Getting into the Swing of Things at The Village at Penn State

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Liberty Lutheran

Construction has begun on the highly anticipated Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State. Designed and completed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company, the first-of-its-kind fully landscaped park, gardens and beautiful walking trails will offer residents unparalleled outdoor space for year-round activities, recreation and al fresco dining.

The senior living community is dedicated to providing a wealth of healthy experiences for retired adults seeking an active and engaging lifestyle. Thanks to a suite of services, including independent living, personal care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing, residents are able to ‘age in place’ throughout all stages of their retirement.

With the addition of Palmer Park at The Village, residents seeking to continue their robust lifestyle choices can step outside to hone their golf skills on the professionally contoured synthetic grass putting green and practice area. The Park also has space for residents to delight in a game of bocce, stroll the walkway through world-class gardens, and partake in morning meditation on the multi-purpose fields.

A magnificent pergola and fire pit accent the new Creamery Terrace where residents can revel in al fresco dining with views of Palmer Park’s fields and golf putting greens. Focused on resident nutrition and using fresh, local-sourced ingredients, the Village’s exquisite restaurant-style fine dining allows for a stunning experience that rivals the region’s fine dining establishments. Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream will also be available on-site in a variety of flavors for residents, family and friends to enjoy on the terrace, on the walking paths, or while relaxing on one of the many sitting areas throughout the Park.

Located on the doorstep of Penn State’s campus, residents of the Village enjoy a special relationship with the University and the students. The Village provides transportation to lectures, sporting and cultural events, and to downtown State College. Students also regularly visit The Village, bringing their youth and energy to an already vibrant community. With this in mind, Palmer Park is distinctly designed for residents of The Village to be active in a very unique outdoor setting.

Palmer Park at The Village at Penn State showcases how the community continues to offer unparalleled services to people who want to stay fit and active through their retirement.

Click here to schedule a tour to learn more about all the new developments happening at The Village at Penn State.

Watch a short video about our new developments below.

Giving and Giving Back at Paul’s Run

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Liberty Lutheran

~ Katrina Kane Wise, NHA, MBA, Vice President/Executive Director of Paul’s Run ~

When Lillian decided to move to a senior community, she didn’t have to think about where she would go.

As a volunteer at Paul’s Run, Lillian knew that she would receive the absolute best in senior living here. She knew she would be treated like a real person by dedicated, compassionate staff in a warm, caring environment. Best of all, she had already developed a network of friends at Paul’s Run.

Though she is now a resident, she continues to dedicate her time to supporting and improving the community. At least three days a week you will find her in the General Store, with her pleasant smile and friendly disposition, always ready to help you find just what you’re looking for.

On Friday’s, Lillian ensures that all of the community, especially those in healthcare, are offered Shabbat services for spiritual nourishment and worship. And she comforts families and friends at Paul’s Run Remembrance services. Of course, this is just a fraction of what Lillian does at Paul’s Run.

When you give to Paul’s Run, you support programs and activities to encourage residents to stay active and engaged within and outside our local community. As Lillian will tell you, nothing keeps your mind as sharp as staying active.

Everyone at Paul’s Run has an interesting story. Stories connect us to who we are. The colorful stories of each resident merges with the story of Paul’s Run to create a vibrant history. Another wonderful example of this is Edna’s story.

Edna and her husband Stanley enjoyed refurbishing and showing antique cars while raising two wonderful children, Ruthie and Randy. Along the way, Edna developed a passion for painting and began taking lessons in watercolor.

When you visit Edna’s apartment, you feel as if you have entered a gallery of breath taking landscapes depicting scenes of Edna’s life and travels. On one wall, you’ll see the warm, inviting home where Stanley and she raised their children. You’ll find fruit stands of the local market. On another wall, you’ll see roof tops from a neighborhood in Wales and Mexico.

And you’ll find lots of doorways and entrances, a favorite of Edna’s. I think these are a favorite because they reflect her personality. Edna is always welcoming and engaging, inviting others into her life. We are honored to have her here and privileged in that she has chosen to share her paintings to help others at Paul’s Run.

Edna’s paintings are being featured on notecards to benefit the Paul’s Run Fellowship Fund. This special fund allows residents who outlive their resources to remain at Paul’s Run. Edna knows that her gift to the Fellowship Fund provides more than the means for those residents to remain here at Paul’s Run, it offers peace of mind.

