livingsmart
Welcome to livingsmart
WWelcome to this issue of Living Smart, a SmartLife VIA Willow Valley publication.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to you through this 2024 issue of Living Smart as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of SmartLife VIA Willow Valley.
SmartLife is an innovative, membership-based plan that enables older adults to “age in place,” to continue their current lifestyle in their own home, secure in the knowledge they are covered if long-term care is needed in the future. It is a true Life Plan at Home program that provides the security and support of a continuing care retirement community, without having to move.
During these past 10 years, one of the most gratifying aspects of my role has been getting to know our Members, meeting them in their homes, and learning about their individually unique lifestyles and goals for the next chapters of their lives.
Getting to know their families is another gift I have enjoyed. I am continuously moved by the loving family relationships our Members have—and continue to have. Because SmartLife delivers care coordination, companion services, personal care, and nursing care when they are needed, spouses or other family members don’t have to worry about providing these services during a health event. This allows them to care about their loved one, not care for them. A spouse remains a spouse; a son or daughter remains a son or daughter— not a caregiver.
SmartLife also protects families’ financial futures. With Lifecare, monthly fees do not increase due to a need for an increased level of care. The peace of mind offered by SmartLife allows a focus on healing, not figuring out who will provide ongoing assistance, or where—or how it will be financed.
In the 10 years since Willow Valley Communities introduced SmartLife, the program has helped hundreds of unique individuals with one thing in common: Their goal for the future is to create a proactive plan to age in place in their own home, enjoying their way of life, with peace of mind for a secure future.
I am honored that you have welcomed Living Smart into your home. I hope you enjoy learning more about SmartLife VIA Willow Valley and meeting some of our Members. As you do, I hope you’ll be able to imagine how SmartLife can help you achieve your lifestyle goals and enjoy a secure and supported future.
With warm regards,
Andrew Solodky Manager of Marketing & Sales SmartLife VIA Willow Valley
Andrew Solodky Manager of Marketing & Sales
SmartLife VIA Willow Valley
03 | MEET THE HAVERSTICKS
“All in the Family” for the Haversticks means having a plan in place for the future.
05 | HOW IS SMARTLIFE DIFFERENT FROM LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE?
Learn the differences between long-term care insurance and SmartLife.
07 | DEAR SMARTLIFE...
With SmartLife, family members care about their loved ones, not for them.
09 | MEMORY CENTER
The Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center: another example of peace of mind for SmartLife Members.
11 | INTEGRITYFORWARD HEALTH SERVICES
Two new services provide personalized care with an educational focus.
13 | 10 YEARS OF SMARTLIFE
SmartLife Members celebrate 10 years of having a plan in place.
It’s All in the Family for the Haversticks With a Smart Plan for the Future in Place
TThe closer you get to Jay and Betty Ann Haverstick’s Conestoga home in southern Lancaster County, the more relaxed you become. Passing rolling fields and farmland, watching a deer or two scamper off, you can’t help but feel a calmness overcome you as the stresses of the day evaporate.
The Haversticks, both 76, are originally from Lancaster County and have been married for 55 years. Both are retired, he from J.D. Eckman, a construction company, and she from Raymond James Financial Services. They built their carriage house 10 years ago on 17 acres of stunning countryside.
“Clean and green,” explains Jay.
Their home was designed to suit them perfectly. On the first floor is the couple’s bedroom and a very large kitchen and dining room, giving Betty Ann the space to indulge in some of her favorite activities: cooking and hosting large dinners.
Also on the first floor, many animal trophy mounts from around the world adorn the walls of the great room. Jay, who was an avid hunter, is most proud of the turkeys.
They represent accomplishing a goal on his bucket list: the World Slam of Turkeys. To achieve this, each one of the six North American subspecies of wild turkey needs to be harvested: Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s, Osceola, Gould’s, and Ocellated. Jay was thrilled to achieve the World Slam, but what made it most special to him was that Betty Ann accompanied him on some of the hunting trips.
Another unique feature of the Haverstick home is its silo with a spiral staircase leading up top for 360-degree panoramic views of the gorgeous countryside and wildlife during the day, and the endless nighttime stars sparkling after dark. Jay, with his hunting days behind him, says now he enjoys just watching the animals on his property.
