Today’s Woman / October 2020
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Raising Changemakers By Megan M. Seckman Photos by Patti Hartog
Sisters Rylyn and Raegan work at the picnic table in their backyard (the table is now a beautiful rainbow of colors thanks to their spray painting). The girls are wearing the shirts they designed for their Be Kind organization. Follow BeKindOldhamCounty on Facebook.
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ark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” On the day our children are born, our hearts are filled with hope for their futures. We bring them into the world and wish them to be strong, healthy, happy, intelligent, capable, and good despite the inherent suffering around us. We hope, in the deep pulp of our hearts, for their lives to have purpose. We hope that their tiny hands will help others, and their hearts will be filled with empathy for others. We hope they might change the world. In this article, you will meet several young change-makers, who have used their power to serve others and the families who nurtured them to find their “why.”
JUST BE KIND We’ve all been there in some shape, form, or fashion. Side of the road. Flat tire. Fiery, frustrated, fuming. Hungry, hot, and tired. This recipe for the classic category five family meltdown, however, sparked an ironically positive change in Raegan (11) and Rylyn (9) Richins’ lives forever. On a road trip in LaRue County, when tensions and tempers were high, the girls looked up from their iPads and noticed a little sign on the side of the road that read “Just Be Kind.” Once they opened their eyes to the first sign, they noticed several others that peppered the landscape — and the simple message made them instantly feel better. “It came when we needed it most,” says their mother Rhonda Richins. “The girls have three siblings with Down
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syndrome, the oldest of which also has autism and other significant issues. That sign on the road helped us in that moment. “One night, several weeks later, we were having a hard evening with their sister, and the girls brought up the sign,” Rhonda recalls. They wondered if they could replicate this concept in their Oldham County community, sell the signs, and donate the money to charities that help children with special needs like their sisters. So Raegan and Rylyn started making and selling their hand painted “BE KIND” signs around Oldham County, and in less than a year have cranked out over 1,500 signs that can be seen in front yards, businesses, and schools throughout the county. The girls have also been featured on the news, were successful in petitioning the Oldham County City Counsel to deem LaGrange as “The Kindness Capital of Kentucky,” and have donated money to Pillar (a non-profit dedicated to helping older individuals with intellectual disabilities), Blessings in a Backpack, and the Oldham County Humane Society. “The signs make people happy and allow the girls to be creative. Little did we know that just after the girls started this project, their sister was going to be hospitalized for six months. It has been a natural medicine — a true gift for our family,” Rhonda says. “I might change my mind if we had to do this all over again,” Rhonda says with a chuckle. “It has been a labor of love to make an average of 100 signs a week with a child in the hospital. But when we were having a really bad day, serving others always cheered us up. It has given my daughters a voice. PAGE 52 >>
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Landry Feldmeier became active in Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Louisville, a non-profit, student-led organization that fills needs in the community by committing random acts of service to other teenagers.
They know that age doesn’t matter when you want to make a change, and that kindness can be shown in many ways. It has made them independent thinkers.” Rhonda says that the signs seem to soften others’ hearts, and often when they deliver the signs, people will throw in a few extra bucks for supplies, donate old paint, or pitch in for ice cream for the girls. “It has been more than just two words; it has been a movement,” Rhonda says. “We need that reminder to be kind now more than ever.”
