Retirement Living » Va http://www.retirement-living.com Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Homecare in VA, MD, DC, NJ, PA, DE Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:23:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 A Century of Caring–Willows at Meadow Branch http://www.retirement-living.com/a-century-of-caring-willows-at-meadow-branch/ http://www.retirement-living.com/a-century-of-caring-willows-at-meadow-branch/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 18:24:57 +0000 Kemmie Turpin http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=19263 By Christy Brudin

One of Gertrude (Trudy) Virginia Chedister’s earliest memories is of caring for her siblings. Nearly a century has passed since that time. Now 100 years old, Trudy proved to be a natural caregiver, and she still puts the needs of others first.

Born in Salem, West Virginia, Trudy was the second of nine children in her family. As she grew up, she became a caretaker for her younger siblings. “I helped take care of the children under me, and I loved that job,” Trudy remembered. While her older sister preferred to spend her time reading, Trudy always welcomed the opportunity to care for her siblings. “I ended up taking care of the children the most because my older sister didn’t like it, and I really did,” she explained.

“Everybody here is my friend. And I’m a friend to everybody, and I help people when I can.”

“Everybody here is my friend. And I’m a friend to everybody, and I
help people when I can.”

Trudy’s partiality for child care served her well later in life. “I happened to make a good wife when I got married,” she smiled as she recalled. “And I had three children, and I’m proud of them all.”

When Trudy was widowed at just 46 years old, she became the sole caregiver for her two younger children. “Mom moved back to where her parents lived and bought a house after she was widowed,” recalled Trudy’s eldest daughter, Jo Ellen Covell. “I was 18 at the time, but my sister was 11 and my brother was 5. She raised them by herself.”

While parenting on her own was undeniably challenging at times, Trudy always remained positive. “My husband was very good, but the Lord helped me get through losing him, and I’m still going,” she said.

Judging by the deep devotion she has inspired in her children, Trudy did a lot more than just survive; she thrived. “She gave us a wonderful life,” said Jo Ellen. “She was the best mother anyone could have ever had. She cared for us. She taught us things. We owe her so much.”

As her kids grew up and Trudy grew older, she was determined to never be a burden on her family. She also wanted to plan her own retirement, so she took the initiative and moved to an assisted living community near her long-time home in West Virginia when she was 85.

Trudy enjoyed the fact that she no longer had to worry about lawn or home maintenance, and she was happy in her new home. However, after a few years, Jo Ellen convinced her to move to be closer to family. “We wanted to see her more often and be close enough to help out more,” Jo Ellen said.

Jo Ellen started searching for an assisted living community in Winchester, Va., near both her home and her sister’s. “I looked at every place in the whole area, and I brought Mom to see the ones I hadn’t eliminated,” she recalled. “We knew we wanted The Willows at Meadow Branch, but they had a waiting list.” Just weeks after placing their name on the waiting list, the family was surprised to get a call from The Willows informing them of an opening.

That was nearly 13 years ago, and Trudy has made the most of her life at The Willows. From sitting on the large front porch in the summer to participating in a range of activities throughout the year, she takes advantage of everything that community life has to offer.

“I really love everything about The Willows,” Trudy said. “They are so good to me, and they meet my needs, whatever they might be.”

Of course, for a person who has always loved others, getting to know so many new people is one of the perks of her new home. “Everybody here is my friend,” Trudy smiled as she said. “And I’m a friend to everybody, and I help people when I can.”

For Trudy’s family, having her close by has been wonderful. “It’s so amazing that I can stop in and see her anytime, even if it is just for 15 minutes,” Jo Ellen said.

Their close family ties have served Trudy and her children well. “I think it’s essential to maintain a strong connection to your parent,” Jo Ellen explained. “People who don’t see their parents are missing a blessing because they have a lot of wisdom to share and a lot of encouragement and love to give.”

Beyond the close proximity, Trudy’s family also benefits from the security of knowing that their mother — who dedicated so much of her life to caring for others — is well cared for at The Willows. “The staff here is just amazing,” said Jo Ellen. “They keep in touch with me and give me updates. They offer advice about how to handle things and will even suggest I should call her doctor.”

