Thrive Magazine 2022 - A Guide to Your Health and Wellness

SENIOR LIVING

Life plan community offersindependent living at its finest

By Haley Greene

Administrative assistant Fahrney Keedy Home and Village

During turbulent times of life in a pandemic, everyone seeks a sense of community – a place to belong, to be a part of something, to feel a little less alone when we must keep socially distant. Fortunately for the seniors of Washington County, there is a hidden gem waiting to be found that offers just that.

Located at the foot of South Mountain is Fahrney Keedy Home and Village, a senior living facility in rural Boonsboro that offers a variety of independent living options, a fully licensed assisted living and memory care center, as well as a skilled nursing facility for those needing shortand long-term care. By staying true to its mission of enriching the lives of seniors through quality, caring service, what started as a single log cabin on the side of Md. 66 has now become a thriving community for active seniors.

Each of our 65 homes (apartments and single-level ranch homes commonly referred to as cottages) range in size from 1,000-2,000 square feet and come fully equipped with a full kitchen, garage and laundry room. Maintenance crews handle all landscaping and snow removal, so there are no worries, regardless of the season. A meal plan with full delivery service is available. In addition to a growing village, residents also have access to a brandnew community center which features a full-service gym, recreation room, library, small meeting spaces and private rooms available to rent for special occasions. Our seniors enjoy a variety of activities like monthly book clubs, movie afternoons, Bible studies, card and game nights, craft days and birthday celebrations – including one for a resident who just turned 100 years old! Residents are also

Our seniors enjoy a variety of activities like monthly book clubs, movie afternoons, Bible studies, card and game nights, craft days and birthday celebrations.

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invited to attend Sunday services in the chapel where fellow residents play piano and assist with the service. In all areas of the campus, Covid protocols remain in place.

With close proximity to downtown Boonsboro, Hagerstown, Berkeley County, W.Va., and access to Interstates 70 and 81, residents enjoy day trips to local attractions such as museums, Civil War battlefields, theaters, plenty of shopping and restaurants. Try the Lunch Bunch, a group of men and women who get together once a month and sample new area restaurants. During the holidays, residents can find visits from trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, enjoy a Thanksgiving potluck, and take a trip to see Christmas lights downtown. On summer nights, Boonsboro fireworks over Fourth of July weekend are not to be missed. Fahrney Keedy is full of adventures for those who seek them.

With any adventure, it is not so much what you do; it is the company you keep. With all the shortages happening across the country, one thing Fahrney Keedy is never short of is friendly and caring residents who look after each other. While our residents love to exchange gifts and goodies during Christmastime, it’s not uncommon to see residents performing daily acts of kindness. Residents out for a morning walk will place newspapers at front doors to save others a trip to the mailbox. During the snowy months, neighbors will clean off each other’s cars and help shovel each other’s walkways. Are you in need of transportation to an appointment or to run an errand? Residents have no problem transporting those without a car or those unable to drive.

The friendliness of her neighbors is one reason why resident Joan Waters has enjoyed her time at Fahrney Keedy. Since moving with her husband Bill from North Carolina in 2012, she has enjoyed getting to know “happy residents and an awesome staff in a relaxing environment nestled in the mountains.”

When Bill’s health began to decline a few years ago, she praised the “excellent care” he received during his time spent in the skilled nursing department. But it’s the independent living community that truly reminds her of the compassionate care that residents receive both from staff and from each other.

“To live here in independent living,” adds Joan, “Is a sight of beauty to enjoy and a joy to behold for such friendly neighbors, fantastic care and fun at the new community center. With socials, games, movies, exercise classes and the gym area, Fahrney Keedy makes me feel young at heart.”

For more information on the independent living community at Fahrney Keedy or to schedule a tour of one of the housing options, contact Kathy Neville, director of independent living, by phone, 301-800- 7987 or email, kneville@fkhv.org.

Where will you start the next phase of your life? Hopefully with us at Fahrney Keedy!

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