TAKING CARE OF OTHERS, LOVING YOURSELF Before Landry Feldmeier, 16, became 2019’s Miss Kentucky Outstanding Teen and runner-up in the Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant, she was dedicated to a life of service. A family tradition in the Feldmeier home was to take the mischievous “Elf on the Shelf” and assign a daily mission of service to him once he was found. In addition to adopting children from foster care, the Feldmeiers also had an advent calendar that recommended a daily act of service instead of a cheap chocolate. This practice inspired Landry to view service as a way of life. Service, to Landry, was seen as an integral part of life satisfaction, not a chore. It is what makes you feel good. Amy Feldmeier, Landry’s mother, began by teaching manners to her small children and teaching them to notice, with intention, when people are struggling around you. Amy’s
motto was “JOY: Jesus, Others, Yourself” — meaning that in order to truly feel joy, one needs to honor the tenets of Jesus and take care of others, and this helps you to love yourself. This background led Landry to become active in Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Louisville, a non-profit, student-led organization that fills needs in the community by committing random acts of service to other teenagers. During the quarantine, RAK noticed a food security issue in Louisville as schools began to shut down. So, Landry and the other RAK volunteers assembled 10,000 snack bags to be distributed as supplements for needy families. Landry’s personal motto is “Be bold, be kind,” and through her service with RAK and other non-profits like Opal’s Dream (an organization that grants wishes to patients in nursing homes), she has learned confidence in her ability to be a change-maker. “My outlook on life has changed. My goals are now centered on looking out for others. Once I realized the power of giving back, it was revolutionary for finding myself. I’m now always interested in how I can mischievously “RAK” someone. I’ve noticed when I give back, my bad days become better. It helps me move on,” Landry says. And what changes has Amy seen in Landry since she dedicated her life to service? Amy says service has helped her daughter with communication and leadership. She has witnessed her daughter’s positive impact on other teens. “When you meet her in person,” Amy notes, “it is hard not to catch her warmth.” PAGE 54 >>
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Today’s Woman / October 2020
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BROOKLYN & THE ADVENTURES OF BUDDY LUV
Brooklyn’s book The Adventures of Buddy Luv should be out in the next few weeks. She has plans to make this a series of 4-5 books and a coloring book. The illustrator of the book is an 18-year-old girl who was a Dream Factory recipient.
Brooklyn Roller will be the first to admit that she is not your average teenager. When school was in session, you wouldn’t find her at football games or social events. Instead, Brooklyn spends her free time in the community volunteering. And at 17, she has used the extra time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic to write a children’s book inspired by her experiences in community service. The Adventures of Buddy Luv was inspired by her time spent with the Dream Factory, the nation’s largest wish-granting organization for children with chronic or critical conditions. As a participant in the Miss Kentucky Outstanding Teen pageant, Brooklyn chose this organization as her platform, and she has been helping to grant chronically and critically ill children’s wishes since she was a second grader. “Making a difference is motivating. It has improved my self-confidence, and I’ve been able to have so many life experiences by helping others. I have learned to be grateful and don’t take anything for granted,” Brooklyn says. Brooklyn was taught at a young age to lead with a servant’s heart. This concept came to light when she was seven and met Ryan, who had spina bifida. “She always had a smile on her face despite her suffering and constant surgeries. Her dream was granted to see Disney World, and that inspired me to spread the Dream Factory’s mission.” Since Ryan, Brooklyn has served countless other children and sees the organization’s recipients as family. As an ambassador to the organization, she was tasked with designing a teddy bear with a Dream Factory T-shirt to hand out to Dream Factory recipients. “I struggled with the name of the bear. My dog, Buddy, had recently passed away, so I decided to name the bear ‘Buddy Luv’ because I believe that everyone needs some “Buddy” to love. When we started passing out Buddy Luv, the kids wanted to know the story behind the bear. That is where the idea for my book came from. The Adventures of Buddy Luv is about giving back, and that no matter who you are, or your background, everyone deserves love.”
ARTISTIC STATEMENT As with many Americans, the televised murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer shocked 10-year-old Sophie Barder on a profound level. In the Barber household, “no question is off the table,” says Amy Barber, Sophie’s mother. So, the family began some in-depth conversations about the inequalities in our community when it comes to education, resources, housing, and the treatment of disenfranchised groups. “We’ve always taught openness and acceptance to all, but she started asking questions and became so much more aware of the layers of inequality. As parents, you want to keep children in their safe bubble, but we had to discuss these issues, as difficult as they are, in an age-appropriate way. What was going on in the news and in our community with the death of Breonna Taylor, well, we couldn’t not talk about it.” Sophie’s father, Brian, says that Sophie is a natural empath who has always asked what she can do for those she sees that are suffering. Sophie, raised by two artists, decided the best way to contribute to the cause was to use her artistic abilities. She decided to hand-paint Black Lives Matter signs and sell them to friends, families, and neighbors, and then donate the money to Play Cousins Collective, a West End non-profit dedicated to strengthening Black families by providing the resources, opportunities, and support systems needed for success. “When she finds an idea she cares about, she gives 110%. Sophie is a doer; she is not in it for accolades. It just makes her feel good,” Brian says.
