livingsmart A SmartLife VIA Willow Valley Publication
Lifestyle Stories of the
Dynamic People With the Security of SmartLife Aging in Place — On Their Own Terms —
issue 5
livingsmart Welcome to
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At SmartLife VIA Willow Valley, we believe one of the greatest gifts of aging today is choice. Whether you prefer the active lifestyle of a retirement community or the comfort of remaining in the home you love, the most important thing is having the confidence to choose the path that is right for you. That philosophy is at the heart of SmartLife. As a true Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program, SmartLife provides a plan for future healthcare needs while allowing Members to remain independent at home. It offers peace of mind not only for Members, but also for their loved ones. Since 2014, SmartLife has helped older adults age confidently in place, and today, we are more than 500 active Members strong, serving individuals throughout Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, York, and Chester counties. Just as importantly, SmartLife is backed by the 42-year tradition of excellence, innovation, and financial stability of Willow Valley Communities, a premier 55+ community, providing the reassurance that comes from being part of one of the region’s most trusted senior living organizations. As SmartLife continues to grow, so do the benefits available to our Members. From access to Willow Valley Communities amenities and our new concierge service to the personalized support provided by our Lifecare Coordinators, we remain committed to helping Members live with confidence, independence, and readiness. As you’ll read later on, our Lifecare Coordinators are truly the heart and soul of SmartLife. Also in this issue of Living Smart, you’ll meet Members who have chosen to take a proactive approach to the future. Their stories demonstrate a simple truth: When people have both choices and a plan, they are better prepared to embrace the opportunities — and navigate the challenges — that come with aging. Thank you for being part of the SmartLife community. We are honored to help you embrace each day with confidence, purpose, and the comfort of knowing you’re prepared for whatever comes next.
Warm regards,
Pamela Bailey, FNP-BC Vice President of Health & Wellness Willow Valley Communities
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Contents Stories
03 | BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Pat and Dotti Tedesco are enjoying life now while planning ahead.
05 | THE HEART OF SMARTLIFE
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Lifecare Coordinators set SmartLife apart. Meet their team lead, Megan Henderson.
07 | NEW MEMBERS FIND PROTECTION CLOSE TO HOME Meet the Burlings, two of SmartLife’s first Chester County Members.
09 | SECURING TOMORROW WHILE LIVING TODAY
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Choosing the right Continuing Care at Home program takes care of today’s health changes while protecting your independence, your family, and your legacy.
11 | A FOUNDATION OF TRUST SmartLife Members place their trust in a plan for today, and in the organization standing behind it for tomorrow.
13 | HOPE REVEALED Willow Valley Communities recently celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center.
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The Best of Both Worlds How SmartLife Helps the Tedescos Stay in the Home They Love
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For Pat and Dotti Tedesco, home is more than a place — it reflects more than 40 years of life together.
Their Lancaster County home, just a few miles from Willow Valley Communities, is filled with what matters most: Pat’s woodworking shop, where he crafts furniture by hand; Dotti’s creative studio for custom decals and scrapbooking; and decades of memories shared with family and friends. After more than 20 years in the home they designed and still love, they faced a familiar question: Move or stay? With SmartLife VIA Willow Valley, they found a third option. This membership-based Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program allows older adults to remain in their homes while securing coordinated care and financial protection for the future. Serving Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, York, and Chester counties, SmartLife offers a proactive approach centered on independence, stability, and peace of mind. Unlike traditional long-term care insurance or fee-forservice home care, SmartLife follows a Type A Lifecare model typically found in continuing care retirement
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communities (CCRCs). Members stay at home while gaining access to coordinated care, supportive services, and predictable costs if health needs change. At its core, SmartLife provides the freedom to live fully today while planning wisely for tomorrow. Why Continuing Care at Home Matters As people live longer, many prefer to remain in familiar surroundings, close to their routines and communities. At the same time, families are often geographically dispersed, making care decisions more complicated when needs arise. Continuing Care at Home shifts care planning from being reactive to proactive. Instead of scrambling after a fall, illness, or hospitalization, Members establish a trusted support system in advance. Each SmartLife Member is paired with a dedicated Lifecare Coordinator, an experienced advocate who helps navigate healthcare decisions and arrange services, from in-home assistance to rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or memory care. This personalized approach reduces stress and ensures care aligns with each Member’s wishes.
