A lifestyle with all the advantages Summer 2018 IN THIS ISSUE
Four Seasons Open House PAGE 2
Why Choose Laurel Lake? Seven Key Advantages PAGE 3
Wellness That Says Wow: Fitness & Aquatic Center PAGE 4
Bridging the Generation Gap, One Meal at a Time PAGE 6
Mother-Daughter Duo Finds Greater Freedom
Four Seasons Open House Get a taste of Laurel Lake at our next Four Seasons Open House, where you’ll enjoy seasonal appetizers and great conversation with residents. The event features a Walking Tour of the Town Center and select private apartment and villa homes, each showcasing unique design options.
Space is limited. Reservations are required. To RSVP, please call 330-650-2100 today! August 16 n October 11
Join us for lunch at 1:00 PM, followed by tours at 2:00 PM.
Would you like to visit sooner? Please call us any time to arrange a private tour.
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2018 Garden Tour PAGE 10
Crown Center Earns Five Star CMS Rating PAGE 10
Laurel Lake Hospice PAGE 10
Wait List? Good Sign PAGE 12
on the cover
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a strong flier who loves to siphon mineral salts from puddles, forming “puddle clubs.” Butterflies, bees and other pollinators find Laurel Lake, with its wildflower meadow and many gardens, to be an ideal environment.
contact us Laurel Lake Retirement Community 200 Laurel Lake Drive Hudson, Ohio 44236 www.laurellake.org info@laurellake.org 330-650-2100
Mission Statement – Laurel Lake strives to be the community of choice for adults who aspire to lead lives filled with meaning, purpose, and lifelong opportunities for growth and service. 22
Laurel Laurel Lake Lake Living Living II Summer Fall 20102018
We are a not-for-profit Life Plan Community offering multiple home styles on 150 acres in Hudson, Ohio. We are committed to Equal Opportunity in housing and employment.
Why choose Laurel Lake? Seven key advantages
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ccording to Pew Research to receive it here, without leaving and caring staff, including ten campus – and without a sudden life enrichment specialists whose Center, approximately 10,000 major spike in your monthly fee sole focus is to plan hundreds Baby Boomers turned 65 today. due to the need for enhanced care. of inspiring social, recreational, Roughly the same number will With the payment of a one-time cultural, and educational programs reach retirement age each day for entrance fee and a monthly service for residents each month. The the next decade. That’s a lot of fee, Laurel Lake residents with Type result? A dynamic place that keeps retirees! And it explains why the A plans need not worry about the you active and interested in life. senior living industry in the U.S. is potentially devastating effects of a booming, with new housing under #4 Location, Location, Location long-term nursing home stay on construction everywhere you look. Laurel Lake sits in the heart their finances. Their contract assures Shopping for a retirement of charming historic Hudson, them unlimited days in assisted community takes careful research. consistently ranked among Ohio’s living or skilled nursing care, at Your decision will be based on “Safest Cities” and Cleveland little extra cost. No other retirement many factors – location, amenities, Magazine’s “Best of the Suburbs” community in Cuyahoga, Summit, housing options, health services, (this year we’re No. 6 on the list). Portage or Stark Counties offers quality ratings, cost, and more. We are one mile from downtown such a tremendous value. As you shop, here’s a timely Hudson and one mile from Route reminder of what makes Laurel 8 and the Ohio Turnpike, with easy #2 Customizable Homes Lake unique. This popular Life Laurel Lake gives you a wide access to the best of Cleveland/ Plan Community offers seven key variety of apartment and villa floor Akron arts, entertainment, and advantages that few other providers plans from which to choose, and world class health care. Close to can come close to matching. greater flexibility in customizing everything, but away from it all. your future home than many #1 The Life Care Difference #5 A Green Environment communities will allow. Upgrade Laurel Lake is one of only a Few communities in Ohio are your kitchen, add hardwood floors, handful of communities in Ohio expand your living space or design a blessed with a campus like ours. to offer Type A “Extensive” Life new patio – as long as you’re willing Only 65% of Laurel Lake’s 150Care. With Life Care, you can live to pay for the changes, Laurel Lake acre site has been developed. The a vibrant lifestyle today without rest is a beautiful natural preserve can help you make them happen. worries about the rising costs of of wildlife habitat with woodlands, long term care. No matter what A Vibrant Community #3 lakes and wetlands – interlaced with level of supportive living you may This thriving “small town” of (continued on page 4...) need in the future, you’ll be able 500 people employs a dedicated Laurel Lake Living I Summer 2018
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(continued from page 3...) walking paths, courtyards and community gardens. There’s even a 3-hole practice golf course! And the 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park is close by. Environmental sustainability is a core value, influencing every aspect of Laurel Lake’s daily operations and strategic planning.