Gertrude Chedister is a natural caregiver who always put the needs of others first. Today, her family benefits from the security of knowing that she is well cared for at The Willows at Meadow Branch.

Gertrude Chedister is a natural caregiver who always put the needs of others first. Today, her family benefits from the security of
knowing that she is well cared for at The Willows at Meadow Branch.

Still a natural caregiver, Trudy modestly underestimates how much she has given to her family and friends. “I just tried to treat everybody like I’d like to be treated,” she said of her life of service. “I also asked forgiveness if I needed to, and I helped anybody anyway I saw that I could.”

Trudy’s simple ideals and positive nature are perhaps best exemplified by her poetry. A lifelong lover of plays and poetry, she commemorated her move to The Willows with a short but poignant poem:

“I moved to The Willows to enjoy life.

No more packing, moving or strife.

The next time I move, I won’t have to pack.

I’ll just follow Jesus and never look back.”

Trudy is certainly enjoying everything life at The Willows has to offer. And, true to form, she continues to give all that she can to her new friends and neighbors. After all, Trudy’s second century of caring just began.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/a-century-of-caring-willows-at-meadow-branch/feed/ 0 Back on Campus–Lifelong Educators Plan Ahead–Westminster at Lake Ridge http://www.retirement-living.com/back-on-campus-lifelong-educators-plan-ahead-westminster-at-lake-ridge/ http://www.retirement-living.com/back-on-campus-lifelong-educators-plan-ahead-westminster-at-lake-ridge/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 16:35:45 +0000 Kemmie Turpin http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=19261 By Christy Brudin  

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.

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.

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.

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.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/back-on-campus-lifelong-educators-plan-ahead-westminster-at-lake-ridge/feed/ 0 ProAging @ Vinson Hall – Social Work Month Celebration http://www.retirement-living.com/proaging-at-vinson-hall-social-work-month-celebration/ http://www.retirement-living.com/proaging-at-vinson-hall-social-work-month-celebration/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:57:28 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1266 Over 150 of the regions most influential senior-serving professionals packed the house at Vinson Hall for the annual Social Work Month Celebration.  Everyone enjoyed great food and networking.  Vinson Hall marketing director, Arvette Reid shared Vinson Hall’s plans for expansion.

The program featured a panel presentation with representatives from area hospitals who discussed the role of case management departments, opportunities and challenges for professionals, and innovative programs.  The audience was able to engage in a lively question and answer session.

Panel Members:

 

Below is a list of some of the professionals in attendance:

ProAging @ The Fairfax – The Village Concept in the DC Area 
Date: Friday May 13, 2011
Time: Noon – 2
Location: The Fairfax
9140 Belvoir Woods Pkwy
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Description: Join other senior-serving professionals for one of the best networking events of the year. The Fairfax has a great venue and excellent food service.

This event is produced in partnership with the Washington Area Villages (WAV).  Dont miss the opportunity to learn about the “Village Concept” and learn about the communities in DC, VA and MD that are on the forefront of this important movement.  As a professional serving seniors and families this event will enable you to discuss this option with those you are serving and give you important information on where villages are in operation and development in our region.

Seating is limited so RSVP to rsvp@proaging.com.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/proaging-at-vinson-hall-social-work-month-celebration/feed/ 0 Technology That Keeps Elders Engaged and Involved http://www.retirement-living.com/technology-that-keeps-elders-engaged-and-involved/ http://www.retirement-living.com/technology-that-keeps-elders-engaged-and-involved/#comments Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:39:51 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1207 Technology That Keeps Elders Engaged and Involved“Technology in general opens up a whole new world for elders,” says Ben Cornthwaite, the administrator of Renaissance Gardens at Greenspring in Springfield, Va. Ben’s community is one that has made a commitment to embrace a variety of aging-services technologies.

The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) broadly defines aging-services technologies as those that can influence the aging experience for seniors, including their quality of life, health outcomes, satisfaction and/or the quality of care they receive. CAST groups these technologies into four broad categories: Safety, Health and Wellness, Social Connectedness and Electronic Documentation.

