Rightsizing: Benefits of One Bedroom Living
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Health Benefits of a Retirement Community
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Acts Well-Being
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HEART &HOUSE SPRING/SUMMER 2022 • MID-SOUTH
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OUR LIFE CARE CONSULTANTS
Mid-South Region Lanier Village Estates— Julie Kuchemann Julie.Kuchemann@actslife.org
Park Pointe Village— Zachary Clinton Zachary.Clinton@actslife.org
Magnolia Trace— Jason McKnight JMcKnight@actslife.org
Tryon Estates— Moose Penfold Moose.Penfold@actslife.org
Matthews Glen— Lara Hill LHill@actslife.org 2
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA ALABAMA GEORGIA
Located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia, there’s an Acts campus near you!
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Having More By Choosing Less: The Benefits of One-Bedroom Living at Acts
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ave you already decided that a senior living community is for you, but wonder just how much space you will need? You may be surprised to hear that you may get more by choosing less—that is, get more freedom by choosing less in terms of square feet. The reality is that for many residents, a less than 600 square feet apartment in a vibrant, active Acts community provides all the space they could need. And, of course, it is significantly more affordable than a larger residence. Just how much you could save depends on the floor plan and the community, but when you take into account both the entrance fee and the difference in the monthly fee you will pay over time, the figure can be close to $100,000. That fact raises some questions worth thinking through carefully. Do you have real need and use for a second bedroom or will it become an extra retreat for the cat or maybe a place to store clothing you haven’t worn in 20 years? On the flip side, what might you choose to do with the money you could save? Take quite a nice vacation every year? Spoil the grandchildren just as much as you’d like to? Invest and leave a legacy for your children? For some, a second bedroom truly makes sense. For many others though, “rightsizing” your space opens the way to experiences that will bring far more joy into life. It’s also critical to remember that just outside your door you will have access to all the space you could want: great restaurants, fitness centers, and libraries; areas to gather and socialize with friends; places designed to nourish you in mind, body, and spirit. That means if you ever want a change of scene, you will have plenty of options—and all without the hassle of upkeep. If you're concerned about loved ones visiting, Acts communities have guest suites available. In addition, it’s worth noting that some Acts communities are currently offering discounts on one-bedrooms that make them even more attractive. There are many reasons that when it comes to your next big move, it’s smart to think small!
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Did you know you could save $100,000 over your lifetime if you move into a Lexington instead of a two-bedroom?
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“This is everything I dreamed of. It’s so friendly here.” G LO R I A , A C T S R E S I D E N T
COMMUNITY AMENITIES C LU B R O O M S F O R G AT H E R I N G OUTDOOR TRAILS FITNESS CENTER C A S U A L A N D F O R M A L R E S TA U R A N T S A RT S T U D I O S WOOD SHOPS
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The Lexington
O N E B E D R O O M / O N E B AT H
Acts Retirement-Life Communities (Acts) began modestly in 1972 with a clear mission: Providing peace of mind to seniors by being a pre-eminent provider of retirement services in a Christian atmosphere graced with Loving-Kindness. Today, the Acts organization remains
of employees and volunteers who make it
steadfast in that mission, focusing on
all possible by joining the Acts family.
meeting the needs of seniors and working
Most importantly, we are humbled by the
with our industry partners to shape the
success the organization has had thanks
future of aging services.
to the grace of God.
As we look back on 50 years, we think
This year we celebrate these memories and
about the tens of thousands of seniors we’ve
accomplishments, honor all those who helped
supported, cared for and protected. We honor
make Acts the organization it is today and
those seniors and their family members
look ahead to the possibilities of tomorrow.
who have placed their trust in Acts. We recognize the remarkable and diverse group
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. MICAH 6:8
Honoring Our History Shaping Our Future Celebrating Our Residents HISTORY OF ACTS
Acts was founded by a Pennsylvania pastor and members
of a nondenominational church who sought a new and better way of living for senior church members. Fulfilling instruction of the Scriptures, their idea was to provide independent living with a quality skilled heathcare environment if needed. It was from this vision our organization was formed as a not-for-profit, faith-based organization created to meet the needs of seniors. Using their own resources and talents, this group of visionaries built the first part of what today is known as Fort Washington Estates. The first community was an immediate success and paved the way for a new model of senior housing and care.
FOR STEVE SMITH, RETIREMENT MEANS FEWER WORRIES AND MORE TIME FOR ROAD TRIPS WITH PAM, HIS LOVELY WIFE.
ANDY SHADE HAS ANOTHER NAME FOR WESTMINSTER VILLAGE: EASY STREET.
“ There are so many activities that keep you going. Change is always in the air, which can be very exciting.” BRUCE HWANG, GRANITE FARMS ESTATES
Barbara has made her retirement a work of art. BARBARA SOWINSKI, BRITTANY POINTE ESTATES
“ Their mission is to make us happy.” GWEN BLACKWELL, NORMANDY FARMS ESTATES
2000s Acts adds a new community in Georgia and affiliate communities in Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama. While… Netflix sends you movies in the mail, “The Office” arrives from the UK, Apple launches the first iPhone, and Facebook conquers the world.