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Sophie Barber paints in acrylic on canvas and she paints her signs to order. You can see that her signs include the names of shooting victims.
Since the inception of “Sophie’s Originals” (a title her friends and family have coined) in mid-May, she has raised over $2,000 for Play Cousins Collective and has also volunteered her time with the organization. “Police, themselves, killed George Floyd and didn’t stop or do anything about it,” Sophie says. “I just feel like everyone should be equally treated. I just wanted to do something about it.”
Today’s Woman / October 2020
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THREE WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN AT HOME. NO TRICK! By Tonilyn Hornung
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y 7-year-old’s costume bin is filled with possibilities. In the morning, my son can attend a fancy dress party in Neverland as Peter Pan and then in the afternoon fly off to the desert for sandcastle building as Aladdin. Playing dress-up has always been a fun way for my little guy to express his creativity, and every year his kiddie-cosplay excitement spills over into Halloween. Right after the Easter Bunny drops off his basket, my kid begins planning his Halloween costume. His ideas are discussed and discarded and finally, his outfit choice is stated with a grand proclamation: “Mom and Dad, for Halloween I’ve decided I don’t want to dress up as Buzz Lightyear, or a ghost, or Donald O’Connor. I want to be…Indiana Jones.” My kid takes this holiday very seriously. This year, however, this family is serious about bringing Halloween indoors. Our social distancing practices are making our usual door-to-door trick-or-treating adventures look a whole lot different. The change is seriously disappointing my little guy, so we’ve come up with some solutions to keep the spooky spirit of Halloween alive with all the treats and none of the tricks. Here are some boo-tiful activities we’ve come up with so far.
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1. Make a neighborhood scavenger hunt: Get ready for a fun family trip around the neighborhood! Make a checklist (or find a free printable one available online) and look for fake spider webs, spooky decorations, ghostly lights, a scary skeleton, or anything else that your imagination can devise! This is a great way for you and your family to treat yourself to some quality bonding time and a fun way to build up the excitement of Halloween. Hunting for haunting holiday-themed items is also an activity you can use in place of trickor-treating if you’re staying close to home. 2. Create an in-house candy treasure hunt with clues: “Treasure hunts on rainy days are grand, especially when it leads you to where the umbrellas stand.” With the riddle solved, I see a flash of a kid running to our umbrella stand. My son cheers when he finds another hidden clue. This pattern continues until he solves the very last question that leads him to a waiting treasure. My kid loves a classic treasure hunt, and Halloween is the perfect backdrop to bust out a mysterious hunt for ghostly treasure. To create your own quest at home, start with a clue that leads to a location or another item. Then, have a question waiting in that spot. Continue with these fun riddle-like hints until the very end where a large treasure trove of Halloween candy is waiting to be discovered and devoured! 3. Trick-or-treat in your own home: This one is for the little ones — or the big ones who want more candy. Have a parent (or older sibling) stand behind doors in your home ready to give out candy, stickers, or even blow bubbles. Children can practice knocking and saying their “trick-or-treating” line as many times as they’d like. You can set a spooky mood with music and decorations or keep the ambiance light and happy, depending on what works best for your family. Halloween is at the top of my little guy’s list for all-time favorite holidays. For one special night, he’s allowed to show the outside world his own inner world and express his individuality while on the greatest of sugar-highs. I’m trying to keep the fun alive with one-of-a-kind activities so my son’s disappointment won’t haunt us for years to come.
My Motherin-Law is Unlikeable By Joyce Oglesby
Q: “My son wants to quit school.