Renaissance Gardens at Greenspring is exploring technology in the social connectedness category by working with Linked Senior, a company that is pioneering the use of MP3 audio and visual content to improve the lives of elders living in senior housing communities.

The system is the first MP3 player for seniors and centers on a centrally-located kiosk in the community where residents and staff can choose from a variety of content, such as audiobooks, music and visuals. The resident can choose to utilize the kiosk for listening to content or downloading it to an easy-to-use portable MP3 player. Individuals and groups can even enjoy games and brain fitness at the kiosk.

The Linked Senior system has been used and tested by hundreds of residents at senior living communities across the country. The current product reflects input from users, hours of research, and cutting-edge technology.

Ben sees the product being especially helpful to those that might have developed a fear of technology. He says, “The nice thing about the kiosk is how easy it is to use to access the content that is available.”

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/technology-that-keeps-elders-engaged-and-involved/feed/ 0 Discovering a Sense of Community in Retirement http://www.retirement-living.com/discovering-a-sense-of-community-in-retirement/ http://www.retirement-living.com/discovering-a-sense-of-community-in-retirement/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:09:51 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1228 grandparents enjoy living in a retirement community in virginiaMarta and Jim Harkins easily recall the exact time they met. That is because the Greenwich Village New York City residents stood at the same bus stop every day at 8:30 in the morning; Jim heading to his job at a bank and Marta to her job as an office manager for a small manufacturing company. Their small talk soon progressed to dinner and today they celebrate 51 years of marriage.

The couple relocated to Arlington where they raised their two children as Jim, a Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, worked for the Veterans Administration while Marta ran a tax business. Eventually, the nest emptied and the family grew with four grandchildren. In 2002, the Harkins decided to consider downsizing when the older of the two turned 80 years old.

They were further inspired after visiting a past neighbor at Vinson Hall, a continuing care retirement community located in McLean, VA for commissioned military officers and their immediate family members, as well as career government officers. “We were very impressed, so we applied and got an apartment here,” said Jim.

With their positive attitudes toward the move, the couple did not struggle with downsizing like other couples they know. Instead, the couple boasts about their new apartment. They feel it’s one of the best in the community due to its unique floor plan and great views.

Vinson Hall’s close proximity to Arlington allows Marta and Jim to continue using the same doctors and easily maintain other community ties. In fact, Marta, who is legally blind, continues the hospital volunteer work she is so passionate about. “I am still in good shape so I can do it,” she said. “I love it; I really and truly do.”

Another attribute of Vinson Hall they appreciate is its small size of less than 200 residents that have come to feel like family. “The residents are from all walks of life and many have travelled all over the world,” said Jim. “We have more sense of community here than we had in Arlington.”

And with their close-knit “family” they have enjoyed the many social activities the community offers. Jim continues to coordinate movie viewings in the community, as he has for the past eight years, while Marta is the coordinator for the low vision support group, which even includes non-residents.

It’s the sense of community and enjoyable lifestyle they have found that encourages Marta to share her proactive mentality about downsizing. “Don’t wait until you must move, do it when you can,” she said.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/discovering-a-sense-of-community-in-retirement/feed/ 0 Still Blowing His Own Horn in a Retirement Community http://www.retirement-living.com/still-blowing-his-own-horn/ http://www.retirement-living.com/still-blowing-his-own-horn/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 13:37:10 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1201 Still Blowing His Own Horn in a Retirement CommunityThe phrase “blowing his horn” takes a literal meaning with Benjamin Nickson. Although he has accomplished much in his life worth “blowing his horn” about, he has a low-key authentic personality. Ben has literally been playing his trumpet for 75 years, yet he sheepishly shares, “I am a wannabe trumpet player.” However he may refer to his talent, Benjamin can be seen continually practicing at Grand Oaks, an independent and assisted living residence on the campus of Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C.

It is a fitting home for Benjamin, who was actually born at Sibley and has remained a true Washingtonian over the years. Having grown up in Northern Virginia, he eventually graduated from Western High School in the District in 1943. He was immediately drafted into the Navy, but left in 1945 to attend Syracuse University, where he studied Business Administration and Accounting. Following his graduation in 1949, Ben attended Harvard Law School.

“I graduated and passed the bar, but after all that I decided that I didn’t want to practice law. I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he says.

