Events

Staying Strong


Seniors maintain their vibrancy at the area’s

premier continuing care communities



Philadelphia Life/Suburban Life




December 2015

The Bible suggests Adam lived to the ripe old age of 930. Although Americans won’t live that long, the average lifespan in the United States has climbed to nearly 80 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (In Englewood, N.J., a woman named Agnes Fenton turned 110 this summer;

she credits her longevity to plenty of sleep and prayer – and, according to news reports, a daily routine of downing three Miller Lite beers and a shot of Johnnie Walker whiskey.) With continued progress in the fields of medicine, technology and nutrition, the average lifespan in the United States will likely continue its steady uptick.

Some people on the doorstep of retirement approach the coming years with dubiousness, wondering how they can help ensure their “golden years” will be filled with the richness and vibrancy of new experiences. After all, such adventures require not only the financial resources needed to fund them but –

and this is perhaps even more important – also a healthy body to maximize

one’s mobility.

Now more than ever, seniors have help on both fronts.

In the Greater Philadelphia Area’s many excellent continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), the enrichment programs, fitness centers and health care facilities have evolved to help residents stay as active and independent as possible for the duration of their lives. Having residents in their 90s working out

in a state-of-the-art fitness center, doing laps in the pool or otherwise participating in personalized regimens of activities designed to keep their minds, bodies and spirits strong has become the rule rather than the exception.

At Pine Run Retirement Community in Doylestown, the residents — or “Villagers,” as they are known throughout the community’s 43-acre campus — are not far from Bucks County’s Peace Valley Park, which has an abundance of walking trails along the banks of Lake Galena and plenty of other vantage points for enjoying nature’s gifts. Even so, Villagers don’t need to leave the campus to experience the benefits of enrichment.

Pine Run places a strong emphasis on holistic wellness, meaning it focuses not only on Villagers’ physical health but also on their emotional, mental and spiritual wellness. Classes in aquatics and land-based exercises keep the body strong, meditation and Tai Chi feed the soul, and a continuing education initiative known as “Keep on Learning” hones the mind. Also, as part of its memory care program to help residents exhibiting symptoms of dementia, Pine Run offers music therapy as a way to “restore memories and bring even the most unresponsive residents to life,” according to Barbara Chierici, senior director of marketing for Pine Run.

“We have programs in which we ask family members to give us lists of music their loved one used to listen to, and we’ll load up an iPod with the playlist for that person,” she says. “The memory recall and responsiveness have been amazing.

It helps [residents] engage with their families, recall milestone events and help them have conversations again.

“As a result, the resident is happier and more talkative, and on the clinical side, the residents are more engaged,” she continues. “Research shows that in nursing homes, [music therapy] can result in residents cutting their medication use in half. …I’m in awe of what it can do.”

Pine Run recently underwent an $11 million investment in facilities upgrades across all five floors of its health center. This includes a therapy gym, including a mini apartment used for occupational therapy, for residents who have undergone a fall, a stroke or some other health event. The therapy gym is encircled by a track with markers used for benchmarking a person’s progress, according to Chierici.

“We can also do a home evaluation, where we will go home with the person to help them navigate the front steps,” she says. “An occupational therapist can give advice for bed placement or where a lamp should be, to make sure the lighting is in the right spots and also identify potential tripping hazards. We’ve gotten a lot of wows for that.

“The paradigms are moving quickly,” she continues. “A big term now is ‘life plan communities.’ LeadingAge is a not-for-profit governing our industry, and instead of the term CCRC, they’re referring to places like ours as life plan communities. This addresses the idea that it’s most important to have a plan in place to discover the right place for you, one that’s not necessarily involved with care

and more focused on wellness—living longer and better in a place where family members see their loved ones actually having a better quality of life rather than a life in decline.”

All Things Considered


Senior living communities such as these are investing significant sums to offer new onsite resources, as well as create new experiences designed to enhance residents’ lives off campus. From fully equipped fitness centers and pools, to technology-equipped community centers and fine-dining restaurants, options abound. Beyond the on-campus enhancements, however, many communities continue to invest in education and entertainment programs. Whether residents seek to volunteer, learn something new through a college-level class or visit local destinations, such as historic sites or cultural hallmarks, today’s senior living communities are making new experiences more accessible than ever.

Part of what makes today’s retirement communities so appealing is the notion of secure lifelong care that adapts to residents’ needs as their health and lifestyles change. Instead of fretting over the details of doctors’ appointments or home maintenance, residents can spend their time focused on doing the things they love. For many, this is perhaps the most alluring aspect of living in a retirement community. Residents, as well as their family members, have the confidence of knowing that they are well taken care of in place that enables them to enjoy life as independently as possible.