BURT JONES IS CRAFTING THE PERFECT RETIREMENT— ONE DOLLHOUSE AT A TIME.
" W HETHER WE’RE WOODWORKING, WORKING OUT, OR JUST GETTING TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AT DINNER, THIS IS A FUN PLACE.” SHING MEI HWANG
2010s Acts adds affiliate communities in Delaware, Maryland, Alabama, and New Jersey. While… Amazon launches Alexa, smart homes become a thing, and the world discovers Instagram and TikTok.
2020s The founding Christian principles and our ongoing mission continue to drive the organization forward and affirms that this is truly where Loving-Kindness lives. While… we all learn to use Zoom.
A FREE SPIRIT WHOSE MOTTO IS TO HAVE FUN, MARYANNA KELLER MARCHES TO THE BEAT OF HER OWN DRUM.
1970s Acts grows to five communities in Pennsylvania and expands into Florida. While… “All in the Family” breaks new ground on TV and chart-toppers range from the Beatles and Bowie to disco.
ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST PEGGY BOND ENVISIONED HER RETIREMENT AS A MASTERPIECE— ONE SHE’S BUSY PERFECTING EVERY DAY.
FOR JOAN ROGERS AND HER FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS, YOU COULD SAY ACTS HAD THE PERFECT PEDIGREE.
1980s Acts develops new communities in Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. While… the Commodore 64, IBM PCs, and Apple turn computers into something personal.
1990s Acts develops new communities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. While… the internet changes life forever and the dot.com economy booms (and busts).
YVONNE BROCK WORKED WITH DEPARTMENT STORES AND TOP DESIGNERS FOR YEARS AND KNOWS JUST HOW EXQUISITE LIFE SHOULD BE.
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7 WAYS
A R ET I R E M E N T C O M M U N I T Y CA N B E G O O D FO R YO U R H E A LT H
So, you're in your 70s (or thereabouts) and still healthy for the most part, aside from a few inevitable aches and pains, and you try to not let those hold you back. You're active, but getting a little tired of having to drive all over town to stay that way. And, you're doing a good job keeping up with the household chores and yard work. But, maybe you've noticed that they're a little harder to get done lately—or you’re just less interested in doing them. As you take stock of your situation and think about the way lifestyle can affect your health, it may surprise you to learn that the best prescription for your long-term well-being might well turn out to be a CCRC, a continuing care retirement community, like one of our 26 Acts Retirement-Life Communities. From body, to mind, and even spirit, CCRCs like ours are finding innovative ways to help residents achieve overall wellness. In fact, for some, this may be a chance to get healthier. Sound intriguing? If so, check out this overview of the top seven benefits CCRCs offer that have the potential to help you stay vibrant and live longer.
1. Easy Access to Healthcare
We'll start with the most obvious—but possibly most important point: CCRCs ensure you easy access to healthcare. And this isn't just for residents in assisted living and skilled nursing care, but for those in independent living too. Acts communities have wellness centers available, staffed with Nurse Practitioners ready to meet your care needs—providing services similar to those you might find at a local easy-care clinic. Imagine
having access to a primary care practitioner just down the hall. Knowing everything from treatment for a common cold to your long-term healthcare needs is available under the same roof provides peace of mind and lessens anxiety. Best of all, Acts offers Acts Life Care®, which prearranges future care services if ever needed, and lets you pay for them in today's dollars and at predictable rates. In addition, Acts’ rehabilitation programs mean that you will have convenient access to the care and support to return to your independent lifestyle if they’re ever needed. It’s worth noting that recent research reveals the tremendous value of using these services in a proactive and preventive way, to maintain and restore strength and mobility even if you haven’t suffered a serious illness or injury.
2. So Many Chances to Be Social
Research shows having active social connections in life provides numerous benefits to one's health, both physical and mental. That's right, simply having a cup of coffee with a friend on a regular basis can improve your brain function and lower the risk for dementia (Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D. Testimony before the US Senate Aging Committee, April 27, 2017). There are other benefits as well. For starters, those who stay social tend to live longer than those who isolate themselves. Also, seniors who have social support systems may also have stronger immune systems. Finally, social interaction boosts positive thoughts and decreases feelings of depression.
At an Acts community, you're never more than a few steps away from a friendly conversation and the opportunity to join a group of others who share similar interests.
Second, CCRC residents find another source of security in knowing that staff are there for them if they need help of any kind—whether it’s due to an illness or just a leaky sink.
You can even stay connected in ways that will benefit other people too, through volunteering. Options within Acts communities are numerous, and many residents even form their own groups to get involved in new ways. It’s a beautiful win-win: giving back to others while benefiting your own health and well-being.
Finally, and for some most important of all, some CCRCs provide financial security. Through life care plans like those Acts offers, your future healthcare is pre-paid. That means your nest egg is secure and you are safe from exposure to rising healthcare fees. The bottom line is that your monthly expenses are predictable—again, relieving you of the anxiety of the unknown.