Ben then got a job with an accounting firm and passed the CPA exam, but found himself again confused with his career path. “I didn’t like that particularly either,” he says. “I was just lost.”
Eventually, he decided to return home to Virginia and work with his father who ran a small accounting firm, but according to Ben, that job also turned out to be temporary. It was then he got married, had two children and took a job with the Federal Government where he spent most of his career. He retired from his position as a budget analyst in 1986 and was awarded the Navy Department meritorious civilian service awards.

After retiring, Ben and his wife went through a series of moves from McLean to Arlington, progressively downsizing each time. Then Ben’s wife started to have a variety of health and mobility issues. She was interested in exploring the idea of moving to a retirement or assisted living community, whereas Ben says, “I didn’t want to.”

At that time, Grand Oaks was under construction, and the Nicksons’ daughter suggested that they take a look. Reluctant, Ben says he had told his wife, “Honey, we will never go there, we will never be in assisted living.”

Regardless, she decided that she wanted to continue with the move, and the couple officially became residents of Grand Oaks in 2002.

Although he had been hesitant, the transition taught Ben a valuable life lesson. “The funny thing is that sometimes you don’t look ahead; you think that everything will be the same and there will be no change,” he says. “One big lesson in life that I have learned is that changes occur, some good, some not so good.”

And through the changes of his wife’s declining health, Ben helped care for her and appreciated the great deal of support they received from the Grand Oaks staff. “If it wasn’t for the compassionate care from the staff, I don’t know what we would have done, because there is no way I could have taken care of her myself,” he says.

Ben and his wife were married for 53 years before her passing in 2008. While he misses her tremendously, Ben takes full advantage of the support system he has found in his fellow residents at Grand Oaks. “It’s a tremendous benefit – there are over 150 residents here,” he says. “I know a lot of them and they’ve given me a lot of support, and I feel better.”

He also attended a Widowed Persons Outreach Group with the Sibley Senior Association (a complementary membership for all Grand Oaks residents) which helped him cope with sadness and depression, and where he found solace and met new friends.

Aside from practicing his trumpet and performing for other residents, Ben has also occupied his time traveling and learning other languages. He was able to recently visit his son in Germany and has been studying the language along with Russian. “I have Russian tapes that I listen to and I’m trying to learn German and keep up with my son, but I’ll never catch up with him,” says Ben.

Fortunately, Ben is also able to frequently see his daughter, who lives in Chevy Chase, Md. and had initially helped him find Grand Oaks. The help of his adult child is a familiar situation to Ben, who had assisted his own father when he was challenged by aging issues.

“I loved my father a lot and I could see he was having trouble living in his house,” says Ben. As a result, he went exploring and found his father a house in Oakton, Va. where he could be cared for by a staff. “He moved into the very first Sunrise community,” he says. Since Sunrise Senior Living is the management company for Grand Oaks, Ben refers to himself as a “second generation resident of Sunrise.”

Despite coming to grips with the changes that had occurred in his life, Ben had thought he could possibly move into an apartment and live independently following his wife’s passing. It was during the recent trip to Europe, however, that he realized he needed the assistance at Grand Oaks in order to maintain an enjoyable lifestyle.

“There is always going to be change in your life, and you can’t avoid it. I always assumed that everything was going to be the same,” says Ben. “I had a good job and I never thought about retirement. I married a beautiful lady and I had a wonderful marriage and I just assumed it would go on forever and we would always live in this nice house forever. We would have these two nice kids forever. And then the kids grow up, and you grow old, you get disabilities and your health changes. You get to a point where you can’t live the way you are living and you have to change the way you are living.”

No matter what may come in life, however, there is no question for Ben that Grand Oaks will remain a constant in his life.

“My stay here has been very good, I’ve been happy and I find the staff to be very helpful and compassionate,” he says.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/still-blowing-his-own-horn/feed/ 0 The Art of Retirement Living http://www.retirement-living.com/the-art-of-retirement-living/ http://www.retirement-living.com/the-art-of-retirement-living/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:02:12 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1186 grandmother artist in retirement homeBefore Madeline Brown Fowler moved to Sommerset Retirement Community in Sterling, Va., she had never picked up a paintbrush or had any significant interest in art. Now the energetic great-grandmother of ten proudly talks about her newfound passion for creative expression through art. While many people can find the transition to a senior living residence challenging, Madeline’s optimistic personality and passion for life has unlocked many opportunities for her in her new home. She truly has mastered the art of retirement living.