Wellness THAT SAYS
“Wow”
#6 On-site Health Services
Everything you need to support a healthy lifestyle is available right here. Resources include a state-of-the-art Fitness & Aquatic Center; a Wellness Center offering medical, dental, podiatric, audiology and counseling services; a full-service Therapy Center; Greenwood assisted living; and the 5-star CMS rated Crown Center for skilled nursing and rehabilitation. No other facility in the greater Hudson area has such comprehensive health services – and all under one roof.
#7 A Sterling Reputation
Over the past 30 years, Laurel Lake has earned a welldeserved reputation as one of the most trusted senior living providers in Ohio. This missiondriven organization devotes its resources toward innovative, quality care for residents. As a not-for-profit organization, we are committed to operating with transparency and share detailed information about our finances with the public on our website. These are just a few of the ways that Laurel Lake stands out from the crowd. To explore more advantages of living in this beautiful community, call 330650-2100 today to request a brochure or plan a visit.
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New Fitness & Aquatic Center will inspire you!
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arlier this year, Laurel Lake officially opened its new Fitness & Aquatic Center and Salon—Phase III of the community’s $7.3 million Town Center Expansion. These new facilities, the truest demonstration of Laurel Lake’s commitment to wellness, are inspiring hundreds of residents and staff to lead healthier, more active lives.
FITNESS NEVER FELT SO GOOD Building strength for daily living is easier in the spacious new Fitness Center with its expanded line of exercise equipment. Floorto-ceiling windows offer amazing views of Greenwood Courtyard, while TV displays make longer workouts on the treadmills, bikes, elliptical or rowing machines more appealing. Residents love the bright new Exercise Studio, large enough to accommodate the most popular Line Dancing, Yoga, Tai Chi and Functional Fitness classes. In the Aquatic Center, swimmers enter Laurel Lake’s new 60-foot Exercise Pool effortlessly using a “zero entry” ramp. The big pool’s flexible design easily accommodates lap swimming, water aerobics and volleyball, aquatic therapy, and family fun. The 20-foot Warm Water Therapy Pool is ideal for relaxation and one-on-one therapy sessions. Soaring windows and natural timbers in the Aquatic Center create a lodge-like feeling year round, while the pools’ state-of-the-art ultraviolet light filtration systems significantly reduce the amount of chemicals needed to maintain crystal clear water. In the new Spa Salon, men and women can pamper themselves with a menu of rejuvenating personal care services—manicures, pedicures, facials, color, cut, and style—to look and feel their best. A relaxing Massage Therapy room has also been added. MORE CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS TO COME! Planning is underway for Phase IV of Laurel Lake’s Town Center Expansion, with construction planned for 2019. In Phase IV, Laurel Lake’s Community Room will be enlarged and renovated, the former Pub will be repurposed, and more. More details to follow!
Photo courtesy of HUR Fitness
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Pictured here, Eddie Hsu banters with Charlotte and Joe Banzer in the Greenwood Grille. Below, Reggie Bates refreshes Jessica Mader’s coffee.
Bridging the generation gap, one meal at a time
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reat food is a given at Laurel Lake. The community boasts three main restaurants – Lakeside Dining Room, The Greenwood Grille, and The Bistro – and four smaller dining rooms, each venue distinctive in its décor and cuisine. With favorites like lobster tail, sizzling steaks and stir fry, buildyour-own pizzas, wraps and salads,
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and an array of healthy side dishes, all topped off with chocolate lava cake or an ice cream sundae, it’s easy to see why the dinner hour is such a crowd pleaser. But the dining experience at Laurel Lake goes much further than just eating. An unexpected bonus is the strong friendships that blossom between residents and the more than 68 dining room servers who rotate through the campus schedule on any given day. Ranging in age from 16-year-old high school students to those in graduate school and beyond, Laurel Lake servers bring a unique blend of personality, strong work ethic and fun into the dining rooms. “These kids are very determined and ambitious,” says Dining Room Manager Gina Alesci. “They’re good students, musicians, actors and citizens. They’re involved with
their families, their churches and in extra-curricular activities.” Many find that serving at Laurel Lake is a great first job because managers understand that family and school come before work, and schedule accordingly.
MAKING THE MAGIC HAPPEN Stepping into Laurel Lake’s big commercial kitchen at meal time is like being backstage before a wellrehearsed Broadway show. Each team member has a specific job – serving, putting trays together, clearing or setting tables – and once the dinner hour starts, they’re off and running. Choreographing efforts behind the scenes are the Dining Room Coordinators. They create the work schedule, offer advice to new servers and make sure mealtime flows the way it should.