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Financial predictability is another cornerstone of SmartLife. Even as care needs increase, Members benefit from stability that helps protect assets and reduce uncertainty for families.
“We walk every day,” Dotti says. Their walks have become more than exercise — they’re a way to connect. “What used to take an hour now takes an hour and a half,” Pat adds, “because we stop and talk to so many people.”
Planning Ahead Without Leaving Home
Over time, they’ve built friendships and become familiar faces, known affectionately by some Residents as “the walkers.”
“We’re not ready to move,” Dotti says. “We still love our home.”
Dining, Activities & Community
SmartLife is designed for people like the Tedescos — those who want to remain where they are while putting a thoughtful plan in place for the future.
The Tedescos also enjoy Willow Valley’s culinary venues and events. From casual meals to special outings, they explore different dining options and often invite friends and family to join them. “It’s something we love to share,” Pat says.
“With SmartLife, there’s no rush,” Pat explains. “You keep your home, you have Lifecare, and you’re connected to everything Willow Valley offers. It really is the best of both worlds.” Peace of Mind, One Call Away The greatest benefit for the Tedescos, however, is simplicity during uncertain moments.
A Flexible Path Forward
“When something happens, you don’t want to be figuring everything out,” Pat says. Instead, they make one phone call to their Lifecare Coordinator. That single point of contact coordinates care, removing the burden of navigating services and logistics during a stressful time. It also preserves something deeply important to them: their family relationships. “We don’t want our son and daughter-in-law to be our caregivers,” Pat says. “We want them to be our family.”
They attend community events, participate in activities, and recently signed up for a live performance, just one example of the many cultural opportunities available to SmartLife Members. “It’s not just about planning ahead,” Dotti says. “It’s about enjoying life now.”
For many, planning for senior living means making an immediate move. SmartLife offers a different path: one that provides access to Lifecare benefits and the support of Willow Valley Communities without leaving home. For the Tedescos, that flexibility is essential. “We didn’t have to give up anything,” Pat says. “But we gained everything we need for the future.”
Living Well Today While SmartLife offers reassurance about the future, it’s also enhancing how the Tedescos live today. Living just three miles from Willow Valley Communities, Pat explains that they take advantage of its amenities, activities, and social opportunities “all the time.” One of their favorite routines is walking through Willow Valley’s campuses.
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It’s not just about planning ahead. It’s about enjoying life now. Issue 5
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Lifecare Coordinators:
The Heart of SmartLife
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For many SmartLife Members, the first call they make during a health crisis isn’t to a family member. It’s to their Lifecare Coordinator. That relationship — built on trust, familiarity, and years of personal connection — is at the heart of what makes SmartLife different.
As SmartLife celebrates 12 years of helping older adults age in place with confidence, one thing has become clear: Exceptional care coordination doesn’t happen overnight. It takes experience, dedication, and a strong foundation. Backed by Willow Valley Communities’ 42-year tradition of excellence, SmartLife has grown into a trusted Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program with more than 500 Members — while never losing sight of the personal relationships that make it so effective. More Than a Phone Number When a new Member joins SmartLife, they’re not assigned to a call center or routed through a rotating list of representatives. Instead, they’re paired with a dedicated Lifecare Coordinator who remains their primary point of contact throughout their membership.
“That coordinator becomes their person,” says Megan Henderson, Manager of Lifecare Coordination. “We get to know them, their family, their home, and what matters most to them.”
