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2 | November 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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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 efficient 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. Call Today for Your Personal Tour 678.710.9023 102 High Mountain Trace, Canton, Georgia 30114
GET OFF THE SIDELINES AND START LIVING! Now is the time to Buy. Great Selections Still Available. UP TO $10,000 OFF SELECT HOMES *
Just north of Atlanta, only minutes from shopping, dining, hospitals, culture and Blue Ridge is our award-winning 55+ resort- style community, Soleil Laurel Canyon.
FINAL RELEASE OF NEW HOMES Now Selling from the mid $300s
Amenity-Rich Resort Living for Active Adults
Find Your New Home at : SoleilLaurelCanyon.com Call Today for Your Personal Tour : 678.710.9258 102 High Mountain Trace : Canton, Georgia 30114
©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. * See agent for details
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NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | November 2019 | 3
Planning ahead: The when, why and how of senior living Research Your Options Once you have determined your lifestyle, begin researching and touring a range of options to know if a community is truly the right fit. While each Village Park community offers the same high quality of service and design, each location has its own unique character reflective of the surrounding neighborhood. It’s important to explore to know which community feels like a natural fit for you.
Knowing the right time to start planning for senior living can be difficult. In collaboration with residents and Village Park Senior Living’s team of senior living consultants, we identified four best practices when planning for your new home. Be Proactive “I think it’s important to take some time and not rush; however, unless you do this before you actually need it, it’s not going to be under your control,” said Clarissa Rice, resident of Village Park Alpharetta. Many seniors choose to wait until they need care and services to find a senior living community; however, planning ahead provides peace of mind, added control, and a more graceful transition. By exploring communities before you need assisted living, you have time to identify what you are seeking in a community and thoroughly evaluate your options. Not only does planning ahead give you additional time but more control. Waiting until advanced care is needed often puts adult children in the uncomfortable position of choosing where their parents live. By researching and touring communities yourself, you decide what community is the best fit for your lifestyle and needs.
Lastly, moving into independent living enables you to plant your roots and build relationships. One of the great things about Village Park is that we offer a variety of residential options that meet your desired level of independence and care when you need it. Residents can move into our completely independent homes knowing that additional care services – from independent living to memory care – is there for them if they need it.
Determine Your Lifestyle Before researching senior living communities, identify how you want your life to look and what matters to you. Do you prefer a laidback lifestyle free of cooking, cleaning, etc. or do you value added independence? At Village Park, our communities are designed to adapt to your desired levels of activity and care, so your home today can be your home for tomorrow.
Set and Communicate Goals Setting goals and communicating a plan for the transition helps you to ease into the downsizing process and keep your timeline on target. There are many wonderful downsizing resources in addition to our senior living consultants that can help you identify and move the furniture, clothes, etc. that fit your new lifestyle while addressing the emotional aspects of moving as well. Proactive and proper planning gives you peace of mind and a great start to a new chapter. At Village Park, we understand that finding the perfect fit takes time. Start the conversation with our senior living consultants at our locations listed below today.
Reimagine what’s next. Bungalows Cottages Independent Assisted Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557
WINNER 2019
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
Village Park Alpharetta 12300 Morris Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 678.740.3499
villageparkseniorliving.com
4 | November 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Longleaf Communities Brought to you by Kathy Rice Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Final opportunites available at Longleaf Communities Woodstock. Longleaf is a luxury homebuilder for active 55+ adults in metro Atlanta. Their spectacular, English Cottage style homes are designed to Rice meet the lifestyle needs and wishes of active seniors while providing low maintenance living. Longleaf Woodstock 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 Woodstock in Cherokee County has a Clubhouse and Pool, bocce
court, community gardens and a dog park) 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) 697-4984
Timeless Design. Superior Quality. Carefree Community Living. A LUXURY 55+ COMMUNITY IN WOODSTOCK
Call today for a private tour.
d. 678.697.4984 o. 770.442.7300
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.