The decision to relocate to a retirement community is not always an easy one,

as it encompasses a host of complex factors. This includes not only determining the “personality” of each community — its location, amenities and breadth of enrichment programs, as well as the associated costs — to the community’s

long-term financial health. When vetting communities, prospective residents should consider asking questions about everything from the governance of the community, to the results of the community’s resident satisfaction surveys, among others.

Considerations aside, retirement communities have made it easier than ever for seniors to enjoy an enriching, worry-free lifestyle at a new place that feels like home. Starting this new chapter, however, starts long before moving day. Well in advance, prospective residents should take the time to speak with their spouses, adult children and essential advisers who can help them weigh these important decisions, such as the details of funding a move to the logistics of downsizing from an existing home. These conversations will not only create a clear picture for the future but also provide family members with the reassurance of knowing their loves ones will be partaking in a lifestyle built around comfort, enjoyment and independence.

Lastly, considering the limited supply and rising demand for coveted spaces in the area’s premier retirement communities, it’s important not to wait too long. Oftentimes, retirement communities have a longer wait list than prospective residents would like. As such, starting the dialogue sooner rather than later can make all the difference between starting a new life in the community of one’s choice and having to settle for a lesser option.

Thankfully, the many senior living communities in the Greater Philadelphia Area can facilitate the conversation so residents can begin the next chapter of their lives — what Chierici refers to as “the bonus years” — as soon as possible,

and on their own terms.

Quiet corner is home to a busy

Food Larder in Bucks County

Dottie Rimmer is glad the holiday spirit kindles donations for those in need. Keeping the shelves stocked at the New Britain Baptist Church Food Larder has become more challenging in recent years in the face of funding cut-backs and the cost of equipment, such as freezers.

The Food Larder is entirely operated and staffed by 60 dedicated volunteers, led by Dottie Rimmer and her husband Byron, so 100% of donations directly benefit approximately 225 needy families each month in Central Bucks County. Volunteers sort bulk foods, canned goods, household cleaning supplies and toiletries, check dates on packaging, and monitor the shelves to help keep items in stock each Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.





A special delivery of

75 apple, cherry, and pumpkin pies from neighboring Pine Run Retirement Community helped complete Thanksgiving meals

for area families that would otherwise have had

to do without.

To donate or volunteer, call 215.345.9170.

Rejuvenated


Under the leadership of Cathleen Stewart,

Pine Run Community’s renaissance —

and its commitment to enhance Villagers’

quality of life — continues




Suburban Life




October 2015




Photographs by

Allure West Studios

In 2010, the future of Pine Run Community in Doylestown did not look promising. The infrastructure had become dated and occupancy was in decline, leading the Village Improvement Association and Doylestown Hospital, the governor and owner of the community, respectively, to consider shutting down Pine Run altogether. Yet today, just five short years later, Pine Run Community is thriving.

How did this happen? There are a number of factors, not the least of which is the expert leadership of Cathleen Stewart. Stewart, who began her tenure as executive director of Pine Run in 2010, came into the position with a plan to turn the community around.

“What I found was a group of associates who had been here for a long time and who really loved Pine Run,” Stewart says of her first impression of the community in 2010. “They were sad to have seen it become tired, and wanted to be part of bringing it back to life. They were somewhat disheartened but not ready to give up on Pine Run.”

Spurred forward by the dedication of these associates, as well as her own passion for high quality senior living honed over 30 years of professional experience with senior living facilities, Stewart went to work reinventing and revitalizing Pine Run.

“When I first met Cathleen we were interviewing for the executive director position,” says Carolyn Della-Rodolfa, chairman of the board at Doylestown Hospital and a VIA member. “Pine Run at that time was in sad straits and we were not sure what, if anything, could be done to improve it. Cathleen not only saw its potential, but she had a clear, positive vision for what it could be.”

“One of the first things I did was get together with the team and look at developing a master plan,” Stewart says. “We needed to put an investment in the community, so we created a plan and that has been our guide going forward. After re-envisioning the independent living campus, the first major component of the plan was to renovate our health center.”

Pine Run invested $11 million in facilities upgrades across all five floors of its health center. Improvements included revitalization of the secured dementia neighborhood and the dining café and chapel. Additionally, the number of skilled nursing beds in the community rose from 74 to 90, with the new beds being added to the second floor, which Stewart notes had been vacant for seven years prior to her arrival.