“This is a no-kill zone here,” quips Betty Ann.
But the feature that makes the Haversticks’ home even more of a delight is that their only child, daughter Wendy Esbin, lives in a home right beside them with her husband, Jeff, and their children, Colton, 22, and Katyann, 17.
“People questioned it,” says Betty Ann. “But for us, it’s a blessing. We get along wonderfully, and we have every holiday together.”
Jay adds, “It’s worked out perfectly. We respect each other’s space. We don’t bother them, and they don’t bother us. But if anyone needs something, we are here for each other.”
But the Haversticks wanted to take it one step further. “We knew that if something were to happen, our lovely daughter, Wendy, would naturally step up to become our caregiver,” says Betty Ann. “We strongly disagreed with this prospect.” Though the couple was thrilled about her family living next door, they were adamant that Wendy would not become their caregiver as they aged. They did not want to put that burden on her and her family.
It was then that the Haversticks explored SmartLife VIA Willow Valley. Serving Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, and York Counties, SmartLife is a true Life Plan at Home program enabling people to age in place.
Like all SmartLife Members, Jay and Betty Ann enjoy their current lifestyle, in their own home, with the security of knowing they are covered if short- or long-term care is ever needed. If so, SmartLife’s Lifecare Coordinators will take care of the many details, including care coordination, companion services, personal care, and nursing care. This means spouses or other family members (like the Haversticks’ daughter) don’t have to worry about providing these services during a health event, allowing them to care about their loved one, not care for them.
That’s an important distinction. It was very important to the Haversticks that Wendy remains their daughter and not become their caregiver.
“I wish SmartLife had been around for my parents,” adds Betty Ann. “It was really difficult caring for them.”
Additionally, with SmartLife’s Lifecare, families’ assets are protected for the future because monthly fees are not increased because of a Member’s need for an increased level of care.
“The cost of skilled care is unbelievable!” Betty Ann says. “Jay worked very hard his whole life, and we don’t want to lose our life’s nest egg paying for care. My sister and brother-in-law, as well as a lot of our friends, are Members, and it just seemed like the perfect thing for us.”
Jay and Betty Ann agree that Smartlife has given them peace of mind because, to them, the program is like an insurance policy. “You may not need it—or you might really need it,” emphasizes Betty Ann. “The reality is that as you get older, one day you are wonderful and the next day you are not. We thought a lot about it. We wanted to pre-plan and have things in place so that Wendy, our only child, wouldn’t have that burden.”
Betty Ann advises others to join SmartLife because “the unexpected can happen at any time. You’re never promised anything. You’ll turn around, and before you know it, you’re in your 70s. Wow, where has the time gone? We tell Wendy
this all the time. We watched Katyann go to prom, and I said to Jay, ‘It doesn’t feel that long ago that was you and I.’”
Betty Ann says that you can take the stress and anxiety out of growing older if you just have a plan in place. “And then you can have a peaceful life, enjoying the things that are important to you.”
Afterward, she chuckles, “We just hope the grandchildren enjoy seeing us as much as we enjoy seeing them!”
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You can have a peaceful life, enjoying the things that are important to you.
SmartLife Versus Long-Term Care Insurance
W“What is the difference between long-term care insurance and SmartLife VIA Willow Valley?”
This is a question we are asked often. Long-term care insurance is a policy designed to pay or reimburse long-term care costs. Many people have this kind of policy and ask us what the difference is between this insurance and SmartLife. We’re happy to explain.
The Lifecare Coordinator
Perhaps the biggest difference between relying on a long-term care insurance policy and the peace of mind of SmartLife is the SmartLife Lifecare Coordinator
The Lifecare Coordinator is the person who will be there for you when you need help during a health event. With one telephone call, they coordinate the services you need, answer your questions, and guide you. They are your trusted advocate when you need one the most.
With long-term care insurance, you typically dial a 1-800 number when you need help. The anonymous
person on the other end of the line has never met you and does not know you, your family, or your situation. They have no personal connection to you to advocate for your best interests.
At SmartLife, our Lifecare Coordinators know each Member and their families. Our Members have a very close relationship with them, and they trust them. This is much more comforting during a health event than an unknown voice on the other end of a 1-800 number.