Academics is not his strong point, but he’s an extremely hard worker. He has serviced grass in our neighborhood since he was able to push a mower, and the business has expanded to providing for total lawn care. I stress to him the importance of getting his diploma, but he says that he can get his GED and still become what he has always planned for his career — a landscaper. How do I encourage him to finish his last year without damaging our relationship?” Joyce’s FIX: I agree a diploma is
important; however, a GED is the equivalent of a high school degree, if that’s as far as he intends to go with his education. It appears he has a plan for his life, he’s good at what he does, and he has a strong work ethic. Most of us know many people who have been extremely successful as entrepreneurs even with limited degrees. Fighting this decision of his could be an exhausting yearlong battle for both of you. Supporting his natural gifts secures your relationship. As a parent, I would insist in your compromise that the GED be achieved before he disregards his senior-year responsibility.
Struggling with a relationship issue? Write Joyce Oglesby, Family Life FIX-IT Pro at justaskjoyce@gmail.com and find a solution for life.
Q: “There’s nothing about my mother-in-law I like. I tolerate
her because she is my husband’s mother, but we are like oil and water when we get together. She’s not a pleasant person to be around. She’s had a difficult life and, apparently, is very bitter over the loss of a child and an eventual divorce. My husband feels I should be more sympathetic toward her. We are arguing more because when my baby comes in October, I certainly don’t want his mother’s negative, sour attitude influencing my child. How can I convince my husband of our need to pull back from her?” Joyce’s FIX: It’s difficult for me to decide whose attitude might be more harmful
to the child — yours or hers. After all, your son belongs to your husband, as well. I’m not dismissing your analysis of your mother-in-law at all. I am wondering, however, if perhaps a little more patience and understanding might be appropriate on your part? Now that you will be a mother, you should have a keener sense of the gravity on one’s heart when a child predeceases the parent. It is a huge loss. However, it’s not a rite of passage that allows one to become embittered and allow resentfulness to affect others, nor to permit it to destroy one’s peace of mind. Many loving couples have parted ways after the death of a child. Most of us would be challenged in a battle of this magnitude. I would encourage you that honey attracts more flies than vinegar. Why not make some surprise one-on-one visits to your mother-in-law? Sit down. Share a cup of coffee and a piece of the pie or cookies you bring along. Engage in meaningful conversation. Ask her to share her feelings about her tremendous loss, how she found the strength to walk through the storm, what it did to her emotionally, how she managed to carry on in rearing her other children while going through such a state of grief. Now that you’re going to be bearing one of her grandchildren, you might help her heal after so many years so that she will be an effective grandmother. Encourage her. Assure her that you and your husband’s child — her grandchild — will depend upon her to be a positive force in the child’s life. Work on building a relationship with your mother-in-law rather than dreading time with her. Imagine how this approach could only serve to enhance your marriage. It’s a difficult position to put any man in— choosing loyalty to his wife or his mother. Both deserve it. I know not all moms are stellar examples of parenthood, and we have to look at those on a case-by-case basis. The complaints you have presented, however, do not lead me to believe she doesn’t deserve a second chance at life, and you could be the instrument for helping her step into a newfound peace after many years of pain. It could work; it might not. You will never know unless you try, and it will endear you to your husband for a lifetime knowing you at least put forth the effort. Today’s Woman / October 2020
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Independent Living Connecting Socially during COVID-19 By Carrie Vittitoe Photos by Melissa Donald
Senior living communities have had to learn how to do life differently as a result of COVID-19, and there has been great concern about the emotional stress residents have experienced due to physical distancing from their families. The administrators, staff, and caregivers at these communities have had to double-down on efforts to keep residents engaged socially and still living active, worthwhile lives. PAGE 60 >>
PROMOTION
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our experts “We have to be careful and work as a team on this. [Residents] have been awesome; family members have been awesome. Anything that we’ve put in place, they’re all on-board with.” KELLI TYLER Executive Director Brownsboro Park BROWNSBORO PARK is located at 2960 Goose Creek Rd #2403, Louisville, KY 40241.
