The fact is, being smart means you don’t put off planning ahead. You didn’t put off planning in your younger years, and you’re not going to live the rest of your life passively either. You’re proactive, not reactive, when it comes to your health, finances, and goals. You’ve dreamt big and planned big. We’re here to support you in making those plans and dreams become your reality in a community that feels like home.

By considering a move to a Covia Community, you’re beginning the process of giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind. In fact, a recent Age Well Study by Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging found that people living in life plan or continuing care retirement communities demonstrate higher levels of social, physical, and intellectual wellness.  Add to that our expanded health care resources, and your worries are minimized as you age, knowing you have a team to work with you as your needs change.

Another benefit that makes our residents smarter than the average 70-year-old has to do with maintenance. As you consider the never-ending routine of home care, you’re taking into account what that might mean five, 10, or 20 years down the road. Moving to a Covia Community means no more caring for a house that’s bigger than your lifestyle or a yard that requires continued upkeep.

Along with peace of mind, you’re aware of the social benefits of moving to a community. All your life you’ve surrounded yourself with friends and community. You got to know your neighbors, got involved in your community, and made friendships that lasted. At any of our communities, you’ll be surrounded by people like you – intelligent older adults with diverse backgrounds in a similar stage of life.

Activities and exercise are always close by, with an array of options and a supportive staff always available to you. Whether you want to play bocce in Sonoma County wine country, take an easy walk to the Monterey shoreline, or join an exercise program in your community’s fitness center, Covia Communities have activities to suit your needs. It’s the convenience that sets us apart. Instead of traveling to exercise or trying to find creative ways to stay fit while at home, a life plan or continuing care retirement community naturally makes life easier and more enjoyable.

So, are you REALLY smarter than the average 70-year-old? Odds are you know the answer. You’re already aware of Covia’s reputation as a clear leader in senior living. You’ve planned, you’ve saved, and you’ve lived life with joy. Being smart means you know there’s more to come. All it takes is that next step. We’d love to meet with you and learn more about what that looks like to you.

Smart seniors like you have been choosing Covia for years. Are you ready to add your name to that list?

The post Are you smarter than the average 70-year-old? You better believe it! appeared first on Front Porch.

After the first few months, the couple’s first impressions were confirmed. “We have met all kinds of people,” Brian says. “I think the majority of people here are straight, but there are lesbians and gays and, for all I know, transgender individuals. The community has been unusually welcoming in making sure that people are not isolated and provides all kinds of introductions. People are uniformly friendly.”

“Pride Month is a demonstration of caring through respect and celebration of our differences,” says Front Porch CEO John Woodward. As part of Pride Month, Front Porch dedicated its monthly resident and staff “Strength of Community” video chat to sharing stories from LGBTQ residents, staff, and those who are working toward greater inclusion of the LGBTQ community. “Creating welcoming, diverse, and inclusive communities is Front Porch’s priority all year round,” John explains.​

Jerry Brown, Senior Director of Affordable Housing, shared the work he has been doing with the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI), an initiative of the Human Rights Campaign that helps senior communities understand what steps they can take to ensure members of the LGBTQ community feel welcome. The two-year LEI process helps communities evaluate their policies and procedures, and works to educate staff on LGBTQ concerns. “Communities start with the basics: just the mission statement being included in the personnel policy, but it also goes out to contractors, contractors that come in from the outside to your building, to make sure that they’re going to be inclusive and welcoming of LGBTQ folks when they come into contact with them.”

“We really should all feel very proud of our organization,” Jerry says. “We did everything we could to keep residents safe during the pandemic. Inclusivity is about safety too. Making members of our community — gay men like me — feel welcome at a community is really about feeling safe.”

Among the featured guests for the chat were residents who have spent their lives fighting for LGBTQ rights. Long before she moved to Wesley Palms in San Diego, Beth Coye lobbied for the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. “My life for the first 42 years on earth revolved around the US Navy,” she shares. Her father was a naval officer and went on to be an admiral. Beth herself then joined the Navy and was on active duty for 21 years.

From 1978-1980, Beth was Commanding Officer of a shore station. While up for promotion to captain, Beth learned that she had been tailed by her boss to determine if she was a lesbian. She chose to retire early, and “began to come out to anyone who would listen to my story.” She lobbied for the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell “to help free others from unnecessary pain and agony.” She helped compile a series of letters called We Are Family Too from military personnel who had been affected by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. In part due to Beth’s actions, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed in 2011.

