Heart & House - Northeast - F/W 2022

Northeast Region

Brittany Pointe Estates—Ellen Mammele Ellen.Mammele@actslife.org

Fort Washington Estates—Lori Ann Dancheck LDancheck@actslife.org

Granite Farms Estates—Stacie Snow Stacie.Snow@actslife.org

Gwynedd Estates—Heiki-Lara Nyce HeikiLara.Nyce@actslife.org

Lima Estates—Michele Adams MAdams@actslife.org

Normandy Farms Estates—Kathy Morris KathyM@actslife.org

Southampton Estates—Anne White Anne.White@actslife.org

Spring House Estates—Jill Kuhn Jill.Kuhn@actslife.org

HEART & HOUSE

Heart & House is a publication of the Acts Sales & Marketing Team

For Suggestions And Comments

HeartHouse@actslife.org

Editorial Group

Lori Woodward

Chief Marketing Officer

Beth Carey

Corporate Director of Brand & Promotions

Kimberly Burke

Director of Sales

Lisa Sileo

Marketing Manager

Jill Quirk

Marketing Manager

Contributors For This Issue

Editorial

Lisa Sileo

Design

Lia Calhoun Graphic Design

Acts Resident Photography

John Warner Photography

Production

Beth Carey & Jill Quirk

Acts Mission Statement

PENNSYLVANIA

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Acts is committed to providing security and peace of mind to seniors by being a preeminent provider of retirement-life services, responsive to individual, social, personal, health and spiritual needs in a Christian atmosphere graced with Loving-Kindness, dignity, sensitivity, honesty and respect, without prejudice or preference.

Acts Retirement-Life Communities Corporate Services Center 420 Delaware Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034 www.actsretirement.org

Located in Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties, there’s an Acts campus near you!

The Best Lifestyle for Health & Happiness!

Gwen Blackwell, resident of Normandy

Farm Estates

Gwen Blackwell researched retirement communities for years until home repairs became a nuisance. A widow of 12 years, she hesitated to move because she had never lived in an apartment and loved her threestory home. She ultimately took a leap of faith.

Today, she is happy to live at Normandy Farms Estates, in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, a decision that’s helped her stay healthy, fit, active and more social than she ever imagined! “I was concerned because I’ve always been in a home of some type. This transition was like slipping on a nice pair of slippers, easy and comfortable!”

“The people who live here are special. I feel like I have picked up a new family,” Gwen said. “I have no regrets. I wake up every morning so glad that I left my house. If I were still there, I would not have this social activity. It was so easy to make friends.”

Living in the retirement community with access to the fitness center, group exercise classes, rehabilitation services and a full-time nurse practitioner also enables Gwen to stay healthy. She feels safe while enjoying

GWEN ENJOYING HER MORNING WALK AROUND CAMPUS.

Clinton & Kathryn Pettus

Bayleigh Chase RESIDENT PROFILE

two- to four-mile walks every morning on its beautiful campus, and participates in Aqua Pump, a water exercise class. “We have a wonderful gym. If you just go down and talk to the fitness director, he will set up a whole program for you with great ideas to help you,” she said.

“Everyone who works here is so wonderful and truly care about us. I really believe they think their job is to make us happy. They are there whenever we need them,” she added.

Gwen says she also is motivated to keep active because she can’t resist the temptation to overindulge at the campus restaurants. “The food is so phenomenal, I have to control myself,” she laughed.

Her envious visitors and friends also rave about the community’s professional chefs and delicious menu items. “I have a friend who says the food here is better than a lot of the high-end restaurants he’s been to,”

Gwen said, “We just had a lobster bake and oh my goodness, it’s amazing. In fact, my youngest daughter loves to visit me because the restaurants are so great.”

“I usually tell people, if you’re smart, you’ll visit several communities, not just Acts, and be aware that ‘continuing care’ does not necessarily mean they’ll take care of you for the same cost in different situations.”

Gwen advises retirees to be mindful of how other senior living communities may impose additional fees for higher levels of care. “My prices are reasonable with outstanding care—private rooms for skilled nursing and assisted living, and also memory care,” Gwen said.