Madeline met her husband Stan during WWII. He was a B-17 pilot assigned to the Air Force base in her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. “We met on a blind date and were married about three months later,” she said. “We were together for about 60 years.”

After several assignments around the country, they settled in Stan’s hometown, Swickley, Pa., and raised their two children. Her husband flew for commercial airlines for a while, but said that he “felt like a bus driver,” so he joined the family business. “We built a beautiful house in a wooded area that we loved,” said Madeline.

As much as she loved the family home, she did not feel comfortable living there by herself after her husband’s passing with the amount of work needed to maintain the property and its secluded location.

She opted to find a new home near her daughter Susan in Northern Virginia. After visiting many communities in the region, Madeline chose Sommerset. She cites the location, which was walking distance to the library and other amenities, as what initially drew her to the community. However, it has been the friendships she has formed and the full plate of activities that has kept her fulfilled.

While many people might find the downsizing process a huge challenge, Madeline graciously accepted help from her daughter and daughter-in-law to make the transition. With her granddaughter also helping organize her spacious two-bedroom apartment, it was soon ready for Madeline.

At her arrival, she was greeted by another resident who took her down to dinner, “I have been enjoying my new friends ever since,” she exclaimed. “Friends are so easy to make.”

Madeline had also made up her mind that she was going to take advantage of every opportunity possible at Sommerset. She not only tries to participate in every activity, but is also very involved as a member of the activity committee, which is made up of residents who plan the activities, events and trips for the community with the activity director.

One aspect of living at Sommerset that Madeline particularly enjoys is the daytrips, especially to the museums in Washington, D.C. “There isn’t one single thing I don’t think that I haven’t seen; I’ve seen everything!” she said with a laugh. Her daughter even marvels at the various attractions Madeline has been able to visit.

Another convenience at the community is its regularly scheduled transportation to local grocery stores and shopping centers. Madeline is also able to get a ride to her doctors’ appointments, “I love the fact that I don’t have to bother my daughter for a ride to the places I need to go,” she said.

In the eight years that Madeline has been living at Sommerset, she has experienced some slight changes in her mobility. “They take such good care of you,” she stated, referring to the supportive staff and services that have helped many of her friends maintain their independence. The community works closely with the residents to coordinate healthcare providers if needed, offering a cost-effective alternative to other senior care settings.

With endless activities and a sense of security, Madeline is of course pursuing her artwork and proudly displays some of her paintings in her apartment. After spending some time with her, one quickly realizes that her first and best work of art is the wonderful lifestyle she has created for herself at Sommerset.
“It’s a very happy place to live,” she said.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/the-art-of-retirement-living/feed/ 0 I am 43 years old and living in a Retirement Community http://www.retirement-living.com/i-am-43-years-old-and-living-in-a-retirement-community/ http://www.retirement-living.com/i-am-43-years-old-and-living-in-a-retirement-community/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:41:19 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1121 man in a nursing home bed“Forty-Something” Man Moves into Assisted Living Community
Local publisher strives to inspire adult children to be more aware of the experiences their aging parents have in transition.

Vienna, Va. — Steve Gurney is 43 years old, exactly half the national average age of residents living in assisted living communities. On Feb. 9, Gurney will experience first hand what it is like to move into one of these communities by taking up temporary residence at Paul Spring Retirement Community in Alexandria, VA.

Nearly 20 years ago, Gurney founded the Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook, a comprehensive resource that provides details on all of the senior living options in the mid-Atlantic. He said, “I realized that I have spent my entire career helping families and elders make these choices, but I have never experienced the transition first hand as a resident. I will be using this experience to help families better understand this important life transition.”

Gurney will not be utilizing this experience to evaluate the level of care and amenities or to determine if a specific community or option is “good” or “bad.” Instead, he will be focusing specifically on the feelings and emotions that an individual faces when moving to a new and different living environment.