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During the enrollment process, a Lifecare Coordinator spends several hours in a prospective Member’s home, learning about their lifestyle, family support system, health history, and goals for the future. “We’re really trying to get to know them as people,” Megan says. “We’re sitting at their kitchen table, hearing their story.” Once membership begins, that connection continues through Willow Valley Communities campus tours, regular check-ins, annual home visits, and ongoing support whenever needs arise. A Team Built Through Experience When SmartLife launched in 2014, Megan was there. Today, she leads a team of six Lifecare Coordinators, all holding degrees in social work or related fields. Collectively, they bring decades of healthcare, social services, and senior living experience to the program. “They’re incredibly knowledgeable, but they’re also incredibly compassionate,” Megan says. “We truly become part of our Members’ lives.” Coordinators spend much of their time on the road, visiting Members in their homes, attending hospital discharge meetings, coordinating care, and helping
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families navigate complex healthcare situations. Every Members for a special dinner, a tradition that reflects the week, the team gathers to review Members’ current care bonds formed over more than a decade together. needs to ensure everyone stays informed and prepared “I’ve been with Willow Valley nearly 20 years,” Megan to provide support. And because life doesn’t always happen during business hours, Lifecare Coordinators are says. “I wouldn’t stay this long if I didn’t believe in what we’re doing. These truly become like family members. I available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. want them to receive the very best care possible.” There When It Matters Most That commitment to care, connection, and personal For Members and their families, one of SmartLife’s relationships continues to set SmartLife apart — and greatest benefits is having an experienced advocate it’s a promise that Members can count on today and for when health challenges arise. Whether someone’s years to come. recovering from a knee replacement, managing a chronic health condition, or facing an unexpected hospitalization, the Lifecare Coordination team helps organize the next steps, such as arranging caregivers, communicating with hospital case managers, coordinating rehabilitation services, or helping families understand their options. “We help put the pieces together,” Megan says. “Families don’t have to figure everything out on their own.” That gives many adult children tremendous peace of mind. In fact, several SmartLife Members joined the program after watching the care and guidance it provided to their parents. A Legacy of Confidence
“They saw firsthand how much support their parents received, and they wanted the same confidence and security for themselves,” Megan says. Care That Travels With You A little-known benefit of SmartLife is its portability. Many Members spend winters in warmer climates or relocate temporarily to be closer to family. When care needs arise away from home, the Lifecare Coordination team helps identify, vet, and coordinate providers in those locations. “It’s about helping people live where they want to live,” Megan says, recalling one Member who spends summers in Nantucket near her daughter. When she needed additional support, SmartLife worked to credential a local home care agency and coordinate services so she could continue enjoying time with family while remaining safe and supported. The Heart & Soul of the Program
In their 60s, Tim and Kim Scott are focused on family and ministry. The Lancaster County couple loves spending time with their four daughters and 10 grandchildren, who frequently gather at their home for pool parties, sleepovers, and family celebrations. Having lived in their home for more than a decade, they cherish being close to their church, friends, and the community they love. But they also know the importance of planning for the future. After seeing firsthand how SmartLife supported Kim’s parents in their later years, the Scotts joined the program as one of its first secondgeneration Member families. Their confidence in SmartLife was strengthened by their relationship with Megan Henderson, who became a trusted source of guidance as they helped navigate care decisions for Kim’s parents. “I could call Megan anytime,” Kim says. “Sometimes I was frustrated. Sometimes I was tearful. She was always there.”
Ask Megan what makes SmartLife successful, and her answer comes quickly: “The Lifecare Coordinators are the heart and soul of the program.” Over time, formal relationships often become friendships. Members invite coordinators to lunch, introduce them to their children and grandchildren, and trust them with some of life’s most difficult decisions. Some Members have been with SmartLife since its earliest days. Every year, Megan gathers with these
The Scotts also saw the difference quality care can make for a spouse. As Kim’s mother’s care needs increased, professional caregivers stepped in. This gave Kim’s father more time to be a husband instead of a caregiver. “The idea that care is already in place when we need it gives us peace of mind,” Kim says. “We just make a call, and it’s there.”
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Chester County SmartLife Members Find Worry-Free Protection Close to Home
A Plan to Preserve Joy and Peace of Mind
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When Eric and Kathryn Burling look out over their two-acre property in West Chester, they see more than a beautiful home. They see decades of memories, a beloved gathering place for family, and a handcrafted two-story treehouse where their grandchildren spend the night under the stars while Grandma tells stories late into the evening. It’s a home filled with joy — and one they hope to enjoy for many years to come.