The improvements to the overall campus came as a direct result of Pine Run listening to what residents—or “Villagers,” in the Pine Run lexicon—wanted and then responding. At present, gardens throughout the 43-acre campus are getting a facelift. Each cluster of homes has a courtyard that is being renovated, with updated plantings, pathways to seating areas and pavilions. “[Villagers] like each other, and they like being together,” Stewart says, explaining that this was enough of an impetus to renovate communal spaces where residents can enjoy one another’s company.

Stewart’s vision, Della-Rodolfa says, has come to fruition. “The cottages are beautiful and homey with wonderful enhancements,” Della-Rodolfa asserts. “The health center has been transformed into a wonderful, modern facility with upscale dining service, modern baths, private rooms and a spacious rehab gym.

“Pine Run has a new life,” she continues, “one we are proud to show off.”

As further evidence of Pine Run’s modern, service-oriented philosophy, Stewart is conducting a series of “fireside chats” to assure Villagers that the renovations touch every corner of the campus. These discussions also provide a forum for asking questions ranging from, “When is the dust going to settle?” to “Will the newly planted flowers be as beautiful as the ones that are already here?” “This goes back to the passion I have for the seniors in this community,” Stewart says, adding that she is driven by the desire to form genuine connections with Villagers to ensure that each person at Pine Run has the best experience possible.

Not surprisingly, Stewart says there are big plans for the future of Pine Run as well. For example, the community center portion of the campus, referred to as “the hub,” will expand—doubling its current size, in fact. Although exact dates aren’t yet set, plans are already in the works to add to the architecture of the community by upgrading the center to include a pool, fitness center and state-of-the-art auditorium, as well as more dining venues, including an outdoor dining area.

Pine Run’s enrollment numbers prove just how effective its renaissance has been. Occupancy for independent living was at 77 percent capacity when Stewart started; today occupancy is at 95 percent capacity. There has been similar growth in the occupancy of personal care areas, including Lakeview and the secured dementia care neighborhood, which rose from 88 percent in 2010 to 99 percent in 2015.

In addition to facilities, Pine Run places a strong emphasis on holistic wellness, taking into account not only physical health but also emotional and spiritual wellness. Pine Run boasts clubs and activities dedicated to the arts and aquatics as well as exercise classes, meditation, tai chi and continuing education through Pine Run’s “Keep on Learning” initiative. There is also a spectrum of mental health and support services for individuals who, for example, have spouses in declining health.

Service is a central tenet of the Pine Run philosophy. Stewart’s “Make Their Day!” initiative is one example of the service oriented mindset that drives Pine Run and all its associates to go above and beyond for residents. This also inspired the annual “Make a Wish Day,” a holiday of sorts wherein residents can ask for a service beyond the normal scope of what Pine Run offers. “Whether it’s getting their car washed, having their refrigerator cleaned out or having their dog groomed—it can be a variety of things that are above and beyond— we have associates who will come out to make that wish happen,” Stewart says.

The Villagers of Pine Run also do their part to make wishes happen in the community, through two community-wide events each year. The first is an art show held each May for Bucks County residents ages 55 and older, and the second is the Fall Festival, held annually in early October. This event draws hundreds of people from Bucks County and beyond to Pine Run to enjoy face painting, pumpkin painting, raffles, baked goods and hearty chowder. New for this year was a “rain gutter regatta” organized by the Boy Scouts, wherein miniature sailboats were raced in rain gutters.

From activities to hospitality to facilities, Pine Run’s commitment to excellence can be traced back to the VIA. This group of women, which organized in 1895 and funded the construction of Doylestown Hospital in 1923, remains in a leadership position to this day.

“We are, one cottage at a time, one cluster at a time, trying to enhance [Villagers’] lives,” Stewart says. “They deserve it.”

Family Fun and Flappers

at Lakeview Picnic



Bucks County Herald




October 22, 2015




Photographs by Natalie Wi

Lakeview’s Annual Family Picnic held on Saturday, September 12, gave more than 100 guests and their Lakeview hosts a chance to dress up in flashy outfits, dance to fun music, and slip back in time to a storied decade of opulence. The Roaring 1920’s theme party took place from noon to 2 p.m. under a white tent in the parking area at Lakeview Personal Care Community located at 2425 Lower State Road in Doylestown.