The inspiration for this project began last September when Gurney was taking his children to their first day of school. He said, “When I give my kids encouragement about their first day of school, it’s authentic because they know I have been through the same experience. This made me realize that I need to be more authentic by going through the same experiences that the readers of our publication and website are facing.”

Gurney recognizes that his experience will be somewhat artificial due to his age and the fact that he will not be a permanent resident. However, by focusing specifically on the emotions accompanying the transition of leaving his home, he feels that he will be able to share important insights with others.

After his stay at Paul Spring, Gurney plans to take up residence at a continuing care retirement community, nursing home, an independent living community for low-income seniors, and an Alzheimer’s-specific community. “Most people don’t recognize the wide variety of choices,” said Gurney. “By living as a resident in five different types of communities, I hope that this experience will also help families better understand the options.”

Gurney plans to document his experiences through a blog at www.proaging.com and in articles in Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook.

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/i-am-43-years-old-and-living-in-a-retirement-community/feed/ 0 Admiral Malcolm Sinclair: Active Adult http://www.retirement-living.com/admiral-malcolm-sinclair/ http://www.retirement-living.com/admiral-malcolm-sinclair/#comments Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=1022 active adult senior citizenRear Admiral Malcolm Sinclair’s retirement truly was a complete change of course. After a career as a U.S. Naval officer for 38 years, which included three tours of duty at the Pentagon, he enrolled in law school at American University.

Upon his graduation, he practiced law as a public defender in the District for a short time, but soon he had problems with walking and balancing that were caused by an illness. He couldn’t drive anymore, and moving around was very difficult. He knew he couldn’t keep living in such a challenging state, but wanted to stay surrounded by his family and pets in his own home.

“I recognized my limitations,” said Admiral Sinclair, who lives in Great Falls, Va. “I think I have a pretty good attitude toward being helped.”

Ginny, his wife of 55 years, also needed assistance due to physical limitations and managing a children’s shop she owns. According to the Admiral, the decision to seek the services of Anova Senior Kare Inc. was simple. The wife of their pastor at The Episcopal Church of Great Falls recommended Anova Senior Kare with enthusiasm.

“Having our caregiver, Annette Little, for several mornings a week significantly lightened our workload, and reduced the stress of worrying about my being alone for my wife,” he said. “Annette provides pleasant company and assistance.”

Every day is different for the Sinclair’s and Annette. Anova Senior Kare Inc. usually assists with everyday activities such as companionship, light housekeeping, errands, transportation, meal planning and preparation, and safety assistance. Annette is currently helping Admiral Sinclair with his business tasks, and comes to his home about 16 hours each week.

“She is very helpful, and has got a wonderful personality,” he said. “We get along great.”

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/admiral-malcolm-sinclair/feed/ 0 In Retirement, They Wrote the Book http://www.retirement-living.com/in-retirement-they-wrote-the-book/ http://www.retirement-living.com/in-retirement-they-wrote-the-book/#comments Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 Lauren Searson http://www.retirement-living.com/?p=161 senior community retirement elder groupMost people know that moving into a retirement community brings a long list of benefits- security, a sense of community, delectable meals and frequent social activities.

However, the residents at Falcons Landing have a few extra perks-about 15 of them, actually. The community, which is open to retired career officers of all branches of the military, houses more than a dozen published authors within its ranks, several of whom have made national best-selling book lists.

So what is it like eating dinner next to Bernard “Mick” Trainor, the author of Cobra II, which was called one of the best books of 2006 by The Washington Post? Or how does it feel to pass Bebe Faas Rice, the critically-acclaimed author of 19 books for teenagers, in the hallway?

According to residents of Falcons Landing, which was established by retired U.S. Air Force officers, being surrounded by so many authors is fairly normal – and always interesting.

“Everyone here is very engaging,” said Kit Inman, author of four books of poetry, several books on spiritual growth and a historical novel titled Free Land. “Many have had several careers and been very successful, but all of them are very friendly and willing to share their talents. You can sit around with any of these prestigious people and find something in common.”