That’s why the Burlings became some of the first Chester County residents to join SmartLife VIA Willow Valley when the program expanded into the county.
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Their decision wasn’t driven by an immediate health concern. Instead, it was about planning ahead while they are healthy, active, and enjoying life. “We’re in good health,” Eric says, “but we’re covered.” Their connection to Willow Valley Communities runs deep. Kathryn’s parents moved there in 1989 and enjoyed an active lifestyle for many years. Later, when her father developed dementia, the family witnessed firsthand the compassionate care he received. “What impressed me deeply was the care he received all the way to the end of his life,” Eric recalls. “I said to myself, this is where I would like to be in the future.”
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That positive experience left a lasting impression not only on Eric and Kathryn, but also on their four children and 12 grandchildren. “It was actually our children who encouraged us to look into SmartLife,” Kathryn says. “They appreciated their grandparents’ experience at Willow Valley and want to know we’ll be cared for in the future.” One of the aspects that appealed most to the Burlings was SmartLife’s ability to help them remain in the home and community they love while creating a plan for future healthcare needs. Initially, they assumed they might need to move closer to Lancaster County to gain access to Willow Valley’s continuum of care. The expansion of SmartLife into Chester County changed that. “We didn’t have to move toward Lancaster just to become part of it,” Eric says. “It buys you time. There’s no rush. No crisis.” As SmartLife Members, the Burlings have access to a dedicated Lifecare Coordinator who can help navigate healthcare decisions and coordinate services if their needs change over time. That support became evident almost immediately. When Eric needed an outpatient medical procedure and was told he could not drive afterward, his care coordinator offered transportation assistance. “We didn’t need it,” he says, “but knowing that help was available meant so much.”
“There was never any pressure,” Eric recalls. “Everyone was kind, patient, and supportive.” Today, the Burlings continue to enjoy the life they’ve built in Chester County: gardening, volunteering, spending time with family, and welcoming grandchildren to their muchloved backyard treehouse. “Our children want to visit us and simply enjoy us,” Kathryn says, “not worry.” With SmartLife, they’re able to do just that. Instead of worrying about the future, the Burlings have found a way to live confidently in the present while knowing a plan is in place for whatever may come next. “You never know what’s going to happen. Well … we know who knows.” Kathryn smiles. “We totally believe in SmartLife. It gives us options, support, and peace of mind.”
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The couple also appreciated the enrollment process itself.
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I said to myself, this is where I would like to be in the future.
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Securing Tomorrow While Living Today Why SmartLife VIA Willow Valley Sets the Standard for Aging in Place
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Planning for the future is one of the most important choices you can make. For many, the main goal is to age independently, comfortably, and safely in the home they love. Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) programs have changed the way people plan for retirement. Rather than waiting for a health crisis or a sudden move to a senior living community, these programs offer longterm care coordination and financial protection at home. If you are looking at options in Central Pennsylvania, SmartLife VIA Willow Valley stands out for its asset protection, flexibility, and lifelong peace of mind. Because Your Future Shouldn’t Come with Limits Uncertainty is the biggest risk to your retirement savings when planning for long-term care. Many standard plans and home care options have financial
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limits, which can leave you wondering, “What if my needs go beyond those limits?” SmartLife operates on a simple, liberating principle: Your future shouldn’t come with limits. SmartLife brings a Type A Lifecare model right to your home, redefining peace of mind. With Type A Lifecare, if you need more care, your fees do not go up. The All-Inclusive Plan means your coverage does not have a lifetime cap or expiration date. Whether you need help for a few months or several years, SmartLife covers personal care, memory support, and skilled nursing services. “When prospects look closely at the reality of longterm care, they realize that putting a cap on your coverage creates a silent risk,” explains Andrew Solodky, Manager of Marketing and Sales at SmartLife VIA Willow Valley. “Life doesn’t come with a countdown timer, and your care shouldn’t either. Our