But the real magic happens when servers push through those swinging doors, out onto the main floor where residents are waiting. “We love them all!” resident Charlotte Banzer enthuses. She and her husband Joe moved to Laurel Lake four years ago. “We call them ‘the grandkids.’” The Banzers have watched servers graduate from college, start new jobs and get married. “These kids are very special,” Charlotte says. “We consider it the highest compliment when they come into the dining room just to see us, or visit on their day off.” The Banzers have dinner each Saturday evening with friends in Lakeside. “What really impresses Joe and me is that these kids have their act together. They have a plan, especially when they start college and get a job. They’re hard working and focused.” Eddie Hsu, one of the Banzer’s honorary “grandkids,” has been employed at Laurel Lake for about eight years. Working in both Greenwood and Lakeside, Eddie puts in 20 to 40 hours a week and is now a lead server. He graduated last December with a business management degree.
“My favorite job as a lead server is training new staff,” he says. “It’s an important role because how they turn out is a reflection of you.” Eddie is fond of the residents. “I like how friendly they are! They’re very interactive and care about your school life and social life.” Julie Trexler is also a long-time server. She started her junior year of high school and is now in graduate school at Cleveland State University, studying speechlanguage pathology. She also has a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Bowling Green. “Wow, time flies!” she laughs. Julie says the residents have really broadened her perspective on life. “They provide an outlook on life that I would not experience otherwise. I value the conversations and life experiences they share.” Resident Evelyn Brown is delighted with the bond she has formed with Laurel Lake servers. “A couple I consider my personal friends. Some have left and I’m still in touch with them.” Evelyn even attended one server’s wedding. Evelyn, who has lived at Laurel Lake for seven years, has a busy social life, but manages to squeeze in some dinners at home.
“Once I was in the small dining room for a get together,” she says. “With dinner service winding down, the server stopped to chat with us and before I realized it, everyone was gone except us. Then another server came in and all of a sudden, there were five of us! It was like a small party.” Server Reggie Bates says it’s impossible to have a bad day when working with the residents. “No matter what your day has been like before arriving work, someone is guaranteed to make you smile,” Reggie grins. The server/resident relationship is not only rewarding, it also helps these young people prepare for their future careers as they learn all about customer service, communication, empathy and excellence. With scholarship and tuition assistance programs available, many servers work through high school right up to college graduation. And who better to offer the servers support on their life journeys—with all their hopes, challenges and successes— than a room full of caring “grandparents,” seasoned professionals who have a lifetime of work experience and good advice to share?
Julie Trexler serves Lou and Lucy Best in The Bistro.
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Mother-Daughter duo finds greater freedom M
other and daughter duo Kathy & Gail Pavick love everything about Laurel Lake – the activities, the people, the staff, and best of all, the freedom! Their story is different from most people searching for the next step in life that guarantees peace of mind. And the road that led them to Laurel Lake was a blend of faith, love, tragedy and triumph. Natives of Warren, Ohio, Gail is the youngest of Kathy and Bob Pavick’s three girls. She excelled in swimming and earned a scholarship to Eastern Illinois University, where she continued to excel in academics and the pool. At 21, she was set to graduate with a degree in secondary education focusing on health and physical education. Her next step was graduate school at Michigan State for sports medicine. Those plans changed in an instant when Gail’s car was hit head-on by a tractor trailer truck. She would spend the next few years of her life in hospitals, first fighting to survive, then beginning the slow process of healing after multiple surgeries and the devastating effects of traumatic brain injury. Through it all, her mom stayed by her side as Dad traveled back and forth between work and the hospital. Due to her brain injury, Gail faced the herculean task of having to relearn everything from feeding and dressing herself to walking and communicating. She and her mom traveled to the Phoenix Neurological Institute in Arizona so Gail could retrain her brain. “They drilled me,” Gail says. “I didn’t even know when I was hungry. My brain couldn’t tell me.”
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The program also taught practical skills and when Gail and Kathy returned to Warren, Gail spent the next 15 years working for a medical supply company. The family built a new home and pool with easy access for Gail.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE With amazing support from her family, especially her mom, Gail not only survived the accident, but began to thrive. When she joined the choir at their church, Gail remembers her dad being shocked. “He said, ‘but you can’t sing!’ I said, ‘I know that and you know that, but they don’t know that,’” Gail laughs. The family took many cruises together. They even attended the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta to cheer on Gail’s former teammate, Melanie Valerio, as she won a gold medal in the 4x100-meter Freestyle Relay. But when Bob passed away in 2015, Kathy began to worry in earnest about her daughter’s future.