Your gift to Paul’s Run is extremely important because it provides immediate resources that are directed to current needs and opportunities. All of our residents count on you to help keep our community vibrant.

Please send your gift today to Paul’s Run. Join Lillian and Edna and make a vital difference in our community.

Dementia: Recognizing the Symptoms

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Liberty Lutheran

-Karen Read, MSN, RN, Nurse Educator

“Within all of us resides the need to be whole.” – Oliver Sacks, M.D.

Americans are living longer lives than ever before. In fact, it’s estimated that 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day. But with that, it seems, we are also hearing about more cases of dementia. Chances are that we have or will cross paths with someone who is diagnosed with dementia symptoms. The more we know about dementia, the more help we can get for those battling the disease. Continue reading →

Be a Work of Art! 6 Things Every Woman Can Do to Age with Beauty, Grace & Good Health

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Liberty Lutheran

By Karen Read, MSN, RN,

As Nurse Educator for Artman and Paul’s Run, I have noticed that women outnumber the men living at both retirement communities. Robert Butler, renowned gerontologist, psychiatrist and Pulitzer Prize winning author says more than 31% of 65-year old women can expect to live to age 90 or beyond. He also says that genes account for only 25% of an individual’s health and longevity, while “our environment and personal behaviors account for the rest.”

My greatest wish is, if I have the gift of 90 years, is to continue to be as productive and as vital as possible. So what does this mean for me, a woman, as I age? What things can I do to keep myself as healthy as possible? The experts seem to agree on a holistic approach to aging, an approach that must include mind, body and spirit.

Here is my checklist: Continue reading →

Spring Cleaning For Senior Home Safety

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Liberty Lutheran

-By Dana O’Donnell, RN

A home should be a safe haven. But for many seniors, falls and other accidents at home can be devastating, even deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults ages 65 and older has a fall every year, and two million are treated in an emergency room for fall-related injuries. Older adults can live safe, healthy, independent lives in a home environment that is free of clutter and other hidden dangers. Now that the weather is warming up, it is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning for better home safety.

Remove things you can trip over (like papers, books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk.
Store items within easy reach and avoid using step stools or stepladders.
Make sure you have good, bright lighting in your home. Use nightlights in your bedroom, hall and bathroom. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare.
Make sure rugs are firmly fastened to the floor or use nonskid backing.
Move electrical or phone cords so they are not lying on the floor in walking areas.
Ask family members or neighbors to arrange furniture so you can safety navigate through the house without bumping into anything.
Change the batteries in all smoke alarms.
Make sure your porch and sidewalks are clear of debris and plant overgrowth.

It’s also important to get some exercise to strengthen your body and lessen the risk of falling. Be mindful of medications that can have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, which can increase your chances of falling. Also be sure to get your eyes checked every year, because poor vision can make it more difficult to get around safely.

For more information about home safety visit www.libertyathome.org or contact Dana O’Donnell, Executive Director, Liberty at Home, 215-643-6335 ext. 147.

Meditation Decreases Health-Threatening Loneliness in Older Adults

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Liberty Lutheran

By Celeste Tarbox

Loneliness at any age can have an impact on mental and physical health, but in older adults it can lead to even more serious health consequences, such as earlier-than-expected death and the loss of physical functioning (NYTimes). Older adults often feel lonely and disoriented after moving into a nursing home or assisted-living community due to geographically-dispersed children and lost spouses. However, a simple technique of mindfulness-based meditation can be practiced to potentially lessen the health threats of loneliness and depression.

A recent study conducted by UCLA professor of medicine and psychiatry, Steve Cole, adds to the growing collection of research demonstrating the positive benefits of meditative practices and techniques. The study was published in the journal Brain, Behavior & Immunity reporting that just eight weeks of training in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) decreased loneliness in older adults (ucla.edu).

MBSR uses mindfulness-based meditation to teach the mind to be more conscious of the present moment and not dwell in the past or project into the future. Participants in the UCLA study attended weekly two-hour meetings learning body-awareness techniques and were asked to practice mindfulness meditation exercises for 30 minutes each day at home. Simply by noticing sensations in the body and working on one’s breath, older adults prone to loneliness can work their way toward better understanding how to mindfully attend to their feelings of loneliness and daily life practices. The scientific results offer hope for individuals to use simple practices at home to improve their mental and physical health.

If you are interested in participating in mindfulness-based meditation or introducing it to a loved one in your life, it is important to find a qualified instructor to train the mind, just as if you would wish to learn any new activity.