The crowd marveled at the tasty buffet overflowing with fresh Caesar salad, summer garden green beans, a choice of hot cheesy potato cups or sweet potato with a sweet crunchy topping, glazed sliced ham and succulent grilled beef filets sided with buttery mushrooms. The atmosphere of revelry was tweaked with a bar offering bubbly champagne and cider in lovely fluted glasses.The tempting dessert table featured a colorful fruit centerpiece, multi-tiered cake topped with black and white frosting, and platters of cookies and cupcakes custom made for the party by Charlotte Christ of “Yuppie Cuppies.”

Entertainment, envisioned by Director of Life Enrichment Maureen Riley, celebrated the elegance of the era with plenty of feather and sequin beaded costumes for the dancers’ leggy stage show. Other Lakeview hosts and hostesses mingled through tables wearing black and white outfits accented with sparkling headpieces or Charlie Chaplin-like bowler hats.

“I work closely with our Dining Director, Sharon Smith, to tap the creative talent we have in the ranks at Lakeview, and then we all collaborate to bring about the best party scene. We try to match the mood our families love to feel at this annual event,” Riley enthused, “making the residents feel like honored participants in a familiar song and dance fest.”

Located a block away from Doylestown Hospital, and a part of Doylestown Health, Lakeview is a vital link in the continuum of care available to seniors in the local area. Some of the essential services provided by Lakeview, such as 24-hour licensed nursing care and on-site physicians, are unique in a Personal Care Community setting. This high degree of expertise promotes wellness and allows for a quicker response to any change in a resident’s health status.

To learn more about residency, life enrichments, or volunteer opportunities at Lakeview, telephone 215-489-7117.

Your Vote Counted!



The Intelligencer




September 27, 2015

The Best of Bucks Mont is a list of our readers’ favorite businesses, products and services in the community.

We believe the list represents how important local businesses are to the quality of Life here in our county. Readers literally cast a vote of appreciation for businesses in the community they find to be top-notch. Here’s how it worked:

• Votes were cast in early summer

• Online ballots listed categories

with space to type in favorite business names.

• The independent certified public accounting firm, Kreischer Miller, tabulated the votes and validated

the results for each category.

Rehab the Right Way


Lois’ Story



Doylestown Health Dialogue




Fall 2015

Lois Bell isn’t letting a few surgeries slow her down. In fact, this busy senior is getting back to her active routine thanks to the care she received at Doylestown Health’s Pine Run Health Center. Rehabilitation specialists helped Lois regain the physical strength and confidence she needed to remain independent.

“I’m glad I went there,” says Lois, 77. “I was very happy with the care I received.”

Lois’ third and most recent stay at the Health Center spanned two weeks following back surgery last spring, which also marked the completion of an extensive renovation project to the nearly 40-year-old building. The renovations and upgrades to the Health Center include more private rooms with updated bathrooms, improved dining options, enhanced natural lighting, new soothing colors and new furnishings throughout the building.

“They did a phenomenal job with the renovations,” says Lois. “The place is beautiful.”

Pine Run Health Center is part of the Pine Run Retirement Community, located on Ferry Road near the border of Doylestown and New Britain townships. The Health Center and Retirement Community are part of Doylestown Health.

The Health Center features a 90-bed skilled nursing unit providing long-term care as well as transitional care to help independent seniors return to their homes. A newly expanded short-term rehabilitation gym is a focal point of the renovations.

Lois’ daughter, Ronna Bell, RN, is a case manager in Doylestown Health’s Richard A. Reif Heart Institute. She enjoys a close relationship with her mother, but staying home to help her recuperate from back surgery was not an option.

“It’s hard to take care of your loved ones when you work full time. While my mother was at Pine Run I knew she was fine,” said Ronna, who visited Lois every day. “They took good care of her. She really likes the staff there and she loves the physical therapy department.”

Lois also enjoyed making friends at Pine Run. She ate dinner in the new bistro-style dining room on her floor, sitting with the same group of women each night. “Dinner was the highlight of her day,” noted Ronna. “She didn’t feel lonely.”

“I looked forward to each meal,” said Lois. “I liked the way they have the dining room set up. It made for a very social atmosphere.”

Lois continues to be active socially with her friends and neighbors. She chairs several committees in her Warrington community. As head of the travel committee she plans day trips like jaunts to New York City. She takes regular walks with friends and is part of a book club.

“My mother is back to her old self,” said Ronna. “We couldn’t have done it without Pine Run.”

For more information about rehabilitation services available

at the Pine Run Health Center,

call 800-992-8992.

