Appen Media Group
March Special Section
2 | March 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
Empty Nest• Sponsored Section
Longleaf Communities Brought to you by Kathy Rice Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Longleaf Communities is the premier luxury homebuilder for active 55+ adults in metro Atlanta. Their spectacular, English Cottage style homes and communities are designed to meet the lifestyle needs Rice and wishes of active seniors while providing low maintenance living. With three convenient locations, Longleaf Communities provides things other Active Adult communities provide: proximity to area attractions and life necessities, low maintenance and ease of living, a lock and go lifestyle and neighborhood amenities. With a Longleaf home, you can have all that plus, the distinguished architecture, attention to detail and superb craftsmanship you’re accustomed to.
Our elegant homes feature airy floor plans with lofty 10-foot ceilings and solid 8-foot doors outfitted with generous millwork throughout. Choose from a variety of custom cabinetry for your designer kitchen and select your preferred finishes for your designer bath. All of our homes feature two main floor bedrooms, each with a full bath and laundry on the
main. The upstairs includes a finished loft, additional full bath and the option to add another bedroom for more livable space to welcome guests. Longleaf currently has 3 communities: Village Green of East Cobb in Marietta (1 opportunity remains), Longleaf Woodstock in Cherokee County (with
Clubhouse and Pool) and Longleaf Battle Park in West Cobb (with Pool & Clubroom). Our thoughtful floor plans and Longleaf’s reputation for superior craftsmanship, are what make Longleaf the luxury builder of active adult communities. www.longleafsouth.com (678) 6974984
Battle Park • East Cobb • Woodstock 678.523.7063
THREE NEW LUXURY 55+ COMMUNITIES
Marketing and Sales by Atlanta FIne Homes Sotheby’s International Realty - 770.442.7300. © All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information contained herein is believed to be accurate but is not warranted and is subject to change without notice.
678.523.4872
678.525.0823
Call today for a private tour.
d. 678.697.4984 o. 770.442.7300
LONGLEAFSOUTH.COM
Empty Nest • Sponsored Section
On ear size and aging By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Do ears grow larger as we get older? For hundreds if not thousands years, this question has likely been asked and debated. Dr. Taylor Frustration over a lack of data on this topic likely was the reason behind Van Gogh’s most dramatic action. Fortunately, we live in a better time, and we have the answer. But before we reveal it, let’s take a step back and properly frame this topic in the context of a few of the other great advances of science. Consider how scientific medical research has helped shape the human condition for the better. Edward Jenner and the discovery of vaccination. Alexander Fleming and penicillin. Then, there was the 1995 article in the British Medical Journal entitled “Why do old men have big ears?” (BMJ 1995; 311: 1668 (Published 23 December 1995). In this seminal work, Dr. James A Heathcote and three of his colleagues set to work measuring the size of their patients’ ears and correlated the measurements by age. The study was voluntary. Remarkably, not a single patient objected to having his ears measured. Dr. Heathcote writes, “all the researchers were surprised by how interested (if amused) patients were by the project.” The result: ears are larger in older individuals by an amount of 0.22mm per year. At that rate, the ear lengthens by half an inch in 58 years. So one half of the question seems settled. Ears do get larger by 0.22mm per year. But do they grow larger? To try to answer this question, I have read quite a few articles over the last few days. Researchers have measured the number of cartilage cells (chondrocytes) in ear specimens, observed the integrity of elastic fibers in ears of different ages, and stained cells for markers of growth and differentiation. Some have speculated that degradation of the elastic fibers around our cartilage is responsible for ear enlargement. Others suggested that microtrauma from ear pulling and rubbing over decades leads to ear stretching. Others maintain that there is a genetically determined change in ear shape independent of gravity and trauma. The answer is still a muddle. Researchers seem to favor the idea of tissue degradation and stretching over alternative hypotheses focused on actual ear growth, per se, but the question is by no means settled. Encouragingly, this controversy means that there is still time for younger generations to set aside their phones and make their mark on the annals of history. Hiram Bingham, Sir Edmund
Joking aside, ears and noses both large and small are important to protect, and I must take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of sun safety and sun protection.