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Emblem Alpharetta Apartments: A Symbol of Distinctive Apartment Living for 55+ Emblem Alpharetta is a prestigious apartment community for active 55+ adults located in the heart of Alpharetta, Ga. We offer spacious and open 1- and 2-bedroom floor plans and townhomes. This community provides luxury, renovated apartment homes to meet the needs of active adults in the area. Our elegant homes include wood vinyl plank flooring, subway tile backsplash, washer and dryers in every unit and gorgeous quartz countertops with under-mount sinks. Choose a sunroom or a balcony and stainless-steel appliances to add to the luxurious look. Enjoy the convenience of elevator access in all buildings and a covered garage parking deck and valet trash service. Emblem Alpharetta is located about 2.5 miles away from Avalon, a vibrant shopping and dining area. The heart of Atlanta and all major highways are easy to access for a seamless commute to the downtown area. We have an amazing activity director
that focuses solely on keeping a full calendar of social events for the community. Our weekly social hours are a big hit here at Emblem! If you enjoy playing cards or other games, join one of our groups for weekly gatherings. Coming soon to Emblem is an onsite hair and nail salon for your beauty needs as well as a gorgeous clubhouse and all new equipment in our state of the art 24-hour fitness center. Yoga, cardio strength and functional fitness are just a few of the many group fitness classes that we offer. For our residents with a green thumb, play in the dirt in our Vegetable and Flower Garden. Stop by Emblem Alpharetta at 1000 Fanfare Way, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 to see our beautiful community. You can also visit our website at www.emblem alpharettaapts.com for additional information and a gallery of our community. Give us a call today to see your new apartment home at 770-763-7458
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | November 2019 | 5
What is
home? Maybe it’s trying a new recipe with the grandkids. Maybe it’s catching up with a friend. Maybe it’s the aroma of freshly baked bread. We think it’s all of the above. Maybe that’s why so many people call Alto home. To learn more, call 678-861-8353 or visit AltoAlpharetta.com.
4125 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022 Assisted Living | Memory Care
6 | November 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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Vampires, Werewolves and PDT By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta On a certain day in autumn, your front stoop may be besieged by children dressed as super heroes, vampires or werewolves. Dr. Taylor This trick or treating tradition dates back to the early 1920’s. The legend of vampires and werewolves, however, are much older: having been mentioned throughout the Middle Ages and possibly even in the Epic of Gilgamesh from around 1800BCE. But what brought about these terrifying tales? Medicine allows for some intriguing hypotheses about how the vampire and werewolf legends arose. And, interestingly, if you or a loved one has severe sun damage or skin cancer, this information may be pertinent to your health. A class of disease called “porphyria” (pronounced poor-fear-ee-uh) may be the source of vampire and werewolf legends. Porphyrias are diseases in which someone’s body has problems making “heme,” which is the pigment that makes our blood red. Heme is a complex molecule. It contains an iron atom and a protein called a “porphyrin” (pronounced poor-for-in). Heme holds onto oxygen and allows our blood to take oxygen where it needs to go. Porphyrins are made by our bodies in eight steps. Your body starts by making a chemical called ALA (aminolevulinic acid). Then, seven enzymes make changes to ALA to ultimately create heme. Each change creates a different porphyrin. If a single enzyme is defective, then the ALA or porphyrins that the enzyme was supposed to work on start to build up. Similar to the I Love Lucy episode in which Lucille Ball cannot keep up at the chocolate factory, porphyrins start to build up on the assembly line and create a mess. Depending on which enzyme goes bad, different porphyrins will build up and cause different diseases. For the most part, these excess porphyrins cause disease in two organ systems: the nervous system and the skin. The nervous system can be damaged leading to chronic pain and even seizures. But it is particularly porphyria’s effect on the skin, hair and teeth that may form the origin of a few of folklore’s legendary creatures. Certain porphyrias can make someone’s skin so sensitive to sun light that the person’s skin is excruciatingly painful as soon as they walk out of the shade. The skin can literally
blister after a few minutes in the sun. In some types of porphyria, even small amounts of sun can, over time, lead to thickening and scarring of the skin and thick dark excess hair growth over the affected areas. Even without sun exposure, the teeth can turn red (called “erythrodontia”). Psychosis is sometimes an additional neurologic effect. Taken together, it is easy to see how conditions that can make the teeth turn red, make someone nocturnal due to pain in sunlight, and occasional excess hair growth and scarring could have led to vampire or werewolf legends. Medical literature debates whether these diseases can completely explain the legends. However, legends are often a synthesis of different fears and observations. Even if no specific individual had all the signs and symptoms in combination to perfectly mimic a vampire or werewolf, it is certainly plausible that this family of diseases in combination contributed to the development of the vampire and werewolf myths. While it may not sound appealing to be a vampire for a day, one of modern dermatology’s treatments for precancers called actinic keratoses takes advantage of the porphyrin metabolic pathways to achieve lower rates of skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (also known as PDT and blue light therapy) works because the physician essentially causes unhealthy cells to develop porphyria for a day. Aminolevulanic acid (the ALA mentioned above) is painted on sun-damaged areas. Unhealthy cells absorb the ALA and become exquisitely sun-sensitive. Healthy cells absorb little medicine. After painting ALA on the skin, the physician exposes the skin to blue light, which activates the ALA in the unhealthy cells causing the unhealthy cells to be hurt and killed. PDT and other therapies such as 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod are important tools in the dermatologist’s armamentarium for combatting pre-cancers and preventing skin cancer. We hope you enjoyed this excursion into an intriguing realm where science and legend intersect. If you are interested, there is a lot more to read on this topic, simply start Google-ing. And if you or a loved one has skin cancer, pre-cancers, vein problems or other skin care needs, consider making an appointment at Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor is a board certified dermatologist and is fellowshiptrained in Mohs surgery and varicose vein treatment.