Their Place in the World



Guide to Retirement Living




Fall 2015




By Mary Clark

Carolyn and Richard Egan took off for parts unknown and full of adventure once their children were grown.Tiger safaris in Nepal, orangutans in Borneo, lemurs in Madagascar and polar bears in Churchill, Canada. Meeting new people everywhere, they traveled most of Europe, China, Vietnam, Cuba and beyond.

Travel turned out to be great practice for making smart retirement living decisions. They had explored different cultures and unknown landscapes while traveling light for the journey. Skill sets they learned along the way they put to good use again as they started researching retirement options.

“Don’t go into it with preconceived notions,” insisted Carolyn. “It’s like selecting a college. Go visit. Every senior community has a different personality; you look until you feel a connection. You’ll know when you find it because it just feels right.”

The Egans’ search began with geography, as many odysseys do, focusing on something convenient to children and grandchildren, and close to international airports. More accustomed to moving than most thanks to Richard’s career as a chemist for Merck & Co., they were familiar with the Delaware Valley and wanted to establish their retirement home in the area.

“There was a place that I had in mind and researched,” Richard explained. “But as we looked around, we realized that there was more to the selection process than floor plans. We really wanted to get it right.”

Questioning what would work for them, they accepted Pine Run’s offer to come and stay overnight in one of the new cottages at the continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Doylestown, Pa. They used the time to explore the Bucks County campus, naturally encountering friendly Villagers, as residents refer to themselves at Pine Run. A convivial evening of laughter and conversation over dinner wrapped up a day full of discovery for the two.

“That was our big ‘Aha!’ moment,” said Richard. “We looked around and realized that we not only liked the community experience but saw how easily we could fit into that environment. A retirement community lifestyle in general, and specifically the culture we found at Pine Run.”

Their old home was in a beautiful but remote setting, and as much as they loved living there, they recognized that being closer to conveniences made more sense. It was a relief when they discovered both important commodities at Pine Run. “One of the first things we noticed was all the green,” Rich said about their visit to the community. “It was a beautiful Bucks County landscape; the sort of natural garden setting that was familiar to us. Of course, we had heard all the good things about Doylestown and the healthcare that was readily available.”

Involved in scouting all his life and now a certified trainer of Scout leaders, Rich doesn’t need to be reminded to be prepared. “We’re both very active and in good health now. Science tells us what to expect. We felt we should be better situated for our age and I didn’t want Carolyn to have to manage that on her own.”

Even for the adventurous, settling into a new environment can be daunting, although Carolyn didn’t find it that way. “You just say yes to what you want to do, not what you don’t.” She found her comfort zone at the center of Pine Run Community life, the clever and indispensable Country Store, one of over a hundred different ways that Villagers get involved, volunteering their time and talent.

“It was the perfect way to meet everyone,” she said. “Wherever I go now, even in Doylestown, I see Villagers and staff members who I helped with purchases in the Country Store, selecting cards or gifts.

It’s a nice common ground. There’s always time for conversation or a friendly word or two.” Carolyn also stepped up to take advantage of complimentary art classes in Pine Run’s Craft Barn. The popular painting class is a good time for everyone, and something that might not have happened at all for Carolyn if she had not moved to the retirement community. The gift of time is one of the best benefits. More time in the day to say yes to something new and the real luxury of having a choice. The iconic Craft Barn, part of the original homestead, is filled with every variety of arts, crafts and creative hobbies. Carolyn may easily try other artistic mediums. Inspiration comes from being surrounded by all that activity.

Villagers participate and guide much of their agenda through many volunteer committees.

Not surprisingly, the Trips Committee at Pine Run attracted Richard. He explains that it’s an active volunteer group with lots of ideas and destinations. “There’s always plenty to consider. Philadelphia of course, particularly world class music at the Kimmel Center,” he said. “The best surprise was the range and quality of the arts right here in Doylestown and Bucks County. Town and Country Players is always a delight, and there are more festivals, concerts and museum events to attend than we have the time to go.”

Like many new retirees, Rich is busier than ever. His priorities didn’t change after moving to Pine Run, as he continues training Scout leaders how to instruct their troops in traditional scouting skills. So it happened that he discovered Pine Run Marketing Assistant and local Scout leader Sandy Cantone attending his how-to-teachknot- tying class. “I wasn’t surprised; Carolyn and I were impressed from the start with the management and staff members at Pine Run, who have their priorities straight. We found them open to new ideas, and they really always try to say yes.”

Likewise, the Egans have found that same word has jumpstarted their future. They said “yes” to something new, to finding the perfect home and to volunteering by reaching out to their community. What the Egans prove is that when people find their place in the world, no matter their age, it is theirs to step into and make the most of.

