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I have been thinking a lot recently about what it means to be a community. Our little community here by the river is more than the sum of its parts. In other words, we are more than 125 individuals living under one roof.  Yet, it is hard to capture what we are in words. Community is a pretty generic term. The broadest definition that I found said, “people with common interests living in a geographic area.”

I have heard people here say, “We are family,” and happily they are including Homewoods staff when they say this. Family gets closer to what we mean to each other, and yet, strictly speaking, we aren’t family.   Miraculously, we care for each other and help each other though we aren’t related.

Neighbors might be a closer description, especially in the “good Samaritan” sense of that word. I am always touched to learn or observe some of the many ways that neighbors here at Homewoods connect with each other. It is both respectful and sincere. Sometimes I wish we could bottle that good will and share it with the world.

And that is the reason I have been thinking about what it means to live in community lately. I think capital “C” community has broad implications for the world in general. I read somewhere recently that the Chinese philosopher Confucius based his whole philosophy of leadership and governance on the principal of kindness. It is definitely one of our core values here at Homewoods.

Another core value is recreation. In other words, having fun. We had so much fun during resident appreciation week. The performances at the talent show went from the sublime piano playing by Dorothy and Iris to the silliness of Don and the Donnettes, and Don and Dar, as well as the comedic performances in Velma’s play. I can’t remember when I have laughed so much.

I am already looking forward to next year’s talent show, as well as many more “gifts” during the work weeks to come when I hear someone reach out to another with sincere kindness, if only to encourage through a difficult time.

We are living well.

This month I’m looking way ahead. In June we typically take stock of how well the year is going  and focus strategically on goals for the coming year. If I had a crystal ball, I would be tempted to use it. Instead, I’ve got industry trends, immediate needs, resident requests, and a certain, as the French say “Je ne sais quoi”, to guide me. It is the “je ne sais quoi”, which I think literally means “I don’t know what”, that makes the future interesting .

When I look ahead with these things in mind, here is what I see.  I am proud that we are able to take care of our community’s assets so well. As the building ages, the needs of the physical plant increase but taking care of them is never out of reach. Every day our building, with its new roof and paint and well-tended grounds, is a welcome sight as I walk down the hill from the upper parking lot. This year the courtyard will get its fresh coat of paint and we will be sufficiently weatherized for the foreseeable future.

This year the oldest baby boomers, those born in 1946, have begun to access retirement communities. Meanwhile, the youngest boomers have just turned 50. The number of people over the age of 65 will grow by 10,000 people per day for the next twenty years and will double by 2030. Housing, especially affordable housing, will be at a premium since one in four members of this cohort has no retirement savings. Meanwhile, the need for all services, including primary care, hospitalization, hospice, etc. is expected to rise steeply.

Senior housing providers have been anticipating the arrival of the baby boomers now for more than a decade. Nursing homes are moving toward patient-centered social environments with exercise rooms and therapy pools, fast Wi-Fi, more food options and attractive surroundings. The boomers are expected to continue to shake things up, just as they have done for the past almost sixty years. The times are still “a-changin’”.

As far as immediate needs and resident requests here at Homewoods go, we are always looking to stay apace with technology – for example, we are currently looking into an electronic payment system for our dining room. Currently we rely on the old-fashioned honor code.  Ah technology. You are both friend and foe. What will you demand of us and what can we expect from you next year not to mention in the next five or ten years?

As for the je ne sais quoi, I can actually make an educated guess. Homewoods has always possessed “that certain something” in the way that community members watch out for one another. Even as many things become new, and tastes and preferences change, kindness never goes out of style.

Of one thing I am certain, the unknown future at Homewoods will include life and “life more abundant” as we continue to live well here on the Willamette River. Peace be with you.

Laura

Laura Engle is the Executive Director at Homewoods on the Willamette

I have called this column “Looking Ahead with Laura” because I think it is important to have something to look forward to. It gives some idea of where we are going. At least for me, looking ahead, brings focus. Since this is the beginning of gardening season I’ll share an insight  that I read recently about landscapes. The person speaking was a landscape architect . She said architects of buildings have little to look forward to, once the building is built. That is because wear and tear set in immediately. Whereas when you create a garden you create something that is always becoming something new  because it is growing. That is how I feel about Homewoods, we are always becoming something new and continuing to grow.