3. A Sense of Security
CCRCs help residents experience security in multiple forms. First, there is the simple, all-important assurance of personal safety that comes from having someone onsite at all times, checking visitors in at the front desk or front gate. Like to travel? Simply lock your door and never give a second thought that your home and belongings will be safe and sound. Enjoy walking at night? It feels best to do so on a safe, well-lit campus with security personnel handy.
4. L ifelong Learning Opportunities
Lifelong learning and continuing education opportunities within CCRCs provide an invaluable way of staying mentally active and keeping cognitive abilities sharp. Many Acts communities partner with local colleges for classes, seminars, and projects with students, or bring in outside organizations to provide educational opportunities.
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What better time in your life to learn a skill or hobby you've always wanted to take up? We've already established that living in a CCRC frees you from the burdens of home ownership, so put that extra time to good use!
5. Spiritual Care and Support At Acts, we have always recognized that true wellness means health in mind, body, and spirit, and we offer many options for those residents who are interested in practicing their faith and growing in their religious beliefs. In fact, Acts has a full-time, nondenominational chaplain on staff at each one of its communities. Whether it is through traditional religious observances or continuing a personal journey unique to your beliefs, spiritual engagement can bring a powerful source of meaning—and wellness—in your life.
6. Good Nutrition Made Easy
As we all well know, health begins with the food we eat. More and more CCRCs, including Acts’, now have diet and nutritional counselors available for consultation, and even full-time dietitians. These dietitians and counselors can help create a nutritional plan for those with special dietary needs due to a specific condition, or simply provide tips and ideas on how to choose healthy and flavorful options. In addition, having the professional chefs of Acts prepare balanced and delicious meals in a variety of restaurants makes it far easier to eat well!
7. Fabulous Fitness Benefits
Perhaps you're a lifelong fitness fanatic. Or maybe you're looking for the chance to get back into shape. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, there's no denying that staying physically active, especially in your senior years, is extremely important. Benefits of fitness range from arthritis management to treating insomnia, and from prevention of heart disease and hypertension to decreasing risk of cancer, obesity, depression, and even dementia. Fortunately, Acts communities give you every opportunity to get and stay in shape. With fitness centers right on site, you can't look out the window and say, "It's too cold to go to the gym this morning." Plus, our communities offer classes that can open a whole new world of fitness possibilities that are both age-friendly and engaging. Yoga, for example, isn't just for the young and flexible. Swimming and aqua aerobics are low-impact exercises perfect for seniors. And trained staff are here to lead classes and guide you. So, grab a buddy and head down to the fitness center. Staying Active, Staying Well So often, residents of CCRCs comment that they've never been busier in their lives. And that’s great. By staying active, they stay strong and well and maintain their independence. (Keep using it and you won’t lose it!) So think of your move to an Acts community not just as the choice of a place to live, but also the choice of a way to live—one that can have multiple powerful benefits for your health.
Learn more about living your best life at Acts. To contact your local campus, see page 1.
Acts Well-Being A TA ST E O F ACT S
Matt’s Rhubarb Crunch
A simple, fresh recipe for Summer Ingredients
3 cups diced rhubarb 1 cup white sugar 3 tablespoons all purpose flour 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup quick oats 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 1 cup butter cut into cubes
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Chef Matt found his calling to the Culinary Arts while serving in the United States Navy. He is a graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach. Chef Matt has served Acts RetirementLife Communities for the past 25 years holding every position from Line Cook all the way to his current role of Corporate Executive Chef. He finds great satisfaction in coaching young culinarians.
M AT T H E W PETKOVIC
Corporate Executive Chef
Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a 9" x 13" baking dish. 2. In a large mixing bowl combine diced rhubarb, white sugar and 3 tablespoons of flour. Stir well and spread evenly in the baking dish and set aside. 3. In another large mixing bowl combine brown sugar, oats and 1 ½ cups of flour and mix well. Cut in the butter cubes until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the top of the rhubarb mix in the baking dish. 4. Bake in pre-heated oven for 40 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
A TWO-MINUTE TIP
From our Fitness Team Here are a couple of exercises to increase strength and improve balance and functional mobility.
LORI BACHMAN
SCAN ME
Fitness Director at Heron Point Chestertown, Maryland
A company you can count on
A name you can trust For 50 years, Acts Retirement-Life Communities has offered active seniors beautiful homes and the very best of worry-free living. It is here—on 26 lovely campuses in nine states—that residents live life to the fullest and define retirement on their own terms. A leader in the senior living field, Acts is the largest not-for-profit owner, operator, and developer of continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) in the United States. By combining active, resort-style living with the assurance of continuing care at predictable rates, our residents enjoy the value of a secure lifestyle with all the best that life has to offer.
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Discover more at (888) 570–3817 AboutActs.com/Mid-SouthHeart
420 Delaware Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034
Upcoming Events June 2022 Lunch with the Executive Directors
July 2022 Celebrating 50 Years Young
September 2022 Best Advice Resident Panel