No Elimination Period
With SmartLife, there is no elimination period. This means that you do not have to wait for benefits. The day you need help is the day you get help.
A typical long-term care insurance plan often requires a 60-to-100-day elimination period. This means you are responsible for all costs, out of pocket, until this interval has passed. Some plans even require up to a 180-day elimination period—that’s 6 months policyholders pay out of pocket and wait before their coverage begins.
Activities of Daily Living
Activities of daily living (ADLs) include ambulating, grooming, toileting, dressing, and eating. With SmartLife, you need a decline in only one ADL to receive services. Most long-term care insurance plans require a decline in two or more ADLs to receive services. This difference can be significant for those who need care at home.
No Medical Approval
With SmartLife, no medical approval is needed for most services. Just pick up the phone and call us; we will take it from there. With long-term care insurance, you typically must obtain approval from a medical provider before at-home care services start.
Care for a Lifetime
With SmartLife, you receive care for life, as long as you remain a SmartLife Member. That means, from the day you become a Member to the day you are no longer with us, we will be there to take care of you.
With long-term care insurance, there is a limit to the period during which care is covered, as lifetime policies are no longer available. Many policies are limited to only three or four years, or up to a certain dollar amount of expenses reached.
Willow Valley Communities’ 40-Year Tradition of Excellence
Because SmartLife is part of Willow Valley Communities, SmartLife Members receive Willow Valley Communities’ high standard of care. With long-term care insurance, there is no guarantee of who will service you or where care will take place.
SmartLife Is Not a Financial Institution
Long-term care insurance companies are financial institutions, and they are there to help protect your assets. SmartLife also protects your assets, but as a nonprofit healthcare organization, our first priority is your health and wellness. We take our Members’ and their families’ trust in us very seriously.
Learn More
It is possible that some SmartLife plan options can work with long-term care policies. If you have one, we are happy to discuss its parameters or any other questions you may have regarding the differences between it and SmartLife membership.
Dear SmartLife
The peace of mind I have with my mom’s care is priceless.
WWhen we explain to a prospective Member what SmartLife VIA Willow Valley is, we say, “SmartLife is an innovative, membership-based plan for the future that enables older adults to ‘age in place’ and continue their current lifestyle in their own home with the security of knowing they are covered if long-term care is ever needed.” We go on to add, “SmartLife is a true Life Plan at Home program, with SmartLife’s Lifecare Coordinators—not the Member’s family—taking care of the many details of enhanced care. The best time to set up a plan is before you need one. As a SmartLife Member, you are uniquely positioned to face long-term care uncertainties.”
We also emphasize how SmartLife is a financially smart plan that protects a Member’s assets even if there is a need for an enhanced level of care in the future.
These are all measurable benefits of being a SmartLife Member. But what about the immeasurable benefits?
We often explain that since care coordination is handled by SmartLife, family members are free to care about their loved one, not care for them. Spouses remain spouses; adult children remain adult children; they do not assume the role of caregivers. This peace of mind is an immeasurable benefit that can mean different things to different people.
We recently received a letter from a grateful daughter in which she touchingly explained what that peace of mind meant to her in the care of her precious mother. Her mother joined SmartLife healthy and independent, but over time began to experience a rapidly progressing cognitive decline. Her daughter desired for her mother to stay in her own home as long as possible, believing that would be the most comfortable environment for her. SmartLife was able to provide care starting a few times a week, then every day, and then 24/7 as the disease progressed.
This is what her daughter wrote:
Because of SmartLife, on this chilly autumn morning…
My mother is comfortable surrounded by her familiar surroundings in her own home.
A kind, caring, and experienced caregiver is tending to her every need and creating a cozy atmosphere by putting a soft and warm cover over her.
The caregiver keeps the household running smoothly by shopping for food and household supplies.
My mom has three delicious meals a day and her favorite snacks—all prepared with care by the caregiver.
My mom gets to sit and watch the preparation of the meal, which is relaxing for her and engages her appetite.
My mom has someone to eat with at each meal. She is never alone.
My mom has clean sheets, clothes, and a clean house thanks to the caregiver.
My mom has someone to help her with her daily personal grooming routines.