They hoped to stay close to their family, friends and church, but none of the retirement facilities nearby would accept Gail. “I’m underage,” Gail, 56, jokes. Nothing was available for people under 62 with her special needs. With daughters Debra and Cheryl in Chicago and Atlanta, Kathy expanded the search farther into Ohio and other states. Only nursing homes were available for Gail and that was not an option. Finally they settled on a facility in Austin, Texas that could provide both independence for Gail and levels of care for the future. But fate had other plans. Even as Kathy was finalizing arrangements to move Gail to Texas, her sisterin-law Sue discovered Laurel Lake. As president of the Twinsburg Garden Club, she was dropping off information for a resident. She asked if Laurel Lake would accept her niece. The answer? Yes, Laurel Lake does allow adult children with
special needs to live in the community with their parents. Coincidentally, the first apartment they toured belonged to a longtime friend from Warren. By the time they saw the Vistas and Conversions – large apartments with open floor plans – they knew Laurel Lake was exactly what they had been looking for.
NO BOUNDARIES Today the Pavicks’ apartment is open and welcoming. Beautiful hardwood floors run the length of the space filled with treasures collected over the years. In this open floor plan, Gail maneuvers easily using her power chair. Her custom-designed bathroom has everything she needs to live independently. With an outgoing personality, Gail is well-known around campus. Chair volleyball, tai chi, Exer-flex, yoga, Scrabble, and swimming in
Laurel Lake’s brand new 60-foot pool are just a few of her interests. “As we were unpacking, I told Gail to head down to the activity board to see what was happening,” Kathy recalls. “She was excited that Scrabble was on the schedule. I was thrilled I didn’t have to play!” Once settled in, Kathy was finally able to schedule the knee replacement surgery she had been putting off for years. A short rehab stay in Laurel Lake’s Crown Center soon had her back on her feet. Meanwhile, Gail was able to stay alone in the apartment with no problems – exactly what Kathy hoped for when they moved to Laurel Lake. “The staff and residents are so accepting of Gail,” Kathy says, adding that her daughter was invited to dine with friends on Wednesday nights. “After my surgery when I finally felt good enough to head down to dinner,
Gail grinned at me and said ‘It’s Wednesday, Mom. Where will you be eating?’” A relative who recently came to watch one of Gail’s volleyball games asked the million dollar question: “Gail, you’ve been competitive all of your life. How do you feel now?” Her answer? “I feel alive again!” As Gail wholeheartedly throws herself into life at Laurel Lake, it’s actually Kathy who is redefining her identity these days. After years working as head cashier at Sparkle Market and 34 years as Gail’s lead caregiver, teacher, cheerleader and counselor, she’s ready for some independence of her own. Mahjong, Pinochle, Euchre, and water aerobics are a good start. With new friends, fun activities and an amazing support system, this dynamic duo is ready to enjoy all the good things life has to offer.
In an epic Volleyball battle on June 12, the Laurel Lake Lightning (Residents) crushed the Thunder (Management), winning two of three games. The wellcoached and highly disciplined Lightning used teamwork, impressive volleys and great ball control to dominate the series. The Thunder fought hard, but despite their secret weapon (Housekeeping Director Ryan Camp) showcasing a nine-foot reach, they could not prevail. Laurel Lake’s resident volleyball team competes with senior living teams throughout the region. Laurel Lake Living I Summer 2018
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2018
garden tour June 26 dawned sunny and bright—perfect for the Laurel Lake 2018 Garden Tour! Carts zipped around the 150-acre campus, taking residents off road to explore 16 private gardens, 3 “hidden” gems, 11 Adopt-a-Spots, the Community Garden, and more. A self-guided Garden Tour Map was provided for those who preferred to walk the route, describing each garden and the residents who created them. Kudos to the Garden & Grounds Committee for a wonderful event!
Crown Center earns five star rating
The Crown Center at Laurel Lake has earned a Five-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Five-Star Quality Rating System ranks nursing facilities to provide consumers with an easy-tounderstand assessment of nursing home quality. The system reviews four performance measures: Health Inspections, Staffing, RN Staffing, and Quality Measures. The Crown Center received a five out of five star rating overall, placing it in the top 10 percent of the best nursing facilities in Ohio and the nation. Located in the heart of Laurel Lake, the 75-bed Crown Center offers personalized and compassionate short term rehab and long term care to Laurel Lake 10
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residents and non-residents alike. To inquire about Crown Center direct admission or outpatient therapy, call 330-655-1451.