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It’s time to care for family caregivers Brought to you by Home Helpers of Alpharetta November is National Family Caregivers Month, celebrating and drawing attention to the huge contribution and sacrifices family caregivers make as they provide for aging, chronically ill or disabled family members. A survey by AARP found that almost a third of the U.S. adult population, or over 65 million people, are caregivers who provide an average of 20 hours of care per week. A majority of caregivers are women, typically between the ages of 45 to 64. If you try to place a financial value on the hours family caregivers devote to care for a loved one, it would add up to over $400 billion dollars a year. Family caregivers, however, are often unsung heroes who place themselves at risk with added stress, less sleep and an impact on their own finances and health. Some have left a job because of the demands of caregiving, and over 30% have missed a test or treatment over the last 12 months as they pay less attention to their own preventive care. Elderly spousal caregivers who themselves are over the age of 66 and experiencing caregiver stress have a 63% higher mortality rate than non-caregivers. Caregiver support and respite care are critical needs. With the holidays and a new year fast approaching, this is a perfect time to take stock and work on ways to reduce the stress if you have or are a caregiver in your family. Rethink holiday celebrations. Ask for help from family
and friends who can take on more of the hosting and preparation chores. Simplify gift giving and give yourself or your family caregiver a break. Plan for a few hours every week to provide some time off for lunch with a friend, to take a walk, attend an exercise class or just take a nap. It’s also time to look at the benefits in-home professional care can provide for your family caregiver and your older loved one. A skilled Home Helpers caregiver helps provide some private time, lends balance and relieves some of the stress a family caregiver feels. They help provide peace of mind and ensure that both the family caregiver and older loved one in your family can enjoy life to its fullest. Caregivers can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany an older loved one on doctor’s visits or social outings and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. The companionship and skilled caregiving of a heart centered Home Helpers Caregiver for just a few days a week can make a beautiful difference in our clients’ lives. Our carefully matched and talented caregivers not only bring skills, but a positive spirit that boosts confidence and provides the best quality of life for our clients and their families. We’re here to help, whether you need just a few days a week, 24/7 or live-in care. For a free in-home consultation and personalized plan contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta today at (678) 4308511.
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | November 2019 | 7
8 | November 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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East Haven offers choices for 55+ active adult living Choosing a new home, especially when you are near retirement, must include different factors. Your home should make it simple to enjoy your lifestyle and meet new people. It should be convenient to all your favorite areas around town and it should be easy to navigate around your home. East Haven in East Cobb offers great choices for 55+ active adult living. Currently under construction, these luxury townhomes priced from $695,900 are ready to have design choices made. The model home is ready to take homeowners on a tour of what their future home may look like. Other homes are currently under
construction featuring three floors and elevator access. Lock & Leave Enjoy the greatest benefits of living in a 55 and better community. The ability to lock up your home and leave for a weekend or a month without worry is one of the best reasons to buy a home at East Haven. Choose your home from one of the 28 luxury townhomes for those who are 55 and better. While you are at home, enjoy great amenities like a social gathering area, pavilion with pool and built-in grill. Inspired living right where you want it from $695,900
Live Inspired To the ones learning, traveling, teaching, playing and dancing with this adventure called life. Here’s to fresh starts, new everything, and a home that won’t hold you back. This convenient East Cobb location provides easy access to Kennesaw
Mountain, the North Georgia Mountains and the best that Atlanta has to offer. Our sales center is located at 4241 Bishop Lake Road, Marietta, GA 30062. You can call our New Home Specialist, Deborah Cook, at 404-238-7990 to set up a private tour of these luxurious townhomes for the 55 and better.
