Downsizing? A dirty word? Not to these active seniors in the region’s retirement and 55+ communities.Though it meant uprooting from homes they loved, each found new homes that nurture this next phase in life’s journey. They pursue their passions with even more vigor, now that there’s time, and they continue to find purpose in helping others.
Edith Wagner
Country Meadows of Hershey
The move:
For 10 years after the death of her husband David, Edith Wagner lived alone in West Milford, New Jersey. The kids urged her to move near one of them, and she finally decided “to make the move while I was still able to make the decision.” She looked at several communities–“It felt almost like choosing a college”–and chose a one-bedroom apartment at the “warm and comfortable” Country Meadows of Hershey.
Living the life:
Edith is everywhere. She serves on the welcoming and party committees, plays pinochle, attends Bible study and takes tai chi and mobility classes. She sees plays and concerts at Hershey Playhouse and Hershey Theatre. She and Max, her long-haired Chihuahua, walk on Derry Township’s serene recreational trail. “It’s the best of both worlds,” she says. “You’ve got the comfort of a nice apartment and the bus that will take you to these different things.”
Downsizing tips:
“You shed a few tears and go on with it. You just look through everything and say, ‘ This has memories, but I can take the memories with me’ and kind of let it go.” A daughter took some prized possessions, and Edith kept others, such as letters from her husband. “The rest,” says Wagner, “was just stuff.”
Home styles available:
Country Meadows of Hershey, like all Country Meadows campuses, offers apartments for independent living, rentable monthly without large upfront fees (www.countrymeadows.com). They include efficiencies as well as one- and two-bedroom spaces.
Amenities:
The newly renovated main building includes a beautiful bistro for casual lunches. The “very active” fitness program features two full-time instructors who conduct a walking program, balance classes, weight training, fall prevention and other wellness activities, says regional marketing manager Kathy Cox. Residents are active in planning their own activities–movie nights, trips and holiday parties. They also enjoy free membership at the bustling Mohler Senior Center.
Point of pride:
The Leader family, owner of Country Meadows, assures residents “the quality of care and quality of living that they deserve and they’re promised,” says Cox. They know many residents personally and are always accessible. “When I help someone move in, I really do feel like they’re joining the family.”
Tom + Elizabeth Dodge
Willow Valley Communities
The move:
After the children were grown, the Dodges almost signed with a new-ish North Carolina community, but they couldn’t get answers to questions about the community’s fiscal health. “That’s a big no-no,” says Elizabeth. “We could afford what [Willow Valley] offered, and what they offered was what we wanted.”
Living the life:
The Dodges moved into a 925-square-foot apartment while waiting for a larger villa, but soon, “the light bulb went on,” says Elizabeth. They saved their money by staying in the apartment, quite happily. Their visitors stay in Willow Valley’s guest accommodations, so the Dodges aren’t paying for empty space. Fitness enthusiast Tom swims at The Clubhouse. Both enjoy Bible study and fellowship groups. And they love the food. “It is delicious,” says Elizabeth. “Basically, I don’t cook anymore. We enjoy that immensely.”
Downsizing tips:
“You live with lists,” says Elizabeth. “You organize every item you have, scrutinize it, and what you think you won’t use, you try to find homes for.” Things the kids didn’t want went to Goodwill. Final items went to Willow Valley’s auction and semi-annual garage sales. When it was over, she rewarded herself by getting a massage. “That was the end,” she says, “and we’ve been living happily ever after.”
Home styles available:
Willow Valley’s two campuses on 210 acres offer apartments, villas and townhomes–90 different floor plans in all (www.willowvalleycommunities.org). “We have residences for almost any desire or budget,” says marketing and public relations coordinator Maureen Leader. Luxury apartments coming in 2017 will offer farmland views on one side and the Lancaster cityscape on the other.
Amenities:
There are 11 distinctive dining venues, including the farm-fresh Local Table at Willow Valley’s Clubhouse, which is overseen by well-known Lancaster sommelier Chris Trendler, director of beverage and culinary excellence. The Clubhouse’s vintage arcade, bowling alley and outdoor pool promote family fun. Fishing ponds, gazebos, walking paths, tennis courts and an al fresco café encourage outdoor living.
Point of pride:
Willow Valley’s philosophy, “Life Lived Forward,” means continued pursuit of favorite activities and new quests. Willow Valley’s competitive Senior Games team sent 14 athletes to the 2015 nationals. While the athletically inclined pursue their passion for fitness, others might indulge their love for music or singing or painting or art, says Leader. Recently, some residents helped donate new sneakers to Lancaster’s children in need. She adds, “People are engaged in pursuing their passions, and we support them.”
Lynne + Terry Radcliffe
The Farmstead at Homestead Village
The move:
Lynne and Terry Radcliffe realized it was time to downsize “before it would be too difficult because of health problems, or before it would put the responsibility on our children,” says Lynne. The Farmstead at Homestead Village, near their Lancaster-area home, fit their needs–close to downtown Lancaster, familiar shopping venues and major highways
(www.discoverfarmstead.org, www.homesteadvillage.org). The sun porch on their one story, two-bedroom home will be “a sunny retreat,”
says Lynne.