“We are excited to have found meaningful ways for our residents to engage with the people they love while also ensuring that our community stays safe.” MARK CLIFFORD Lifestyle 360 Director The Forum at Brookside THE FORUM AT BROOKSIDE is located at 200 Brookside Drive, Louisville, KY 40243.
“Caregiving is a hard job, and at-home caregivers need a lot of support. When it’s time for them to make a decision to hand over the full-time care of their loved one to a facility, we provide them with support and resources.” KIM BRAMLETT Independent Living Director The Grand Senior Living THE GRAND is located at 9300 Civic Way, Prospect, KY 40059. Today’s Woman / October 2020
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Independent Living Directory Independent Living communities are for those who need no services and are totally independent. Special services are provided, such as meals in a central dining area. Most people drive, but some transportation is usually offered. These communities offer no health care services and are not required to be licensed or certified.
Brownsboro Park Retirement Community 2960 Goose Creek, Louisville, KY 40241 (502) 429-7700 • brownsboropark.com
Units in facility: 134 Cost per person per month: studio $2095, 1 BR $2575-$2900, 2 BR $3000-$3400 Minimum age: 62 Special services: Family owned & operated since 1986, several spacious floor plans, located on 14 beautiful acres with a park, walking trail and fishing pond. Warm, friendly residents, spacious apartments with great closets, activities to keep your mind entertained and your body in shape, housekeeping, extensive shuttle program that runs 7 days a week and excellent chef-prepared meals. All-inclusive pricing (includes all utilities, phone, cable, internet & personal alert pendant). Owner: Bunker Hill Assoc. III, LLC Payment Accepted: private
Cornell Trace
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USING SPACE DIFFERENTLY Although Brownsboro Park sits on 14 acres, there was probably a time when much of that space didn’t get explored or utilized. But COVID-19 has changed that. Executive Director Kelli Tyler says the wide open space has been a lifesaver for residents. “It’s been a huge saving grace,” she says, not only for individuals to sit outside or take a walk, but for staff to be able to safely distance residents while still being in a common space for socialization. No one knew how essential parking lots would be in 2020, but they have been used at The Grand for concerts. An entertainer brought a microphone and loudspeaker to The Grand’s parking lot and performed a concert for residents who stayed on their balconies or patios. “It was so incredibly beautiful to watch. Everyone had smiles on their faces. Some of our couples were dancing together,” says Independent Living Director Kim Bramlett.
“Everything we’re doing looks different, but the end result is the same.”
The grounds of The Forum at Brookside are lush and full of trees, and this outdoor space has been used for more events than ever before. “Classical music is played each Monday in our courtyard for apartment residents and each Thursday from the Gazebo for our villa residents,” says Lifestyle 360 Director Mark Clifford. The outdoors are also the site of Sunshine Visits, where family members and friends are permitted to visit with residents outside under canopies, carports, or patios.
The Forum has also transformed its hallways into meeting areas with a program called Hallway Happenings. According to Mark, residents bring their chairs to their apartment’s front door to listen to and participate in interactive discussions and music.
RESERVATIONS Reservations are often for special occasions or big events. You make a reservation to go on vacation or have a fancy dinner. As a response to COVID-19, reservations have become a way of life at senior living communities. Everything from exercise classes to yoga to dinner is done on a reservation system in order to meet CDC and state guidelines on the number of people in a given space. Kim says friend groups at The Grand will sign up for crafts, exercise, or games together so that they can still see each other and chat, even if it is from a distance. While some might mourn spontaneity, there is something to be said about individuals having to be more intentional about nearly everything.