My mom has someone with her to talk to her and engage her at all times.
The caregiver texts me regularly, and I am never left wondering or worrying about how my mom is doing.
The caregiver makes certain that my mom’s favorite shows are on the TV.
The caregiver keeps track of which family member is coming to take my mom out, and she makes sure that my mom is ready. She even applies her lipstick!
My mom has someone to tuck her in at night and is there if she has a bad dream or needs a drink of water or anything else.
The caregiver is there in the morning to greet my mom and help her get ready to start her day.
You can tell my mom is relaxed and happy. There are no words to express what that means to me.
Family members are free to care about their loved one, not care for them.
The New Memory Center Another Benefit for SmartLife Members
SSmartLife VIA Willow Valley was honored to attend the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center at Willow Valley Communities’ suburban campus this spring. The center, anticipated to open in 2025, will transform the lives of those affected by dementia, creating extraordinary opportunities to combat the disease through specialized programming, research, education, prevention, assessment, treatment, and caregiver support.
A critical aspect of the Memory Center will be providing Residents with a sense of normalcy, the feeling of being at home within a secure environment. Fourteen households, each with 10 private bedrooms and the amenities of a typical home, will be centered around a commons building.
To create a sense of community for Residents, multiple destinations promoting daily activity and engagement are planned. The new Memory Center at Willow Valley Communities will include a grocery store, bakery, ice cream shop, sit-down restaurant, dance and fitness studio, meditation room, salon and spa, performance stage, greenhouse, and expansive outdoor courtyard. Free to explore the entire seven-acre campus, Residents will
be empowered to maintain an autonomous, active, and meaningful lifestyle, thus preserving their dignity and reducing the stigma often associated with cognitive issues.
Within the Memory Center, a new Assessment and Treatment Center will offer essential components for memory loss prevention, early diagnosis, assessment, advanced treatments, and support. Features to prevent neurodegeneration, such as the Brain Tech Center, will aim to further research through self-assessment brain games and self-guided education, brain-healthy meals available for purchase, and a resource center. Additional features will include person-directed programming, navigation assistance, and increased freedom, dignity, privacy, and Resident interaction through individualized care.
The pursuit to create the Memory Center began in 2017 with the vision of providing unparalleled care for those affected by dementia. Willow Valley Communities consulted world leaders in dementia care and research and completed 32 benchmarking visits to the best memory care centers in the United States and around the world—including The Hogeweyk, a top-tier dementia village in the Netherlands.
During this phase of concept development, the Willow Valley Communities Charitable Foundation launched a capital campaign and raised over $20 million toward the cost of building and operating the Memory Center. Achieving this initial fundraising goal allowed the design and construction process to begin on Willow Valley Communities’ Lakes Campus.
NORD Architects of Copenhagen, Denmark, was chosen as the design firm for the Memory Center, its inaugural project in the United States. “NORD is known for its architecturally groundbreaking and eye-catching designs,” said John G. Swanson, CEO of Willow Valley Development Corp., the center’s developer, “but it aims to create recognizable spaces within a community in which residents can grow together as a family and feel safe.”
The Memory Center will be another example of how SmartLife offers peace of mind to its Members. Andrew Solodky, Manager of Marketing and Sales for SmartLife, said, “For 40 years, Willow Valley Communities has created a sense of community by providing a pinnacle in senior living centered on a foundation of hospitality and belonging. The community promotes a Life Lived Forward by encouraging Residents and Members to engage in a vital, active lifestyle. It should come as no surprise that the community will be at the forefront of education and research on dementia and cognition issues. Knowing that our Members will have access to a secure environment that promotes a meaningful, active lifestyle while preserving dignity creates a sense of pride and offers hope of relief for so many who have longed for something better.”
“ The community promotes a Life Lived Forward by encouraging Residents and Members to engage in a vital, active lifestyle.
The Southern Neighborhood Garden, complete with fruit trees, herb gardens, walking paths, and recreational features to engage Residents and visitors of all ages.
The Meditation Room will be for peaceful reflection, meaningful reminiscence, calming sensory experiences, and programs to align the mind, body, and spirit.