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Members choose SmartLife because they want absolute certainty. They want to know that no matter what their health journey looks like 10, 20, or 30 years down the road, their lifetime assets are fully insulated against the skyrocketing costs of care.” A History of Success & Trust SmartLife is backed by Willow Valley Communities, an organization that has been serving older adults for over 42 years and has earned a reputation as one of the region’s most trusted providers of senior living and healthcare services. Willow Valley’s long-standing commitment to quality, innovation, and financial stewardship gives Members confidence that the promises made today will be honored for years to come. A well-established CCaH program, SmartLife offers a strong support system, trusted networks, and a solid record of financial stability. Each Member is paired with a Lifecare Coordinator, a personal healthcare guide who helps with everything from minor wellness support to full home care or community-based care planning. “What makes SmartLife unique is that it combines the security of a Type A Lifecare contract with the experience and reputation of Willow Valley Communities,” says Tonya DiPilla, Membership Advisor at SmartLife VIA Willow Valley. “Members aren’t simply purchasing a plan — they’re joining an organization with a long history of serving older adults and helping them navigate life’s changes with confidence.” Freedom to Move: Nationwide Portability One of those life changes highlights another unique aspect of the program: SmartLife believes your protection should not be limited by where you live, so it offers real out-ofstate portability. If you move, whether to be closer to family or to escape winter’s chill, your SmartLife financial protection goes with you. The program continues to coordinate your care
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Your future shouldn’t come with limits.
remotely and reimburses qualified care anywhere in the continental United States, so your investment stays safe wherever you call home. Priority Access to Premier On-Campus Care While SmartLife is designed to help Members remain safely at home as long as possible, circumstances can change. When they do, Members gain the reassurance of priority access to Willow Valley Communities’ continuum of care, including personal care, memory support, and skilled nursing services. Having this trusted pathway already in place allows Members and their loved ones to focus on their well-being, rather than scrambling to find quality care, during a crisis. A Clear Choice for Your Future Choosing a Continuing Care at Home program isn’t just about planning for health changes. It’s also about protecting your independence, reducing stress for your family, and securing your legacy. With lifetime financial coverage options, proven operational maturity, nationwide portability, and the reputation of Willow Valley Communities, SmartLife gives you a strong foundation to Live Life Forward and protect your independence without limiting your future.
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A Foundation of Trust
Building on Willow Valley Communities’ Tradition of Excellence
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Some things can only be built over time. Trust is one of them. For more than four decades, Willow Valley Communities has carried forward the spirit of hospitality and service that began with founder Marlin Thomas and the Willow Valley Inn. Through SmartLife VIA Willow Valley, that same trusted foundation now extends beyond our campuses and into the homes of Members who want to live independently, confidently, and securely.
The story of Willow Valley Communities did not begin with a senior living community. It began with a motor inn and family restaurant. Decades ago in southern Lancaster County, Mr. Thomas helped create the Willow Valley Inn, building on the spirit of service and welcome that defined his family. The inn became known for delicious meals and a warm sense of home. Guests came for a visit, but many felt something deeper. They began to imagine returning not just for a meal or a stay, but for a way of life.