9729 Cornell Trace Rd, Louisville, KY 40241
SMALL AND OFTEN
Units in facility: 58 Cost: entrance fee $215,000-$265,000; 2 & 3 BR patio homes plus monthly maintenance fee Minimum age: 62 Special services: Exquisite patio homes with enclosed porches and attached garages. All appliances included, security system, no property taxes, no homeowner’s insurance, spacious floor plans, all maintenance inside and out, exercise room and a beautiful clubhouse. Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC Payment Accepted: private
Many of the social activities that senior living communities do, such as bingo or movie nights, are still happening. What is different is that they are happening for smaller groups of people more frequently. Kelli says what used to be a one-time showing of a film for a large group of people at Brownsboro Park is now multiple showings three or four times a week for smaller numbers of people. “Everything we’re doing looks different, but the end result is the same,” she says.
(502) 326-9838 • springhurstpines.org
Life remains full and busy at The Forum, but in smaller, more socially distanced ways. Four exercise classes are offered three days a week to ensure residents are able to get the exercise they enjoy while still meeting public health guidelines. Two book club groups meet once a week at two different times, and a creative writing group has been formed to help residents put ideas to paper. While some people may have felt like their calendar became obsolete in 2020, calendars to keep track of multiple smaller events are necessary at The Forum. PAGE 61>>
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Independent Living Directory
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THE POWER OF PARADES Senior living communities have been experiencing drive-by parades, too, and residents are finding them just as exciting as elementary school kids do when they see a line of cars with balloons, streamers, and posters exploding from the open windows. Kim says one of The Grand’s personal care residents was the beneficiary of a 100-carlong parade. Not only was this individual delighted to see a huge line of cars slowly driving by the veranda, many of the other residents found the celebration to be equally entertaining and joyous.
THE BEAUTY OF ROAMING It may sound a little dangerous, but roaming has become a bit of a new thing at senior living communities. Kelli says Brownsboro Park has had “roaming musicians” onsite. “Some of our regular musicians who would come for happy hour will come at a scheduled time and they’ll start in the front entryway outside where they’ll play for about 20
Brownsboro Park (below) Due to pandemic restrictions, Brownsboro Park has had to think differently about how to keep residents engaged and keep regular activities going. Musicians who would have performed for happy hour are now roaming the grounds instead, and residents can open their windows or come outside at a socially distanced location and enjoy the music. “They’ll start in the front entryway outside where they’ll play for about 20 minutes,” says Executive Director Kelli Tyler, and then move on to about four different locations.
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Everlan by Dominion of Louisville 5900 Hunting Rd, Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 512-6834 •everlanliving.com
Units in facility: 56 Cost per person per month: $2450-$3950 Minimum age: 55 Special services: Known as Everlan of Louisville, Dominion Senior Living’s independent living brand was created for adults 55+ who seek to get the most out of life. Everlan fuses luxury with thoughtful design and allows residents to enjoy beautiful aesthetics and premium amenities without all the upkeep. Everlan provides five-star cuisine, concierge and housekeeping services, tailored wellness programs, cooking, art classes, carefully curated experiences, well crafted designed indoor and outdoor spaces and easy access to retail, restaurant and entertainment choices. Owner: Dominion Senior Living, LLC Payment Accepted: private
Forest Springs Health Campus 4120 Wooded Acre Ln, Louisville, KY 40245 (502) 243-1643 • forestspringshc.com
Units in facility: 34 Cost per person per month: starting at $2860 Minimum age: 55 Special services: Steps away from our fullcontinuum of care, villa patio homes offer housekeeping; lawn maintenance; fitness center and clubhouse; a full calendar of activities and excursions; Villa Lifestyle Director; pet-friendly. Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC Payment Accepted: private
Let Our Readers Know What Makes Your Facility Stand Out! Call 502.327.8855 to discover more about this opportunity.