IntegrityForward Health Solutions & IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions
IA Convenient Mind, Body, Spirit Approach to Well-Being for SmartLife Members
In addition to the long list of benefits already included with a SmartLife membership, two more conveniences are now available. IntegrityForward Health Solutions and IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions are two well-being services open to all SmartLife Members.
IntegrityForward Health Solutions VIA Willow Valley IntegrityForward Health Solutions, located on Willow Valley Communities’ Lakes Campus, is led by nurse practitioner Pam Bailey, CRNP, FNP-BC, who also serves as Willow Valley Communities’ Senior Director of Resident Health and Wellness Services. It is staffed with another full-time clinical nurse practitioner, Becky Poole, CRNP, and a PRN (“as needed”) nurse practitioner.
Enthusiastically explaining the benefits of this new service for SmartLife Members, and why they should consider making it their primary care provider, Pam says, “IntegrityForward Health Solutions truly embodies Willow Valley Communities’ philosophy of wellness, well-being, and yes, Life Lived Forward, with a mind, body, spirit approach. IntegrityForward will provide primary care for Members, treating acute illnesses as they occur,
but the overreaching goal is to help Members develop individualized plans for wellness and prevention.
“We hope to get to know someone over time as their primary care provider,” she adds. “We want to have a relationship with them, building their health goals with them and working together towards those goals.”
This brings Pam to another benefit that SmartLife Members may want to consider. “We don’t have a daily patient quota like other medical offices. The IntegrityForward Team will focus on taking the time needed to listen and build patient-provider relationships.”
Additionally, IntegrityForward Health Solutions has the resources available to make internal referrals, thus maximizing all the benefits of being a SmartLife Member. “For example, we can make referrals to the Fitness Center, Nutritionist, Support Groups, or Culinary Services,” Pam says. “We want to make sure SmartLife Members take full advantage of everything we have here at Willow Valley Communities—there are so many opportunities, and we can bring all of them together.”
“
IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions VIA Willow Valley IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions serves SmartLife Members and Willow Valley Communities Residents, as well as the general public. However, with two offices at Willow Valley Communities serviced by two highly educated and highly trained audiologists—Dr. Heather Eck and Dr. Kerry Herrmann—it is often easier to get a convenient appointment with them than with other providers elsewhere.
Heather was instrumental in the development of the audiology department at Willow Valley Communities beginning in 2011, and is delighted by the increased services her team can now provide as IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions. She hopes the more comprehensive audiology resources prompt SmartLife Members to consider switching from their current provider, or to establish a relationship if a new need has arisen for audiology services.
IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions has the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art audiology services and equipment, but with one distinction. Heather and Kerry take quite a different approach from what is found in typical hearing aid establishments. They operate under a healthcare consultant model, not a retail or sales model.
“We are not just trying to sell you a new device,” explains Heather. “We want to address all your hearing needs. It
might be a new device, or it could be an accessory for your device, or simply an adjustment to your device. But when I do recommend a new device,” she adds, “it’s in the patient’s best interest, not mine. It’s a very different way of doing things.”
IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions has a comprehensive patient-centered approach with a strong emphasis on education. They routinely offer seminars covering a wide variety of audiology topics, including hearing aid options and ear health.
“This is a big part of what we do,” says Kerry. “I believe this focus on educating the patient is so important. It truly aids individuals in understanding their audiology options so they can make the best decisions moving forward. This helps patients increase their confidence, positively impacting their overall communication.”
A Personalized Approach to Health & Wellness
IntegrityForward Health Solutions and IntegrityForward Hearing Solutions offer personalized health advice with an educational wellness focus. SmartLife Members have the option to utilize these services for primary care, diagnosis of acute illnesses, and even chronic illness management. Access to these healthcare services is just one more benefit available to SmartLife VIA Willow Valley Members.
“ We are not just trying to sell you a new device. We want to address all your hearing needs.
Ten Years of SmartLife A Decade of Aging in Place with a Smart Plan in Place
FFor the past 10 years, SmartLife has been humbled by the trust Members place in us. We are continuously intrigued—and inspired—by their life goals for the next chapters of their lives, and we are honored to be a part of helping to achieve them.
SmartLife Members come from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles. However, they all share one thing in common: the desire to have a financially smart plan that will enable them to age in place in their own home without the worry of future long-term care coordination.
