Simpson at Jenner’s Pond

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

On a recent August morning, a reporter arrived at the Jenner’s Pond with the intention of finding the retirement community’s truest definition.

He drove through its quaint neighborhoods of cottages and apartments, past its well-manicured gardens bursting with the foliage of the season, and beyond the tranquility of smallish ponds that dot its tranquil landscape.

The reporter entered the Alison Community Center and there he spoke with a 22-year resident who spoke of Jenner’s Pond as a community of friendships.

He met a former veterinarian from Virginia who moved to a cottage overlooking Sycamore Pond with his wife eight months before, who praised Jenner’s Pond for the friendliness and compassion of its staff.

He talked to a former high school principal who told him that every time he drives through the village, those he passes by offer him a friendly wave.

So there it was, his answer, that all along its lush and peaceful 88 acres – from the winding latticework of its trails to its opened doors of opportunity and – the truest definition of Jenner’s Pond is found in the 300 residents who have made a beautiful life decision to call it Home.

“When I first meet with prospective residents, I ask them to ask questions of the experts – the people who already call Jenner’s Pond their home,” said Dawn Lytle, director of sales and marketing. “It’s not easy to decide to move from a home that you may have owned and lived in for the last 40 to 50 years and where you raised your family, nor is it easy to admit that you are getting older, but we are here to help with that process. What I tell our prospective residents is, ‘Can you see yourself living here? Are these the kinds of people you could see yourself becoming friends with?’”

At Jenner’s Pond, its mission is simple: to offer the highest level of senior care available, with living options and medical attention that give residents and their families the peace-of-mind needed when making such a major decision. For those choosing independent living, apartment floor plans offer one- and two-bedroom layouts with full kitchens, private balconies, dens, patios and sunrooms up to 2,287 square feet, while cottages provide floor plans for up to 3,600 square feet. For those choosing assisted living, the Ruston Residence provides personalized assistance and access to a full continuum of health care services, including health and wellness programs, scheduled transportation, and assistance with bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, as well as medication and health monitoring. The Lavender Lane Memory Support provides specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s, with programs and accommodations designed to optimize their abilities and their safety. Lavender Lane at The Ruston Residence provides specialized memory care for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia in a safe, supportive household atmosphere designed to help residents maintain their dignity and a sense of independence. Its specially-trained team conducts a comprehensive initial assessment to ensure that individual needs are met with customized Photos courtesy of Jenner’s Pond The mission of Jenner’s Pond is to offer the highest level of senior care available, with living options and medical attention that give care plans that range from rehabilitation services includresidents and their families a great peace-of-mind. ing speech, occupational, and

physical therapies, as well as skilled nursing for seniors who need more help than their family or present caregiver can give. For those who need temporary help, its respite care provides support and healthcare management 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jenner’s Pond also offers an extensive home care option that allows couples and individuals to receive skilled assistance while still living in their home -- from short one-hour time periods to 24-7 care – who take care of tasks like meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, errands and grocery shopping, medication reminders, bathing, dressing, and grooming. Scheduling can range from short, one-hour blocks to 24/7 home care.

At Jenner’s Pond, attention to the health and well-being is a full-time occupation. Residents can attend wellness programs that include one-on-one meetings with personal trainers and a massage therapist; working out in a stateof-the-art fitness area; or just joining walking groups who traverse the beautiful campus throughout the year.

“Our entire family of staff takes pride in working in a full continuum of care with our residents, to the point where they feel like an extension of our own family,” Lytle said. “For those whose families happen to live a distance from them here, it is important that they receive that same caring and nurturing that they receive from their loved ones.

“It is so common to see our staff walk up to our residents with memory or mobility issues and simply ask them, ‘How is your day going?’ Maybe they are in pain, or maybe they miss their family, and a kind word can go a long way.”

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While the centerpiece of Simpson at Jenner’s Pond remains in its commitment to a person-directed and wellness-oriented approach to health and wellness for its residents, it also led by the intangible quality of resident engagement. In addition to 40 activity clubs, the Jenner’s Pond social calendar is a monthly roster of on- and off-campus events ranging from seeing a Happy Hour live performance at Morries’ Pub or traveling to Philadelphia to catch a performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra. “I recently spoke to a resident who told me that he was on his way to a Movie Committee meeting, and then to the Investment Club and from there, to practice wee bowling with a few of his friends at Jenner’s Pond – all in the same day,” said. “We have a very active calendar that goes out to each of our residents every month, so that they can plan on what they wish to do every day and every week, or not do.

“That’s the freedom of Jenner’s Pond. You can pick and choose how you want to design your schedule.”

If the truest definition of Jenner’s Pond is found in its people, then its heart is woven within the philosophy of the Simpson Foundation. Grounded from the faith of the Methodist women who founded Simpson House in 1865, the foundation secures charitable support from businesses, corporations and individuals to provide valuable care and life-enhancing services for seniors of all economic backgrounds, cultures and religious beliefs.

“In the end, Jenner’s Pond is best defined by our people – those who live here, those who help support our mission and those who provide care here,” Lytle said. “Together, they have made it easy for those making those tough life decisions to move to Jenner’s Pond and call it home.”

To learn more about Jenner’s Pond, visit www.JennersPond.org or www.simpsonsenior.org.