Musicians entertain the residents outdoors at Brownsboro Park. Submitted photo
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Independent Living Directory The Forum at Brookside 200 Brookside Dr, Louisville, KY 40243
(502) 245-3048 • theforumatbrookside.com Units in facility: 240 Cost per person per month: Independent Living Apts $2300-$3800, Independent Living Villas $3000-$4550. Carport or Garage Option Minimum age: 55 Special services: Gorgeous patio homes and apartments, gated community, 24 hr security, indoor heated pool, exercise room, chef prepared meals, flexible dining plan, recreational activities, pet friendly, a great staff and management team, full continuum of care. Owner: Five Star Senior Living, Inc. Payment Accepted: private
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minutes,” she says. The musicians then move on to about four different locations, allowing residents to either open their windows to hear music or come sit outside to listen. Roaming snack carts have also been a highlight of COVID-19 life at The Forum at Brookside. Who wouldn’t love a surprise ice cream treat being offered at your front door each day? Such visits provide not only a taste of sweetness, but are also a way for residents to see a smiling face and have a little conversation.
FAMILIES AND STAFF WORKING TOGETHER The families of Grand residents have tried to think of creative ways to celebrate milestones, whether it be a birthday or anniversary. The Grand was even the site of a very tiny graduation ceremony for a resident couple’s granddaughter. The couple’s granddaughter graduated from college but was unable to have an actual graduation. Along with her parents, the new graduate stood outside in her cap and gown, while her grandparents watched her from their balcony. Kim made sure “Pomp and Circumstance” was playing on a speaker so the young adult, her parents, and her grandparents could safely have some semblance of a graduation experience. PAGE 63>>
The Forum at Brookside (below) The Grand Senior Living 9300 Civic Way, Prospect, KY 40059 (502) 310-1542 • thegrand-sl.com Units in facility: 91 Cost per person per month: $3390-$5690 Minimum age: 55 Special services: Resort style living, luxurious apartments, spacious closets, extra storage available, garage & golf cart garage rental, utilities & appliances included, patios/ balconies, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge, pet spa, salon & barber shop, fitness center, indoor heated pool, sun deck, putting green, club house, recreational activities, theater, cocktail lounge, shuttle service, continental breakfast, chef prepared gourmet meals, easy access to dining, shopping, entertainment, & health care, Signature Passion Program. Owner: Management, Civitas Senior Living Payment Accepted: private
The green, tree-filled grounds of The Forum at Brookside are being used for more events due to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Here residents enjoy Sunshine Visits, where they can meet with family members and friends under canopies, carports, or patios. Lifestyle 360 Director Mark Clifford says classical music is also played outdoors in the courtyard and gazebo for the residents’ enjoyment.
Let Our Readers Know What Makes Your Facility Stand Out! Call 502.327.8855 to discover more about this opportunity. “The Road Apple Gang” visited The Forum at Brookside in early summer. It is a group of riders who volunteer to go to different facilities and share their horses with residents via a horse parade. They rode throughout the campus for two hours, giving residents the opportunity to not only see their horses but to get up close and personal with them. Submitted photo
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ADAPTING, SIMPLIFYING, AND HELPING Despite all of the things senior living communities have done to help make COVID-19 changes manageable, it is still a scary and isolating time for some residents. The Forum continues to offer one-on-one assistance with FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype to residents to ensure they stay in contact with their families, but “we have also made licensed or credentialed counselors available by phone or video conference to all assisted living and independent living residents,” Mark says. No one wanted or wished for COVID-19, but what senior living staff has witnessed is a wonderful ability of seniors to both adapt to change and treasure simplicity. Seniors have learned to use Zoom for Bible study classes and for help with tax preparation from their accountants. Residents have quickly adopted reservation systems. They are taking great joy in a birthday parade or a parking lot serenade. “It’s brought the community together in ways we could never have anticipated,” Kim says.