Hillary, and Neil Armstrong have not summited every summit or leaped every leap. It remains for future adventurers to discover why ears get bigger. Joking aside, ears and noses both large and small are important to protect, and I must take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of sun safety and sun protection. One of my professors in medical school shared with me that the nose develops more skin cancers per unit area than any other part of the body, presumably because it sticks out and receives excess sun. And the ears have more than their fair share of skin cancers as well. Lips get smaller with time, but people often forget to use a lip balm with SPF even if they remember to use sunscreen on the rest of their faces. The increased size of ears and noses with age is a great aid to Mohs surgeons such as myself. We take advantage of “reservoirs” of extra tissue to reconstruct wound defects left after cancer removal. If you are curious, go online and search images of “helical rim advancement flap,” and you can see interesting examples of how we can slide tissue from the earlobe or lower ear up to fill in a wound on a higher spot on the edge of the ear. Even if we do not know precisely why ears get bigger, I am grateful that they do. For those patients that have small ears and noses, Mohs surgery offers hope. This technique of skin cancer removal allows a cancer to be removed with a cure rate of typically 99% while minimizing the size of the wound created, so even the smallest noses and ears stand a great chance of an outstanding cure rate and cosmetic result. We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed researching it. At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, it is our pleasure and our privilege to take care of you. Dr. Brent Taylor is a board-certified dermatologist, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, and is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Surgical, medical and aesthetic services are available, and all ears sizes are welcome. If you or a loved one has a skin or vein care need, please consider making an appointment today.
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | March 2019 | 3
4 | March 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
Empty Nest• Sponsored Section
Soleil Laurel Canyon named Best 50 Master-Planned Communities Tucked away in the North Georgia foothills of Canton and just a short drive from exciting Atlanta, Soleil Laurel Canyon is more than a beautiful community of maintenance-free, ranch-style homes and breathtaking views. It’s the lifestyle you’ve worked your whole life to enjoy. If you are 55+, we invite you to come experience Soleil’s incomparable array of recreation, culture, and entertainment for yourself. You’ll have no doubt why it was named among the Best 50 Master-Planned Communities in the U.S. by Where to Retire Magazine in 2015. “Clubhouses, fitness centers, social clubs and education classes mean residents get much more than a house at a planned community,” said Karen Northridge, publisher of “Where to Retire.” One of the great pleasures of living at Soleil is that a low-maintenance home gives you the free time to take advantage of all that the community offers or take a trip without concern. The landscaped grounds of Soleil Laurel Canyon are always impeccably maintained, while your HOA dues cover complete lawn maintenance and an irrigation system, in-home security monitoring and maintenance, and even Comcast cable TV. Soleil Laurel Canyon offers a selection of Cottage, Traditional and Craftsman-style single-family homes from the mid $200,000s to $400,000s for adults 55+. Residents live independently in homes that range from 1,500 square feet to almost 3,000 square feet. All of Soleil’s new floor plans include elegant details and are designed for aging-in-place with stepless-entry access and wide doorways. These homes are energy ef-
ficient with HERS ratings above standard. Soleil residents have membership in a 28,000-square-foot clubhouse complete with an arts and crafts room, billiards room, fitness center, gourmet teaching kitchen, indoor heated saline lap pool, and library. Outside the clubhouse, residents have a heated Lagoon-style pool, a community garden and greenhouse,
a 3.5-acre fishing lake and the tennis facility with a full-time USPTA-certified teaching professional. The Fairways of Canton golf course is located just outside Soleil’s gate within Laurel Canyon, and offers challenging golf for a reasonable, daily-fee price. Two Lifestyle Directors maintain a full social calendar of events including wine socials, movie nights, trips to nearby attractions, and Grandkids day.
Amenity-Rich Resort Living for Active Adults
Final Phase is Now Open Great Selections Available
Just north of Atlanta, only minutes from shopping, dining, hospitals, culture and Blue Ridge is our awardwinning 55+ resort-style community, Soleil Laurel Canyon.
New Homes from the Low $300s Find Your New Home at SoleilLaurelCanyon.com Call Today for Your Personal Tour 678.710.9023 ©2019 Lifestyles at Laurel Canyon, LLC. Special offers, prices, home designs and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability, prior sale and withdrawal at any time without notice. Not an offering to CT, NJ or NY residents. Void where prohibited.