“My children are relieved I live here. My older daughter has told me, ‘I can’t tell you what a load this is off my shoulders.’ They are just so happy that I’m happy.”

Katherine Jeter Abi & Ted Villafana

Tryon Estates RESIDENT PROFILE

St. Andrews Estates RESIDENT PROFILE

7 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY DOWNSIZING!

Most people realize that at some point they'll have to downsize and simplify their living. It's one of life's major transitions that received a negative connotation somewhere along the way.

Maybe it's because of the work involved. Maybe it's the assumption the project will come with too much stress and anxiety. But ask yourself this: When have you ever been afraid of a little work in life? Here are some great tips for making “rightsizing” easier.

We know what you're thinking: why “Rightsizing?” Truth is—downsizing is not a blanket process. It's going to be unique for everyone. It needs to be right for that individual or that couple. Rightsizing is the first step in moving to a smaller space. It means establishing a living space that meets today’s needs, which include comfort, safety and personality. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or daunting. Just ask our residents…

“We are very comfortable and happy after downsizing,” said Susan Fischer, a resident of Lima Estates in Media, Pennsylvania. She and her husband sold their large five-bedroom home in New Jersey. “You know the saying ‘less is more’ and it really is true. You think you need everything and above, but you really don’t because there’s so much to do here.”

“Moving into a smaller place, you experience the most freeing feeling. We spent most of our lives collecting things to fill up rooms in bigger homes,” said Shirley White, a resident who moved into Matthews Glen in Matthews, North Carolina last December. “You don’t really need all that stuff

because once you get rid of it, you will realize that’s all it was—stuff.”

Think of all the excitement (and liberation) that can come with this transition. It's an adventure to embark on such a project, and adventures always come with a little adrenaline rush. Remember those butterflies you felt before moving into your college dorm, your first apartment or your first home? It's a good bet that you'll get those same butterflies moving into an amenitiesfilled retirement community with countless activities! Here are seven tips for organizing and/or downsizing your life to make your cozier space work wonderfully for you.

1. Make sure what you keep is really something you can't live without. Is everything you own worthy of a space in your home? Look at each item and categorize it: practical and useful, beautiful and inspiring, or one of a selected number of things you keep because of the memories associated. Surround yourself with things that make your heart sing or make your life easier. Just OK is not OK—don't keep stuff that takes up valuable space!

2. Regarding the sentimental stuff: Sometimes it’s helpful to take a picture of an item and let the original go. Keeping antique furniture that does not fit your decor, style or taste for sentimental value will always stick out like a sore thumb. If no other family member is interested, keep the picture of it and donate it to a good cause.

3. Make use of all the space you have. Sometimes that means adding a shelf to a cabinet, so the space can be used better. Sometimes that means putting artwork on the inside of cabinet doors and/or adding hooks and jewelry hangers to walls. Find special sized wire wall storage or shelf baskets to organize or hang the most used items.

4. Make sure all furniture serves a multi-function. You may only have room for one table, which may have to double as a coffee table, task table, office workspace and meals table. Find a desk that can be closed at night to disguise work if it is out in the middle of your living space. Find a hall organizer to put at the front door with specific bins to collect keys, bags, coats and shoes. Sofas and chairs can also be converted to sleeper beds if you no longer have a guest room. Wicker baskets are attractive storage containers that can be slipped under things and stacked on shelves. Cubes can double as storage or extra seating.

5. Bathrooms should have only what you use each day.

In any bathroom, you should have one wicker basket to pull out for all your makeup, another one for all hair appliances and a drawer for brushes, combs and other essentials. Pull them out when using them and then store in cabinet or drawers the rest of the time. You know what you use regularly and like, so only buy what you need and discard the rest, and resist taking samples from hotels.

6. Limit the amount of space you're willing to give to any type of item: Keep only the books that fit on the bookshelf; keep only the greeting cards that fit in the appropriately sized box or what you designate to keep for that kind of memorabilia. Get serious about

your closet. Statistics show that we wear only 20 percent of the clothing in our closet 80 percent of the time.