Independent Living Directory Treyton Oak Towers 211 W. Oak St, Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 589-3211 • treytonoaktowers.com Units in facility: 160 Cost per person per month: 1 BR $3167-$3680, 2 BR $4061-$6260 Minimum age: 62 Special services: Serving Louisvillians for 34 years. Affordable spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Rooftop deck, greenhouse, art studio, fitness center, masseuse; Fleur de Lis dining room. On site dentist, bank, and salon. All in a safe secure continuum of care community. 2019 Deficiency Free State Survey. Owner: Third and Oak Corporation Payment Accepted: Medicare, Medicaid, private, private ins., LTCi
The Villages at Historic Silvercrest One Silvercrest Dr, New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 542-6720 • villagesatsilvercrest.com
Units in facility: 37 Cost per person per month: $1418-$2363 Minimum age: 55 Special services: Steps away from our fullcontinuum of care, villa patio homes offer housekeeping; lawn maintenance; fitness center and clubhouse; a full calendar of activities and excursions; Villa Lifestyle Director; pet-friendly. Owner: Trilogy Health Services, LLC Payment Accepted: private
Family and friends stand outside The Grand Senior Living to wave and share happy birthday wishes with a resident they love. Submitted photo
The Grand Senior Living (above) With visitation limited due to COVID-19, The Grand Senior Living and other senior communities have gotten creative with figuring out how residents can still see their families. For special occasions, The Grand has been the location for drive-by parades, with a line of cars filled with balloons, streamers, and posters from loved ones. One of The Grand’s personal care residents was the beneficiary of a 100-car-long parade, which made for a fun day for all of the residents.
Let Our Readers Know What Makes Your Facility Stand Out! Call 502.327.8855 to discover more about this opportunity.
Today’s Woman / October 2020
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Becoming The Village:
Local Organizations Supporting Students By Tonilyn Hornung
K
eeping our children safe from the novel coronavirus while keeping them in school is a concern across the country. In order to protect our students, local school districts have made the call to begin the year at home and online. Taking part in NTI (Non-Traditional Instruction), asks that kids have more than a No. 2 pencil and a wirebound notebook in order to participate. What happens to those children and families who are struggling to find access to many essential resources during this transition? In a learning environment, full stomachs are a resource necessary for children to realize their full potential. This is why Blessings in a Backpack was founded in 2005. Its mission is to provide food on the weekends to kids who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program. When the pandemic first forced schools to rethink their in-person classes due to social distancing practices, BiB continued their calling. “The kids who rely on those free breakfast and lunch meals during the school week oftentimes go home for the weekend without anything to eat,” says Managing Director Kim Holsclaw. Reaching out to its community of volunteers, BiB continued to deliver meals to those families who depended on their weekend blessings. Kim says she was blown away by the generosity of the volunteers who distributed backpacks to designated schools on Fridays because as Kim says, “How can we expect children to be successful later in life if they don't have their most basic needs of food met?” After nourishing a child with healthy food, the next best step is to nourish their brain with healthy knowledge. For some families, procuring computer tablets and the accessible internet needed for NTI studies is an impossible task. This is when local organizations like Metro United Way become a huge support. “We play a strong role in the community to ensure that everyone thrives,” says Adria Johnson, chief impact officer. Metro United Way is a nonprofit organization that works to align resources to advance “health, financial independence, and education spectrums,” Adria says. During the pandemic, this group has gone into “crisis response mode” in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the community it serves. When schools initially shifted to NTI, Adria says that Metro United Way quickly looked for “the best way to shore up organizations that have pivoted in this new normal and are supporting the community.” Concurrently, they helped with basic needs like buying hand sanitizer and purchasing thermometers for organizations that needed them. Another well-loved local organization offering solutions of support is Kosair Charities. Founded in the early 1920s, Kosair has evolved into a charity that enhances the health and well being of children by delivering “financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and
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child advocacy,” says Lindsay Wehr, senior vice president of Strategy & Outreach. One way Kosair has been supporting students and children through the pandemic is by backing nonprofits across Kentucky that are helping kids on the front lines. “This year we supported 80-plus organizations for over $12 million, and that’s definitely our biggest support, because there’s a lot of need for those organizations right now,” Lindsay says. Kosair Kids Financial Assistance Program also directly helps families who might have an unexpected medical diagnosis. “Any family can apply, and the application process is located on our website,” Lindsay says. Making sure our children have the resources needed to thrive is a vital component in maintaining a healthy community. Like Adria says,
“This is a tough time for everyone, and these are not easy issues to solve. We all need to be exercising grace because this is the time for the village.”
Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woman / October 2020
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