Along those lines, I am delighted to share a new discovery with you. One of our Homewoods residents has offered to contribute to our newsletter under a pseudonym! Meanwhile Zee, our new life enrichment coordinator, has shown great ability with our publishing program. I am hopeful that we will soon have a newsletter again. To celebrate these new and hopeful things as well as the hopeful things that you are celebrating this spring, I thought I would include this little column from our mystery writer. She signs her name “Sundi”, her nickname since childhood.

By golly I made it! For about three years I’ve been envious of the folks that live at Homewoods. What a beautiful place to retire. No more yard work!

Lately I’ve noticed little signs and sayings that put a smile on my face, and some give me something to ponder. For example, above my brother’s work bench in his garage a sign says, “To err is human. To continue is stupid.” Here’s another good one: “Whatever scares you, do it. Now. Escaping your comfort zone can make you happier, smarter, more confident, more grateful, and more satisfied with life, while strengthening ties to the people you love.”

Lastly, always remember! If you don’t think you’re special, no one else will.

Sundi

I know you are a special bunch of people who live here at Homewoods, so according to Sundi’s wisdom, that means you must know it too! One thing is sure, everyone who lives here has mastered the ability to cultivate a great life in much the same way that a gardener cultivates a garden, and we are living well.

Laura

Laura Engle is the Executive Director of Homewoods on the Willamette.

Like many of you, whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, I am looking ahead toward spring! This past week I have felt it, in the sunshine, on the warmer cloudy days, and in the evening light at 5 p.m. when most of the staff are heading home. We are also seeing it in the beginnings of buds, leaves, and flowers as we look out at the grounds around Homewoods.

I always feel a sense of urgency with spring, as though I had better hurry up and get ready for something. Maybe that feeling is what has inspired spring cleaning from ancient times until now. With new light and life already shining, it is as if we want to make way for more newness in our lives.

Here are some “new” things we are planning for you. On February 20^th, we will be hosting a Wellness Seminar with our friends from Willamette View. Some of you might remember Jay Ego, the Wellness Director from Willamette View, and the marvelous balance machine that he brought last year to let you test how well your balance is working for you. This year he will be talking about fitness in the later years for all activity levels. Jay is knowledgeable with many years of experience working with seniors. I also find him encouraging. He really makes me believe that it is possible to get in shape, though I sometimes feel time and gravity are working against me. I hope that you will come and hear what he has to say. This year at Homewoods we want to “beef up” our exercise program offerings and equipment. With Jay’s help we will be putting together a program for you that will allow you to track your progress and take maximum advantage of what we offer here.

For those of you who love the arts and would like to indulge in more creative expression, we will be offering watercolor classes this year. Through the help of Homewoods residents Millie Sandwick and Dee Frank, I have been able to make contact with Melissa Gannon, a Clackamas Community College instructor who comes highly recommended from several other retirement communities. This could be your year for discovering hidden talent and passion you did not know you had. Please watch also for Dee Frank’s presentation on Norman Rockwell to take place in our own lobby on February 3^rd. Many of us will remember with fondness the beloved covers of The Saturday Evening Post which Rockwell painted for more than forty years. Though quaint at first glance these pictures depict real life, as it was at that time, and, while drawing the viewer in offer important and challenging lessons about its meaning. Dee is a master watercolorist and longtime teacher. This is sure to be an interesting program that you won’t want to miss.

I can’t let my February letter close without recognizing the creative writing endeavors of Millie Sandwick, LaRhee Lewis, Lavern Sager, and Helen Reasoner who each submitted an entry for the Leading Age Creative Writing Contest. Each year leading age produces a book of writing including the winning entries. This year LaVern Sager and Helen Reasoner have had pieces selected for publication. We will all be attending a luncheon at Friendsview Retirement Center in Newberg on February 27^th in to hear excerpts and selected readings from this year’s contest entries. Please offer your congratulations to our Homewoods creative writers when you see them. As I have said before we are nurtured and live by the stories that we are courageous enough to share. If you have ever had an urge to put pen to paper you might consider joining our writers club which meets in the fourth floor activity room every Monday at 10 a.m.

Building strength and indulging in creative pastimes are some of the many ways that we at Homewoods continue to live well.  I hope that you get a chance to join the fun.