Jo Puccini, author of the personal and emotional memoir Angels in My Valley, said it helps to have other authors around the community to help her stay motivated and discuss the hurdles of getting published.

“It was right in the Falcons Landings meeting room that I opened the UPS package and passed it around to the group in here,” she said. “Authors and non-authors alike were both happy for me. It’s a palpable sense of community here.”

Bebe Faas Rice, the author for teenagers, said receiving a new book is comparable to holding a baby for the first time.

“You are just so thrilled, it’s beyond words,” said Bebe. “It’s like a child in your arms- it’s so beautiful!”

While feeling accomplished after completing a book seems to be the norm, sometimes the writing process can be used for other goals. Irene McPherson used it to lessen the grief she felt after the death of her husband, John, who was a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Air Force. Though she has always been interested in journalism and had even written for the Saturday Evening Post, she said losing him brought her desire to write to a standstill.

“After he died, I quit the book,” said Irene. “In the last year or two, my son needled me about the book, and I’m glad he did otherwise I never would have gotten it started again.”

She finished Four Decades of Courage, which chronicles the development of air power and the 7th Bombardment Group, in early 2006.

Harlan Cleveland, who said he came in the “back door” of Falcons Landing, was impressed with the inclusive nature of the community.

“The thing that struck me was that I was a civilian with no military experience, but we felt so comfortable and welcome here that my wife and I signed up during our first visit,” said Harlan, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO who has authored 12 books on leadership and international affairs. He was admitted to Falcons Landing before the community became exclusive to retired military officers in 1998.

Many of the community’s authors have defied traditional stereotypes about retirement as a time for rest, and have published books well into their golden years. Falcons Landing’s own Jack Scharfen recently compiled 24 resident profiles for his book, On Falcons’ Wings: An Intrepid Generation. The book was published in conjunction with the community’s 10th anniversary and features stories of American women and men living in the community, including two former prisoners of war, a New York Times military correspondent and a retired Foreign Service officer who has appeared in 24 movies.

“It was a good feeling to be finished with the book,” said Jack. “It took a lot of time, but I won’t call it work because it was always a pleasure.”

Almost all of the community’s authors said that they felt the same way when they first received their book-filled with pride and sometimes a bit relieved too.

“It took a big chunk of time out of my life,” said John Pustay, author of two books about counterinsurgency warfare in developing areas. “But it’s very gratifying when you get it between two covers.”

Mick Trainor, whose best-selling title, Cobra II, tells the inside story of the invasion and operation of Iraq in 2003, agreed.

“It’s all-consuming, and you are completely involved in the subject 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Mick, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General who has also published a book about the Gulf War, titled The Generals’ War.

As glamorous as it may be to say that they share the same community with many renowned authors, most residents said they live a simple and fulfilling life alongside friendly residents who care about each other.

Residents Frances “Bud” and Nancy Rundell, who respectively authored Still Loyal Be and Iran, Front Row Balcony, said Falcons Landing is much more than the country club landscapes, lively social calendar and mouth-watering food.

“It’s people who have a shared culture, and shared life experiences,” said Bud. “It’s difficult to articulate, but it’s something that you can just feel when you are here. It’s a bond.”

His wife Nancy gave credit to the community’s founders, who relentlessly searched the Northern Virginia area for the perfect place to build a retired Air Force community. The eventual location chosen was in Potomac Falls, Va., which tends to blend the best of rural and cosmopolitan living.

The Falcons Landing residents know a good location when they see one, as many of the authors have traveled to exotic countries during their careers. Such an author is Edwin Adams, author of Petty Destiny, a work of fiction set during the overthrow of Egypt’s King Farouk in the 1950s. He said he drew inspiration from the 30 years he spent in the Foreign Service.

“During my career I spent time mostly in Europe and North Africa, where I became acquainted with Egypt,” Edwin said. “I used that real life experience in my novel.”

So what is one to do once they’ve already finished several books, completing the marketing requirements and traveled the country on book tours? They write more books, of course!

“I’ve got two more books that I can’t wait to write,” said Kit, with a smile. “I’m 88 years old. Wish me luck!”

]]> http://www.retirement-living.com/in-retirement-they-wrote-the-book/feed/ 0