SPRING • SUMMER 2022
6401 Martins Mill Road Philadelphia, PA 19111
A newsletter for friends of The Philadelphia Protestant Home
PPHFamily.org
Discover PPH’s Treasures
From campus treasures to resident stories, see what’s blooming at PPH this season!
T
he PPH campus sits on just over 13 acres, and there is much to explore. You may not even notice its hidden gems (both indoors and outdoors) until you spend time walking around the beautifully landscaped grounds. One of the many benefits of living at PPH is that your living space extends far beyond your apartment door!
Greenhouse The PPH greenhouse is a tranquil retreat that offers “dirt therapy.” Our resident and outside volunteers transplant growing seedlings, bring ailing species back to life and offer plants for sale — using the donations they receive to fund their efforts.
At first glance, you will spot many areas you might expect in a community, such as lounges, dining spaces and even a cute gift shop. As you explore, a few more unique features will capture your attention. Some of PPH’s many sparkling treasures are described below:
Tabor Market A delightful little shop staffed by residents, Tabor Market offers a wide array of small grocery items as well as household items. If the market does not carry something you desire, our dining staff will gladly accommodate your needs and order an item for you.
Bowling Alley! Yes, PPH has two bowling lanes. This offering is fairly unique, as PPH is one of only a handful of senior living communities that offer bowling as part of their fitness and wellness schedule! Residents enjoy this American favorite and are also able to book the lanes for their family and friends on the weekend.
A newsletter for friends of The Philadelphia Protestant Home
In This Issue SPRING | SUMMER 2022 Discover PPH’s Treasures
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From the Desk of the CEO
Although PPH has a lovely arts and crafts area where residents participate in creative projects, the Art Studio is entirely different. Lately, the focus of the space has gravitated to glass arts. Two of our residents enjoy creating small (and sometimes large) glass art masterpieces. Others use the studio to paint and work on tapestries. This space is bright and airy, ready for our residents to flex their creativity!
Shannon Asks ... Home Sweet Home PPHealthy: Four Ways to Express Gratitude Upcoming Events
Art Studio
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Koi Pond One of our most picturesque outdoor areas is the koi pond. The pond started out with 11 fish and has grown (some 17 years later) to house over 100 fish! Residents, their friends and family, and many staff members enjoy visiting the fish (and one turtle) on a daily basis to feed them, or simply to enjoy time outside.
“One of the many benefits of living at PPH is that your living space extends far beyond your apartment door!” Resident Gardens Our resident gardeners enjoy exercising their green thumbs in one of the many garden beds that are available for them to grow and harvest their own produce. It is not uncommon to see the “fruits” (and vegetables) of their labor around campus as they share their bounty. It’s also another opportunity to enjoy “dirt therapy” and the camaraderie of neighbors. There are many more special treasures to find at PPH. We hope you visit soon and discover them for yourself!
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The Philadelphia Protestant Home | PPHFamily.org
Page 1
FROM THE DESK
of the CEO
A
s PPH (and the world) move forward from the uncertainty of the past two years, we are thrilled to welcome spring — a traditional time of renewal.
There is a buzz of energy around the PPH campus as the first signs of spring emerge and residents once again enjoy our many gardens and outdoor spaces. We are looking forward to bocce games, salsa classes, and dining alfresco! We’re excited to announce that we have engaged in a master planning process that will help shape the future of our 132-year-old senior living community. Building on our strong history of serving Philadelphia area seniors, PPH will engage architects and key leadership team members to evaluate and update several areas of our campus. So that we may share the many opportunities we have to offer, PPH remains open to tours. If you are interested or know someone who might be, call 215-697-8086 to schedule a visit. You can also tour PPH virtually with our new virtual tour feature on our website: pphfamily.org/senior-living/virtual-tour/
John Dubyk President & CEO
HOME SWEET HOME WITH...
I
Cheryl Cherrington
I always knew I would end up living at PPH. For the past 26 years, I have been the PPH Volunteer Coordinator, and I’ve seen what it is like to live here. TWO BE DROO M CLUB , 920 SF The residents are loved and cared for. When my husband Ted and I moved here in 2016, we needed an apartment that would make it easier for him to move around in his motorized wheelchair. PPH had two connected studio club apartments and they knocked down the walls to make a two-bedroom apartment that would serve our needs. It was and still is perfect. In 2019, my husband moved to our healthcare facility, where he had excellent care. The building connected to our independent living building, so visiting him was easy. PPH has everything anyone could ever want. Living here is like being on a perpetual vacation. I really love where I live.
Shannon Asks Which community fits your personality? Use your five senses to find out. When you embark on your senior living search, you’ll quickly discover many similarities in communities. You’ll compare the brochures and notice that most have fitness and dining programs, floor plan options, and a social calendar. You’ll arm yourself with questions and get ready to visit. Your questions may cover topics like pricing, floor plan sizes and layouts, future care, services and amenities, and social opportunities. It is critical that you visit a community before deciding to move there. Use your five senses while walking around to see if it is the right fit for you: Your SIGHT The Philadelphia Protestant Home | PPHFamily.org
“
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will help you notice whether or not the community is well-kept and clean, as well as visually appealing. Your TASTE will help you judge the cuisine. Your SMELL will help you detect fresh flowers blooming in the spring and delicious smells of the kitchen year-round. Your TOUCH can help you notice what is around you: Is the temperature of the community comfortable? Are the materials used in the residences — from wall coverings to countertops to flooring — of good quality? Use your HEARING to listen for the sounds of laughter and conversation. Most importantly, make sure you are hearing direct answers to your questions. Page 2
Upcoming
PPHealthy with Maureen Solomon, PPH Wellness Center Director
Four Ways to Express
Gratitude*
G Maureen Solomon
ratitude may come more naturally during the holidays, but it doesn’t need to be saved for one season. Consider establishing an intentional gratitude practice to regularly acknowledge the people, places, and moments that make your life meaningful. In doing so, you may find yourself feeling generally happier and better equipped to rebound from hard times in the months ahead. These four ideas are ways to cultivate and express appreciation all year long.
Write Letters:
Instant digital communication has sadly replaced writing and mailing a physical message — which is worth a thousand emoji. Spread your gratitude far and wide by taking the time to mail a letter each month to someone in your life.
Events Spring into a new life at PPH! Mark your calendar for one or both of these complimentary spring events.
“The Cure for Clutter: Downsizing 101” Get insider downsizing secrets from Marlene Stocks of Senior Transition Services.
Tuesday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m.
Meditate:
Cultivating a deeper awareness of your sense of appreciation is a powerful way to promote happiness, connect with your core values, and reduce stress.
Keep a Journal:
Research suggests that maintaining a gratitude journal can ease anxiety and boost your mood. If long-form writing isn’t your thing, you can draw, create collages, or simply jot down meaningful words or phrases.
Fill a Jar:
It’s like a swear jar, but instead of collecting fines for verbal slipups, a gratitude jar captures memorable moments, experiences, and events. You can record these on slips of paper or toss in mementos. When you’re feeling overwhelmed or depleted, reach into the jar, and read a note or two. *information taken from “Experience Life” Magazine.
The Philadelphia Protestant Home | PPHFamily.org
“Preparing Your Home for Sale in a Seller’s Market” Hear advice on how to sell your house faster from Senior Real Estate Specialists Brian Quigley and Mindy Haggerty.
Tuesday, May 24, at 11 a.m.
To learn more and RSVP, visit PPHFamily.org/events or call 215-344-7760. Page 3