Testing the waters of retirement living

In November 2010, Greenspring, an Erickson Living community in Springfield, Va., offered a new program—Live the Life—that actually lets potential residents enrolled on its priority waiting list experience “practice” living in a retirement community. By checking into Greenspring for a one-night stay, they get to live the services and amenities of the community.

After check-in, the Live the Life coordinator prepares an itinerary designed around the individual(s), including complimentary meal cards and a menu of other exciting activities. Two of Greenspring’s overnight guests were Gwen Hays and Clyde Humphrey, a couple who live on and operated a llama farm in Virginia. In February 2011, they decided to see what Greenspring is all about.

“We sampled different restaurants, watched the line dancing group and watched classes in the pool area and fitness center,” says Hays. “We wanted to see a real apartment, real people and real activities.”

The experience convinced the couple to make the move. In April, Hays and Humphrey, along with their prized Kenyan giraffe, moved into Greenspring and continue to enjoy the amenities it offers. The couple previously lived on a large property by a river, so the on-campus wooded trail that winds along the Accotink Creek is a particular source of enjoyment.

Other Erickson communities, like Ashby Ponds, have developed their own versions of Live the Life. While the program varies at each location, the satisfaction and excitement prospective residents experience is a win-win for them and Erickson Living communities.

A partnership for nurses

NADONA/LTC and NurseTogether.com, a free online community for nursing professionals, announced a strategic partnership this week to provide NADONA/LTC members access to a variety of continuing education courses, web-based career tools and membership benefits through NurseTogether.com. In turn, four NADONA/LTC certification programs and selected articles from The Director, NADONA’s quarterly journal, will be available to members of NurseTogether.com through its content library.

And an additional bonus: NurseTogether.com and NADONA/LTC are expected to perform live online chat sessions and Q&As with national LTC nursing leaders on the NurseTogether.com site.

Share your “Good Stuff.” Send information on your achievements, outstanding personnel, inspirational residents, and more to Executive Editor Sandra Hoban at shoban@iadvanceseniorcare.com .

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.