SmartLife was launched in June of 2014 and is one of the fastest-growing “at-home” programs in the country. Originally, SmartLife was available only to residents of Lancaster County, PA, but this area has since grown to include Lebanon, Dauphin, and York Counties. As we look ahead, SmartLife is exploring additional expansion beyond the four counties the program currently serves.
Over the years, SmartLife has also increased options to adapt to our Members’ evolving desires and changing life situations. Members who have been with us for at least one year can take their membership with them if they choose to relocate. And if Members wish to move to Willow Valley Communities, SmartLife’s Bridge Program enables them to do that, too.
We are humbled by the growth SmartLife has experienced during the past 10 years and by the trust our Members place in us. We are excited about the future and what is to come as we continue to serve more and more Members across the South Central PA region.
To celebrate SmartLife’s 10th anniversary, we asked Members who joined in each of our 10 years to explain how they came to choose us and what their membership means to them and their families. As you enjoy their reflections, consider what SmartLife could mean to you and your family.
Jerry Shultz Member since 2014
“Only when something happens do you realize you’re not going to live forever, so you better get fixed up with whatever you need to do. When SmartLife came, it was the answer. We knew we were going to join SmartLife and stay in our home.”
Mike & Anne Connor Members since 2015
“SmartLife lets us live our lives to the fullest with the assurance we will receive any future care we need.”
Malcolm & Judy MacDougall Members since 2016
“We truly appreciate the relationship with our Lifecare Coordinator. They are very attentive, genuinely interested in our welfare and that of our entire family, without being intrusive. We know they are there and available.”
Jack Gibson Member since 2017
“The plan you choose is only as solid as the company who backs it… SmartLife is a long-term care plan that actually works.”
Timi Kirchner Member since 2018
“I just want my son to be my son, not my caregiver. SmartLife is a gift for him, as well as me.”
John & Cathy Rathmell Members since 2019
“As we were exploring SmartLife, the most appealing benefit was the ability to live life now.”
Tom Santosusso & Marty Barber Members since 2020
“We are so happy to be able to remain in our own home. And, just as important is knowing that if we do need additional services or care, our children will not have to bear the responsibility of finding and arranging this for us.”
Mark & Valerie Korman Members since 2021
“We’ve created this lifestyle we love over time, and at this location. We don’t want it to change. We want to stay right here. SmartLife caps the financial exposure of our estates. That’s really what it’s all about.”
Kevin & Stephanie Carbaugh Members since 2022
“Originally I researched SmartLife VIA Willow Valley when investigating for my parents. After my husband and I learned of all SmartLife VIA Willow Valley offered, we knew this would be a great fit for our future of desiring to live independently in our home as we age. Our favorite part of being SmartLife Members is the peace of mind knowing the SmartLife team is here to help in many areas of need while aging in our home—we have seen and experienced them in action!”
Jay & Betty Ann Haverstick Members since 2023
“You may not need it, or you might really need it. We thought about it a lot. We wanted to pre-plan and have things in place so that our only child wouldn’t have that burden.”
Larry & Wendy Clement Members since 2024
“SmartLife allows us to remain in our house, enjoy the benefits of city living, and protect the equity in our home. Equally important, should we need assisted living, long-term, or memory care, it is comforting to know it will be available to us at Willow Valley. As SmartLife Members, we are able to enjoy many of Willow Valley Communities’ amenities, which we appreciate. We can’t say enough about Kelli, our Lifecare Coordinator. She is attentive, responsive, and kind.”
100 Willow Valley Lakes Drive Willow Street, PA 17584
Living the SmartLife
SmartLife VIA Willow Valley is a true Life Plan at Home 60+ program serving Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, and York Counties. It is an innovative, membership-based plan that gives you the security of continuing care in your own home as you enjoy your current lifestyle.
SmartLife VIA Willow Valley membership includes Lifecare, which means that your assets are protected because monthly fees are not increased if an increased level of care is needed in the future.
SmartLife VIA Willow Valley is part of the Willow Valley Communities family of brands and follows the same exemplary standard of excellence that Willow Valley Communities has been providing to older adults for 40 years.
To learn more about how to live smart, visit SmartLifeWV.org/Living.
