-line and visited several communities in the Baltimore area. When they went to visit Carroll Lutheran Village, they knew they had found their home amidst the beautiful grounds and welcoming residents.

“What’s not to like about this place?,” asks Alan. “We have lived here for two and a half years now, and we couldn’t be happier. Everything we could possibly need or want is right here.” In fact, the two are very involved in the community. Katharine serves on the Hospitality Committee, which is an integral part of the Resident Association. The committee helps new residents settle in by providing them with dinner arrangements and introductions. As Katharine points out, “We want to make sure that we acquaint new residents not only with the physical campus, but also with the people and our way of life here. It’s incredibly important to help people adjust to the move because it can be very traumatic for some people.”

Katharine will have the opportunity to welcome countless new residents once the Village’s new expansion, Wakefield Overlook, is completed. Wakefield Overlook is a premier, full-service community that will include 82 modern apartments, 60 Village homes, and a Mission Square featuring a Wellness Center and Hospitality Center. The expansion project began in the spring of 2004 and, once completed, will nearly double the size of the Village. The project will add countless amenities to the community, including a 25-meter pool, a whirlpool, a spa, an exercise room, and several common areas.

Although Katharine and Alan have no plans to move from their current apartment in the Village, they are looking forward to enjoying the new facilities and to meeting new neighbors. Katharine relates, “The new Overlook is going to be an entirely different complex, and it will have a great community feel. All of the amenities will be available to all of us, and I’m really looking forward to the swimming pool.”

To individuals who may be considering a move, Katharine and Alan suggest, “Don’t Wait!” Katharine advises, “You have no real picture of how wonderful the freedom of living in a retirement community is until you’ve moved. It’s like living in any place, except you have the freedom to come and go as you please. You have all types of amenities available to you and no responsibility for home or ground maintenance.”

With all their plans settled, this couple now spends most of their time volunteering to improve their community and spending time with their children and grandchildren. From the beginning, they had a plan for the future and seeing that plan come to fruition has been very rewarding. Of the completed moves and their new lifestyle, Alan concludes, “Katharine and I have been truly blessed in this new season of our lives.” Katharine adds, “It is very important that people try to look forward to what they have to enjoy later in life.” Katharine and Alan Jung continue to do just that-look forward to their future.

Having worked his entire life as a Geologist and Civil Engineer who traveled around the globe, Gary found the boredom and isolation caused by his illness extremely difficult to cope with: “Physically I was a zombie; mentally I was down, which is very uncharacteristic of me. I was actually really depressed,” relates Mr. Melickian.

The depression caused by his illness was nearly overwhelming for a man who had always had such passion for life. Gary was a partner at Dames & Moore for 25 years before establishing a business that offered experts for construction claims to attorneys. In addition to these positions, Gary also lectured to university students about natural hazards and building problems. His status as an expert was secured both in the field and at the University of Southern California, where he earned a Master’s degree in Engineering Geology.

After battling kidney failure and then being faced with heart problems, Gary was not optimistic when his cardiologist told him that swimming would help him to regain his strength. He didn’t feel motivated to exercise, and he didn’t know how to locate a safe and convenient place to swim.

When he called the Jewish Council for the Aging’s Senior HelpLine for recommendations, everything seemed to change: “They gave me five recommendations for pools, and I visited them all and decided to go to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville. Joan DiCostanzo, my contact at JCA’s Senior HelpLine, continuously called back to see what I had decided and how I was doing. I was amazed by the level of service!”

In addition to building his muscles, Gary has fostered many strong relationships at the pool. Finding intellectual companionship has been instrumental in his continuing recovery. Gary unhesitatingly acknowledges what JCA’s Senior HelpLine did for him: “I am not being facetious when I say that they essentially saved my life. There are wonderful resources in this area for seniors, but you have to search them out. JCA helped me to do that.”

Gary recently moved into Friendship Terrace, an Independent living facility in D.C. “This is a good place for me,” concludes Gary. “I really like to have a lot of people around. Because of my background and all of my world travels, I really need the human interaction that the JCC and Friendship Terrace continue to give me.”

While he is still working to regain his physical strength, he is once again in peak intellectual and emotional condition. Only friendship and community involvement could complete the transplant that has given Gary Melickian a reason to keep swimming.