102 High Mountain Trace Canton, Georgia 30114
Empty Nest • Sponsored Section
When live-in care is the right choice Brought to You by Home Helpers of Alpharetta Maintaining your independence and enjoying the comfort of staying in your own home and aging in place is a key desire for the majority of seniors. As you and your older loved one make plans the future or face current health care issues, it’s time to consider the long-term benefits and potential cost savings of live-in care. It’s a wonderful alternative that may be a perfect fit. What is Live-In Care? In time, we all need some help and in-home care provides both personal care and emotional support. When physical and emotional needs get more complex, it’s time to make decisions for care that is more extensive. Whether in your own home or an assisted living community, challenges like decreased mobility and increased fall dangers, occasional night time help or conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may make 24-hour support a necessary and ideal choice. Here’s how 24-hour live-in care works. A heart-centered skilled Home Helpers caregiver lives in your older loved one’s home for at least four or five days a week, with another live-in caregiver completing the weekly schedule. The caregiver supplies all the daytime support care needed and sleeps there, so they are available at night for minimal quick toileting assistance or when emergencies happen. A caregiver needs five hours of uninterrupted sleep and eight hours total sleep for a good night’s rest. They will also take a break at opportune times, like when your loved one is nap-
ping, but will always be there to provide a safe and secure environment. The continuity of care a live-in caregiver provides is a major benefit for your older loved one. One-on-one care is round the clock, totally customized and dedicated to their special needs. There are only two caregivers involved, and the warm emotional bonds formed with a carefully selected caregiver can truly help them thrive. With no shift changes during a day, this reliability and constancy can be very calming for your older loved one. There are many additional advantages to live-in care. Cost savings can be considerable, as live-in care has a daily versus hourly fee. You get the security of 24-hour assistance but don’t pay for sleep time for the caregiver. Your older loved one stays in their home with the familiar belongings and surroundings they prefer, or even remain with a beloved pet and still have the space, privacy and independence they desire. A carefully matched live-in caregiver provides the safety and security of a professional who can make an incredible difference and allow your older loved one to thrive. A thoroughly screened, trained and talented Home Helpers caregiver not only brings skills, but a heart centered approach that boosts confidence and provides the best quality of life for our clients and their families. We know that despite the passing years, each of our clients has a youthful spirit. Engaging that lets us share in the richness of their lives, both past and present. For a free in-home consultation to determine if live-in care is right for you, contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta today at (678) 430-8511.
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | March 2019 | 5
6 | March 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
Empty Nest• Sponsored Section
Village Park Milton Village Park Milton is now pre-leasing, located at the corner of Wills Road and Highway 9. Blending organic farmhouse vernacular with a contemporary urban aesthetic results in a senior living residence that is both fresh and inviting. Village Park Milton used repurposed materials from the original equestrian property combined with natural stone and siding, blending warmth of local flavor into the design. Earthy and artsy, the design of this stunning community accomplishes harmony and sophistication through the layering of textures and earthy color palettes. Village Park Milton is a 130 unit community that offers bungalows, cottages, independent living, assisted living and memory care services to fit your everyday needs in a place to call home. Moving can be stressful and choosing a senior community can feel overwhelming. That is why Village Park Milton provides a family environment in a building that offers all the comforts of a small community including restaurant-style dining, planned social and wellness programs, maintenance and repair services, housekeeping, scheduled transportation, beauty salon, covered outdoor pool, theater and a continual focus on individualized care plans to meet your needs. Call Village Park Milton today at 470-5094557 for more information or go to villageparkseniorliving.com.
Discover a new class in Discover a new–class in senior senior living exclusive toliving – exclusive toVillage Village Park Park –—that combines the community that combines and of a private neighborhood with the thecharacter community and character culture and convenience of a modern of a private neighborhood with city center. the by culture convenience Stop todayand to see what’s new in senior living. of a modern city center. Stop by today to see VILLAGE PARK what’s new in senior living. ALPHARETTA
12300 Morris Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30005 678-740-3499
Reimagine what’s next.
VILLAGE PARK ALPHARETTA now showing VILLAGE PARK 12300 Morris Rd. now MILTON Alpharetta, GApreleasing 30005
678-740-3499 555 Wills Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30009 470-509-4557
Bungalows Bungalows Cottages Cottages Independent Independent LivingLiving Assisted Living Assisted Living Memory Care Memory Care
MILTON
ALPHARETTA
villageparkseniorliving.com villageparkseniorliving.com
Empty Nest • Sponsored Section
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | March 2019 | 7
The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the Southeast Region’s most unique, allinclusive, residential memory care community for people living with Alzheimer’s and any other form of dementia. A diagnosis of dementia does not mean that you cannot keep many aspects of your current lifestyle. It simply means you may need assistance maintaining that lifestyle. At The Memory Center Atlanta, we strive to ensure you truly live with us. Daily activities include Music, Dancing, Local Entertainment, Outings, Art Therapy, Pet Therapy, Religious Services and more. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or enjoy an ice cream cone at the Bull Dog Café. All residents experience socialization and activities and
those who need 24/7 medical care will benefit from the care provided at The Memory Center Atlanta. We are proud to have Dr. Mohan, a locally and nationally renowned expert in the field of geriatric healthcare, as the Medical Director. Dr. Mohan works with our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants to provide 24/7 care within the comfort of your loved one’s new home. Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one can receive care. Deciding on memory care early enough, will allow your loved one the opportunity to have the best quality of life and that decision is priceless. Schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta and learn more about how our entire team works together to provide a seamless transition
for your loved one into their new home. Located at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile in
from Medlock Bridge Rd. and directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today – (770) 476-3678.
NORTH ATLANTA’S FOOD TOPICS ON PODCAST
Go to NorthFulton.com, click on Podcasts and select Lunch Break
8 | March 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
Empty Nest• Sponsored Section