Pine Run Proud!


Pine Run Celebrates 39 Years



August/September 2015





We are proud to honor our 2015 Angel Award recipients, 5-Star Award winner, and Milestone Achiever as a part of our 39th Anniversary celebration. Busy days filled with touching hearts, providing comfort care, and sharing creative energy can really spark a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. These admirable associates deserve accolades for the heartfelt connections they forge, like family, with colleagues, patients, and residents on campus.

Pine Run has taken pride in caring for generations of families since 1976. It is unique among its peers of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in being a member of Doylestown Health. Our span of residential options for seniors age 65+ attracts talented professionals who forge new approaches to care, construction, and remarkable hospitality.

Pine Run occupancy has flourished to being well above 90% in all levels of living. Renovations completed at the 43-acre Ferry Road campus, as well as the Lakeview location on Lower State Road, embody the dreamy ideal of filling space with natural light, classic architectural details, earthy colors, and landscaping suited to a bucolic setting. Residents and families enjoy the conveniences of contemporary amenities along with the charms of country life.

More than 450 associates anchor an exceptional service philosophy, Make Their Day! Numerous associates surveyed in 2015 feel they have the opportunity to do their best every day.

We can attest to true excitement at Pine Run for the remarkable deeds achieved by our team in their unwavering commitment to

quality care:

• Deficiency-free survey results in 2015 for Pine Run Health Center, Lakeview Personal Care, The Garden Memory Care and the Pine Run Home Care Agency
• Overall 5-star ranking from Medicare at Pine Run Health Center
• Voted Best of Bucks by readers of The Doylestown Intelligencer 2011-2014

 


Additionally, Pine Run impacts the local community in many ways. Associates and residents enthusiastically support social accountability through various programs such as art shows, charity projects, health fairs, fundraising, intergenerational activities with students, and providing free transportation or food to boost worthy grassroots efforts.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, Bucks County has the fourth highest 65+ population among the counties of Pennsylvania. In the year 2000, Bucks County had 74,282 residents over the age of 64. This number is projected to more than double to 160,675 by the year 2025. Pine Run envisions a robust future of serving the dynamic health and wellness needs of men and women celebrating their bonus years.

Newsworthy Alzheimer’s Care

Featured at Pine Run



By Barbara Chierici, Sr. Director of Marketing

and Mary Clark, Correspondent




Bucks County Women’s Journal




June/July 2015

There are several reasons The Garden at Pine Run Health Center is the best place for residents with Alzheimer’s and related dementia illnesses to receive care. In April, Channel 6 Action News came to film one of the many unique ways that The Garden makes each day interesting and rewarding for its residents. The Garden is a 40-bed personal care neighborhood located atop the Pine Run Health Center on Ferry Road in Doylestown Township.

Channel 6 aired a video featuring a “Creative Clay” workshop at Pine Run Health Center taught by Kris Sinisi, ceramics and visual arts instructor at The Conservatory of the Arts in Doylestown. The video segment ran on “The Art of Aging”—a weekly show hosted by Lisa Thomas-Laury.

Viewers of the program got a vivid look at memory-impaired residents ably using their hands to explore form and to create works of art. They were shown using tools to add detail and texture on beautiful “sun tiles.” The clay works will be fired and then glazed by these remarkable amateur artisans before being displayed in the art gallery at Pine Run.

Creative pursuits in art, music, and gardening are often a highlight in the day for residents of The Garden, which honors the individual. The heart of The Portrait Approach
^sm
, found only at Pine Run, celebrates and supports personal interests, preferences, and talents, keeping residents’ familiar joys and practices comfortably close.

Volunteers like ceramic artist Kris Sinisi get energized sharing their time and talents with residents. It is a perfect opportunity to light up a room with smiles and enthusiasm and to take a break from the routine. Artfully inspired volunteers may contact Volunteer Coordinator Elizabeth Hansen at 215-489-7117. There are many ways to become involved in a heartwarming day.

New renovations are now complete at the Pine Run Health Center providing wonderful new space for these types of activities. There are rooms large enough for crafts and TV film crews, as well as quieter gathering spaces and an inviting café—all redone for comfort, insuring a pleasant place to linger and share good times.

Now that The Garden is an integral part of Doylestown Health, families of residents find comfort knowing that their loved one is in the right place for any type of healthcare change, with a full continuum of care available. And it keeps what can be upsetting disruptions to a minimum.