Living the life:
The Radcliffes expect to take full advantage of Homestead Village's amenities, such as the fitness center and dining at Plow and Pineapple. Terry volunteers to rate golf courses throughout the region, so Homestead Village’s accessibility makes travel easy. Lynne, a School District of Lancaster retiree, appreciates Homestead Village’s community ties
and volunteers to help kids in need.
Downsizing tips:
The basement means the Radcliffes will be able to store holiday decorations and other items, including those that haven’t made a definitive keep or get-rid-of list. “There are some things you can live without,” says Lynne, “and others you wonder, ‘Do I want to hold onto this and keep it and use it later?’”
Home styles available:
The Farmstead at Homestead Village, a community of green space and cobblestone curbs, will open mid-2016. Four carriage home models range from 1,500 square feet to 2,257 square feet, with airy floorplans and options such as sunrooms and, on some lots and models, basements–perfect for downsizers who can’t part with their Christmas decorations. Homestead Village apartments, cottages and villas are also available.
Amenities:
Farmstead Village residents enjoy all the amenities of Homestead Village–a pool, gym and woodshop in a restored barn. Residents take excursions to cultural events, wildlife areas and historic sites. Meals at Plow and Pineapple include gluten-free and vegetarian options prepared in consultation with residents.
Point of pride:
Life enrichment. Residents engage in a rich menu of pursuits that enlighten and fulfill. They create their own music with the Homestead Harmony Chorale or enjoy performances right on campus through the Homestead Concert Series. They discuss history in roundtable discussions, distribute hats and mittens for children in need and volunteer to operate the Corner Gift Shoppe, where proceeds benefit residents.
Janet Polak
Presbyterian Senior Living: Green Ridge Village
The move:
For the last three years of Robert Polak’s life, he and his wife Janet lived their dream of a log home in the mountains of New York. After his death, Janet visited a friend at Presbyterian Senior Living’s Green Ridge Village. It had everything she loved–“a country feel and a nice cottage,” plus “bright, brilliant” residents.
Living the life:
Volunteering introduced Janet to village residents. For more than seven years, she edited the weekly newsletter. She served on the welcome committee and the executive committee. She’s “in the process of learning” how to work in the village thrift shop. Janet and her rescue dog Casey love hibernating
in the winter and sitting outside in their private, green backyard during nice weather.
Downsizing tips:
Hire a downsizing service. They calculated what would fit in Janet’s cottage and packed and unpacked her things. The kids put stickers on items they wanted, and everything else went to Green Ridge Village’s thrift shop. If a friend admired anything, Janet immediately gifted it to them. “It makes you feel good inside that it’s not thrown away,” she says.
Home styles available:
There are 89 one- and two-bedroom cottages. With the help of a professional designer, residents can upgrade décor, renovate kitchens and other spaces, and build additions such as playrooms for the grandkids or home offices. To accommodate all income and lifestyle ranges, Green Ridge Village also offers 35 apartments and eight arts-and-crafts-style lodge homes (www.greenridgevillage.org).
Amenities:
The 350-acre campus includes six miles of trails, a meadow and Big Spring Creek winding through for trout fishing enthusiasts. Cottages back up to the woods, making sunrooms a popular addition. The Aquatic and Fitness Center offers wellness programs. Plans for the Bistro and Fireside Dining Room range from one or two meals a week to complete dining.
Point of pride:
In a word: community. Many residents come from the military or clergy, accustomed to “creating community wherever they are,” says Shelly Northcott, sales director of independent living. “It’s a group of people full of energy, full of vitality. They form a network and a sense of community with each other that is very much like family.”
Sandy + Hank Langknecht
The Village at Utz Terrace
The Move:
The 2008 downturn prompted a close look at spending. Because Hank was feeling the late effects of childhood polio, they were paying the high costs of upkeep on their Bucks County home. It was time, says Sandy Langknecht, to “look around and see where we fit.” The Village at Utz Terrace checked all the boxes: small community, fully accessible home, optional meal plan and near a daughter in Gettysburg.
Living the life:
Before a stroke limited Hank’s ability to travel, the Langknechts took advantage of nearly every trip offered. Now, they enjoy village events, and he leads men’s Bible study. She volunteers in the resident-run country store and sings in the choir, providing music for veterans’ programs and entertaining residents in skilled care. “You get a lot more out of things when you do them for someone else,” says Langknecht.
Downsizing tips:
Measure the new space, decide what you can bring and put emotions aside. When you settle in, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the change sooner. Move before the kids “have to come and drag you out of the house kicking and screaming,” says Sandy. “That’s a legacy you leave to them.”
Home styles available:
There are 74 two-bedroom cottages with open floor plans. Before move-in, new residents can choose new fixtures and finishes, worth an allotted amount covered by Spiritrust (www.spiritrustlutheran.org). Open porches and small, medium or large sunrooms are available. All cottages have one- or two-car garages. Another 38 apartments are also available.
Amenities:
In this pet-friendly community, furry friends can romp in the fenced dog park. A three-and-a-half-mile trail winds past the property’s original springhouse. Residents don’t have to buy meal plans but can enjoy dining in the café or restaurant. Fitness programs and a residential wellness nurse help residents stay healthy and age in place.
Point of pride:
The family feel among residents and staff. “As people come here and go through orientation, they see the interactions between staff and residents, and it almost becomes infectious,” says Lori Worley, director of senior living, sales and marketing. “You want to be a part of that.”