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That simple but powerful idea became the foundation for what would become Willow Valley Communities. When the first Lifecare community, Willow Valley Manor, opened in 1984, it carried forward the same values that had shaped the inn: hospitality, service, personal attention, and a commitment to helping people feel cared for and at home. From the beginning, Mr. Thomas envisioned senior living differently, not as a medical model, but as a hospitality model where older adults could live with dignity, choice, comfort, and confidence. Today, that tradition continues. Willow Valley Communities has earned the trust of generations of Residents and families through excellence, innovation, compassionate service, and sound financial stewardship. Its campuses are home to more than 2,600 Residents from across the country, and the organization continues to be recognized as one of the nation’s leading 55+ communities. Guided
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by its mission to “inspire each person to embrace the possibilities of a Life Lived Forward,” Willow Valley helps older adults live with confidence, purpose, and peace of mind. That same foundation of trust is at the heart of SmartLife VIA Willow Valley. Since 2014, SmartLife has extended the Willow Valley Communities mission beyond its campuses, empowering more than 500 active Members to age independently and securely in the homes they love while providing the support, guidance, and reassurance that come from having a thoughtful plan in place for the future. SmartLife is not simply associated with Willow Valley Communities; it is part of Willow Valley Communities, built upon the same long-standing values, experience, financial strength, and commitment to older adults that have guided the organization for decades. Choosing a Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program such as SmartLife is about more than enjoying its benefits today. It is about having confidence in tomorrow. Members are placing their trust not only in a plan, but in the organization standing behind it. That trust cannot be created overnight. It is earned over time. Willow Valley Communities has spent more than 42 years earning that trust through relationships, service, compassion, and a consistent commitment to keeping promises. From the welcome once extended to guests at the Willow Valley Inn, to the vibrant communities that grew from the vision of Marlin Thomas, to the peace of mind provided by SmartLife today, one promise has remained remarkably consistent: to serve older adults with integrity, hospitality, and vision. That promise has guided Willow Valley Communities since the beginning, and through SmartLife, it continues to shape the future of aging well at home.
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Willow Valley helps older adults live with confidence, purpose, and peace of mind. Issue 5
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Marlin and Doris Thomas cut the ribbon during the dedication of the Memory Center.
Hope Revealed: Unveiling the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center
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Willow Valley Communities recently celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center, a milestone that represents far more than the opening of a new building. For SmartLife Members and their families, it reflects Willow Valley Communities’ ongoing commitment to anticipating future needs and creating innovative solutions that support successful aging. More than 300 guests gathered for Hope Revealed, joining community leaders, healthcare partners, donors, and supporters to celebrate a vision years in the making. Following the dedication ceremony, attendees toured the center, the nation’s first memory community inspired by the renowned Hogeweyk dementia village model, designed to help individuals living with dementia maintain dignity, purpose, and meaningful daily experiences.
Guests explored the vibrant Town Center, featuring destinations such as Main Street Market, Home Plate Restaurant and Bar, the Salon and Spa, and the CommonThreads Club Room, along with innovative spaces dedicated to brain health, wellness, education,
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and support. The new Assessment Center, developed in partnership with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, will extend resources, research, and neurological care beyond Willow Valley Communities and into the broader community. The Brain Tech Center, developed by TAIT, will promote awareness and understanding of brain-healthy habits. The Memory Center stands as a powerful reminder of the value of planning ahead. Just as SmartLife helps Members prepare for their future while enjoying life today, the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center demonstrates Willow Valley Communities’ dedication to ensuring that exceptional care, support, and expertise are available if and when they are ever needed. It is a tangible expression of the peace of mind that comes from having a trusted partner looking ahead on your behalf. The photographs that follow capture highlights from this landmark day and offer a glimpse inside a community that is redefining memory care while bringing hope to individuals, families, and future generations.
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Willow Valley Communities’ President and CEO, Lisa Hawthorne, with Marlin and Doris Thomas
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Brain Tech Center
The Memory Center stands as a powerful reminder of the value of planning ahead.
Town Center
A Resident household
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1850 William Penn Way #109 Lancaster, PA 17601
Confidence for Today. Security for Tomorrow. For more than four decades, Willow Valley Communities has earned the trust of older adults and their families through a tradition of excellence, compassionate service, and sound financial stewardship. SmartLife VIA Willow Valley extends that same promise beyond our campuses, serving more than 500 Members in Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, York, and Chester counties. A true Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) program, SmartLife provides coordinated care, supportive services, and financial protection designed to help Members maintain their independence and age confidently in the homes they love. Backed by Willow Valley Communities and strengthened by more than 12 years of experience, SmartLife offers something invaluable: the peace of mind that comes from planning with a trusted partner. SmartLife helps older adults live their best lives — no matter how they choose to age.
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To learn more about how to live smart, visit SmartLifeWV.org/Living or call 717.299.5673.
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