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New home healthcare service opening in Alpharetta With 23 years of home healthcare experience, Loved Ones opens new office and offers services in Alpharetta Loved Ones will nurture the body, mind and spirit. Your loved ones will be in the best of hands. Our trained Nurses and Caregivers understand that the best outcomes are realized by treating more than just physical symptoms. “Our 23 years of experience has helped us to understand how important in-home healthcare is to provide the specific care for each person’s health needs. We also want to provide hope to each person in our care” said Brendan Skeen, CEO of Loved Ones. “We are delighted to open our newest office in the Alpharetta area.” Loved Ones Home Healthcare services include: • Certified Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care • Unique Never Alone program. One push of the emergency pendant button summons first responders and notifies
Loved Ones 8470 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Ste. 103 in the Ellard Shopping Center 470.508-0000 Facebook: @Loved Ones Cares your nurse in seconds • Nurse-Directed Care. A Registered Nurse (RN) specially trained in Home Health Services, evaluates your loved one and develops a Personal Care-Plan • Every staff member undergoes a rigorous background screening far in excess of state and federal requirements Ask for Loved Ones Free Checklist – 11 questions to ask any in-home care service. Visit our website for more information at www.LovedOnesCares.com
NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com | November 2019 | 9
10 | November 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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New fitness center opens in Alpharetta designed for 55 and over 55 Fitness is a new fitness center designed for ladies and gentleman 55 and over with equipment to help members achieve their health and fitness goals “This is our first fitness center of many that will be opening in the Atlanta area and across the country. We realize how important the right type of exercise program is to help each member achieve individual fitness goals” said Brendan Skeen, CEO of 55 Fitness. “Each member will receive the personalize attention needed to accomplish fitness goals in a safe friendly atmosphere”. If you want to continue enjoying the benefits of good health or need an exercise program to build your flexibility and increase energy, you’ll feel at home and will enjoy every workout. You’ll enjoy an invigorating workout with personal at-
tention, immediate access to the equipment and without the crowds of standard Come by for two free workout fitness clubs. sessions … no obligation Join the community of Come join the community … your friends and neighbors you’ll feel right at home here in Alpharetta for a great workout and fun…at 55 Fitness Center 55 Fitness located at 8470 8470 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Ste. 100 Holcomb Bridge Rd in the in the Ellard Shopping Center Ellard Shopping Center. 470.394-0000 Join us for a Free Visit our website: www.55Fitness.com workout…If you want to Facebook @my55FIT feel great and look your best, come in and get to know us…we’re in the neighborhood.
Visit 55 Fitness Center
The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the most unique and comprehensive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Devoted specifically to memory care, our expertly designed program meets the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community. We understand a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean you or your loved one stops living, rather it means finding new ways to live by providing assistance to maintain an active and meaningful lifestyle. Our residents enjoy music, dancing, live entertainment, art, gardening, - even outings, pet therapy and religious services. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or ice cream at the Bull Dog Café. All residents experience socialization and activities accessible across all levels of dementia. Even those who need 24/7 care benefit from life at The Memory Center. Overseen by our medical director who
specializes in the field of geriatric healthcare, our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants provide the best 24/7 care. Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one receives care. If you are considering memory care, we encourage you to explore options as early as possible. Take the time to ask questions, tour and include your loved one in the decision making process. Transitioning to memory care early ensures the best quality of life with daily socialization and engaging activities designed to meet the needs of you or your loved one. Get in touch - ask us a question or schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta to learn more about how our team provides a seamless transition for your loved one into their new home. Located at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile from Medlock Bridge Rd. directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today, (770) 476-3678.
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12 | November 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com
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