Laurel Lake Hospice
Laurel Lake has added an important new resource for residents and their families: Laurel Lake Hospice. The service offers vital support to individuals anywhere on campus who face life limiting illnesses – in apartments or villas, Greenwood assisted living, or in the Crown Center. People nearing their journey’s end find peace when they are given choices, control, and the gift of time to reconnect with family and friends. Caregivers find peace when their loved one is cared for by a compassionate team skilled in
providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support during one of life’s most challenging times. To create the service, Laurel Lake has joined with Northeast Ohio Hospice. Two other well-respected Cleveland area nonprofits – Eliza Jennings and Jennings Center – are also founding members of Northeast Ohio Hospice. The creation of Laurel Lake Hospice was made possible through an establishing grant from The Laurel Lake Foundation. To learn more, call the Laurel Lake Hospice 24-hour Care Line at 216-365-3411 today. Or, visit www.LaurelLakeHospice.org.
Laurel Lake partners with University Circle to offer Distance Learning programs. Recent topics: “The Wright Brothers First in Flight”; “Archeology in Israel”; “Plant Adaptations in Wetlands”; “Los Veteranos - Latinos in WWII”; and “Sailing for Science - Voyage of the Blossom.” Field trips, like this one in July to Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Journey of the Blossom exhibit, are part of the learning experience. Fall 2018 classes will be posted on www.laurellake.org Sept. 1.
HAPPENINGS n Bella Bleu’s July 24 – Lunch Bunch heads to Ashland to dine at Water's Edge. n Oklahoma! August 1 – Porthouse Theatre production of the smash hit Broadway musical. n Pack the Pond August 6 – Hudson Springs Park invites area residents to “Pack the Pond” with canoes, kayaks, more! n Yo-Yo Ma Plays Bach August 12 – YoYo Ma performs Bach’s complete cello suites under the stars at Blossom Music Center. n Frank and Ella August 19 – Cleveland Orchestra, guest vocalists light up the Blossom stage with red hot hits from Frank Sinatra & Ella Fitzgerald.
A sampling of events laurel lake residents are enjoying this summer
n Cleveland Metroparks Zoo August 29 – Residents can explore 183 acres of animal habitat at the zoo’s annual Senior Safari. n Soap Box Derby Senior Day August 30 – Goggles on! Race down the famous Derby Downs track in adult-size cars. n Rubberducks vs. Bowie Baysox August 30 – Laurel Lakers will see the Akron Rubberducks take on the Bowie Baysox at Canal Park with post-game fireworks!
n Taste of Hudson September 2-3 – Two day food festival in downtown Hudson with live music, wine & beer tasting.
Sing, sing, sing!
The Laurel Lake Encore Chorale invites singers age 55 and up to join our 75-voice choir—especially tenors and basses! No auditions, and participation is free. We sing a wide variety of musical styles in four (or more) part harmony. Kick-off rehearsal is Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 3:00 PM at Laurel Lake. Call Donna at 330-655-1436 to register. Laurel Lake Living I Summer 2018
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Cleveland, OH PERMIT NO. 491
200 Laurel Lake Drive Hudson OH 44236 1-866-650-2100 www.laurellake.org
Wait List? Good Sign
Let’s say you’ve made the decision to downsize. You find the perfect community in an idyllic location with all the amenities you want. You’re ready to move – but then you find out that your dream community has a wait list. Don’t be discouraged. A healthy wait list – like Laurel Lake’s – is a strong indicator of a financially stable, highly recommended, well managed community. Joining our Wait List is a smart move for forward-thinking people who believe Laurel Lake is the right choice for their future.Placing your name on our list does not bind you
to a commitment to move in, so it’s worth the investment of time and money now to secure the option. As a Wait List member, you can get a “head start” on Laurel Lake’s healthy lifestyle today while planning for your future move. You can enjoy campus activities, dine in our restaurants (charges apply) and use the Fitness & Aquatic Center.
HOW DO I JOIN THE WAIT LIST? First, you’ll complete an application and schedule a Wellness Assessment (interview). If you are approved for independent living, your next step will be to sign the Wait List Agreement and write a deposit check for 10% of the
entrance fee for the home style you prefer (the deposit will be applied to your entrance fee at move-in). If you change your mind, all but $1,000 of the deposit will be refunded. If you must cancel due to circumstances beyond your control, your deposit will be fully refunded. When an apartment or villa becomes available, it will be offered to the next person on the Wait List. You may decline without penalty and without losing your place on the Wait List. Once you accept a residence, you’ll have up to four months to complete your move. To consider your possible next step, call 330-650-2100 today!
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