7. Limit your collections. You may love crystal and previously had room to display all of these wonderful gems, but it may clutter a smaller place. Box them up and tuck them safely under the bed where you could get to them easily. You can display a handful and rotate them out every few weeks. You can still enjoy them, but this way you really see them because the display always looks fresh and interesting.

Also remember the advantage of living at a retirement community where all the many amenities, gathering spaces, sports and fitness areas, and restaurants are an extension of your apartment. Consider limiting kitchen items, serving trays and platters because you’ll be cooking far less.

“We were used to entertaining at a large scale, often 30–40 people at a time. We had a lot of trays, bowls, four or five sets of dishes,” said Mary Alice Trotter, a resident of Park Pointe Village in Rock Hill, South Carolina, “We still love to entertain and enjoy people in our home, we just do it a little differently, hosting two to four people at a time.” Residents can also entertain large parties in their community’s upscale private dining areas which can be reserved for special occasions and celebrations.

“Living simply and minimalistic is trendy right now. It’s never too early to start downsizing,” said Susan Mooney, Vice President of Client Experience at Wayforth. Susan has been part of the senior move management industry helping clients maximize their living space for more than 15 years. “Does it bring you joy? Hold onto your favorites and let the rest of it go.”

Acts Well-Being

A TASTE OF ACTS

Chef Dan Starbird’s Famous Pumpkin Pecan Bars

A TASTE OF ACTS

Chef Dan Starbird’s Famous Pumpkin Pecan Bars

A flavorful fall recipe you can prepare at home from our chef at Tyron Estates.

A flavorful fall recipe you can prepare at home from our chef at Tryon Estates.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" x 9" pan.

Directions

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup cream cheese

1 box yellow cake mix

½ cup granulated sugar

1 cup cream cheese

1 cup canned pumpkin

½ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

½ cup of chopped pecans

2 large eggs

½ cup of chopped pecans

A TWO-MINUTE TIP From our Fitness Team

Here are a few exercises to get you moving and improve your brain health.

Here are a few exercises to get you moving and improve your brain health.

2. Beat butter for 1 ½ minutes. Add cake mix and beat on low until well combined. Reserve ⅓ of mixture for bar topping.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" x 9" pan.

2. Beat butter for 1 ½ minutes. Add cake mix and beat on low until well combined. Reserve ⅓ of mixture for bar topping.

3. Press remaining mixture evenly in pan bottom, approximately ½" thick.

3. Press remaining mixture evenly in pan bottom, approximately ½" thick.

4. Mix cream cheese and sugar in bowl on low for 2 minutes.

4. Mix cream cheese and sugar in bowl on low for 2 minutes.

5. Add pumpkin, eggs, vanilla and spice. Mix on low for 1 minute, scrape side of bowl and continue at medium speed for 2 minutes.

5. Add pumpkin, eggs, vanilla and spice. Mix on low for 1 minute, scrape side of bowl and continue at medium speed for 2 minutes.

6. Spread pumpkin and cheese mixture to cover base in pan.

6. Spread pumpkin and cheese mixture to cover base in pan.

7. Pour reserve base mixture over top and sprinkle pecans evenly over.

7. Pour reserve base mixture over top and sprinkle pecans evenly over.

8. Bake 35–45 minutes until golden brown and center is set. Remove from oven; cool completely on wire rack and refrigerate.

8. Bake 35–45 minutes until golden brown and center is set. Remove from oven; cool completely on wire rack and refrigerate.

Makes 16 bars and serves 10–16 people. These bars freeze well.

Makes 16 bars and serves 10–16 people. These bars freeze well.

A TWO-MINUTE TIP From our Fitness Team SCAN

THERESA HORN Fitness Director at The Evergreens in Moorestown, NJ

THERESA HORN Fitness Director at The Evergreens in Moorestown, NJ

As

we celebrate

Years of loving kindness, we salute our residents who remind us every day that age is just a number.