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Community
Forum can help make senior housing a home
Area agencies, facilities prepare for event
Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN
Elsie Mae and Mary Fender, residents of Cedar Lane Apartments in Leonardtown, help other volunteers put together emergency kits for seniors. Cedar Lane is one of eight senior communities participating in a senior housing expo Nov. 13 in Charlotte Hall.
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Making the transition from independent living to a senior living facility can be intimidating.
"The perception of moving to a senior community may have its challenges," said Janice Pruett, move-in coordinator for the Cedar Lane Senior Living Community in Leonardtown. It's an admission that a person needs help and can't do everything for themselves anymore, as much as they wish to.
"It can be trauma driven," she said, through the loss of a spouse or the onset of a serious medical condition.
But she quoted a resident of Cedar Lane who said: "We didn't move there to die, we moved there to live."
On Friday, a senior housing expo is scheduled at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall so families can explore the options in Southern Maryland for senior living. The housing departments and offices on aging from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties will be there, as well as representatives from eight senior communities.
Those eight communities are members of a larger network, now made up of 20, that came together out of necessity.
There were occupancy issues at Cedar Lane, Pruitt said. Apartments weren't filled. "I started to call around to the local senior housing facilities and asked them if they wanted to start a networking group," she said. The group then started meeting once a month to get to know what particular services each facility provides.
"It's really helpful just overall," she said. "It's been a really great resource for us."
The idea of a senior housing fair had been floating around so the "timing was perfect," Pruett said. "We're looking forward to this inaugural event and hope it grows each year."
Typically families want to have their parents living in a facility close by and, "if you're a transplant you may not necessarily know what's out there," she said.
"Each facility serves a special niche," she said. "Finding a senior community is like finding a pair of comfortable shoes — it's got to be right for you."
There are other advantages to moving to a senior community, Pruett said. "You're around people your own age who may have similar histories," she said.
If you go
The senior housing expo will be held from 1-7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Northern Senior Activity Center, 29655 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall. The event is free and visitors can register to win a 32-inch, flat-panel television. Those who bring a donation of nonperishable food for the Southern Maryland Food Bank will also be entered for other prizes.
Facilities present will be Morningside House of St. Charles, The Hermitage at St. John's Creek, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Southwinds Active Adult Community, Lexington Park Adult Community, CCNRC Family of Care, Cedar Lane Senior Living Community and Fenwick Landing Senior Care Community.