Now at Wesley Palms, Beth has a rainbow flag on her patio. “Cara, who’s our director of sales and marketing, said the prospects really like the fact that we have diversity,” Beth says. “I think, there are little things like that that you can do too if you really are serious about wanting to bring in more people from our community.”

“America’s attitude and values have dramatically changed since I was tailed 42 years ago by my boss for being possibly a lesbian,” says Beth. “New laws and policies are giving hope for liberty and justice for all.”

Brian agrees. “It’s a lot different than it was 43 years ago. My experience and my partner Henry’s experience over the years is that as we have been a little bit forthright in who we are, that the response has been almost overwhelmingly positive with very few exceptions, both in our families and in the communities we’ve lived in.”

You can watch the Strength of Community chat on the Front Porch Retirement YouTube Channel. You can subscribe to future chats here.

The post Caring with Pride: Welcoming and including the LGBTQ community appeared first on Front Porch.

When people move to a Covia Community, they don’t just get a new address. Our residents root themselves into the kind of community they once enjoyed with long-time neighbors and friends. Once they settle in to one of our communities, it often isn’t long before new connections grow and blossom.

It starts with the natural sense of community we cultivate every day. You’re surrounded by neighbors who will soon become friends. Before you know you it, you’re enjoying meaningful conversations, over dinner or drinks, or finding others who share your interests and hobbies – and a mutual place to share them.

You become part of a community where health, hospitality, and engagement are built in. You’ll form new friendships, find new interests, or discover how to dig deeper into passions you already have.

The list of ways to cultivate a new community of neighbors is seemingly endless.

If it’s the outdoors you seek, our communities have plenty to offer. From walking trails to community gardens, nature is at your beck and call, with others to join you on the path, if you desire.

If you’re a “roll up your sleeves” and “get in on the action” type of person, we’ve got plenty of ways for you to do just that. You might find connections by getting involved through joining a resident committee or the resident council.

Are you more interested in cultural events and activities? Whether it’s musical events, films, literature, visual arts, or trips to local museums or cultural centers, you can find events on the community calendar and like-minded people who share your interests.

Or if you’re simply looking for opportunities to connect over a meal or casual conversations with neighbors who know you, there’s a Covia solution in a community that feels like a home and more.

Belonging goes hand-in-hand with being a resident at one of our communities. The list of ways to build connections is as big as you might imagine – and may even be bigger. It’s worth exploring. All you need to do to get started is reach out and schedule a visit.

The post The Covia Connection: Building Your Community appeared first on Front Porch.

Friends House is a Quaker-inspired continuing care retirement community located in Sonoma County that is centered on the values of peace, integrity, simplicity, equality, and community.

Friends House opened in 1984, starting out with a handful of residents, and has grown over the last 37 years into a community with 63 garden apartments and 4 houses for independent living. One of Friends Houses’ founders, Robert Schutz, noted in an article on the community’s opening that the founders “got exactly what we had wanted and planned: a small community where everyone would know everyone else and feel a sense of community.”

These sentiments continue to be true in 2021. Associate Executive Director Jaclyn Carenbauer says, “Friends House is the true meaning of community. At Friends House, you feel welcomed, cared for, appreciated, and you know that you matter to the community.”

“As a small community, we know all other residents and thus are able to support one another,” noted a longtime Friends House resident.

Activities and Events

This sense of welcoming and inclusion is present throughout, including Friends House’s activities and events. Residents run and lead their own activities, such as knitting, mahjong, book club, Saturday night movies, language classes, and more. This direct input means that the calendar of activities always reflects what residents are passionate about.

Outside of weekly activities, Friends House also holds special events throughout the year. For example, Jazz in July welcomes members of the wider community out to the Friends House patio for jazz music, dancing, appetizers, and a collection of vintage cars. The Quaker Tea, inspired by Friends Houses Quaker heritage, invites the wider Santa Rosa community to peruse art created by residents, listen to music, and enjoy resident made baked goods and finger sandwiches. In traditional Quaker dress, residents serve tea and all proceeds from the event go to fund community service projects.

The Quaker Tea is one of two resident led fundraisers, the second being the Holiday Fair that is held in November. The fair features items handmade by residents, a bake sale, French café, and outside vendors.

Garden Campus

Friends House is located on a 7-acre garden campus bursting with natural beauty. One of Carenbauer’s favorite aspects of the community is the “campus’s focus on enjoying nature in its natural state.” Each apartment has its own garden out front and the community has over 100 fruit trees and rose bushes.

Friends House also features the Sunny Garden, a shared community garden with close to a dozen raised beds. Created during the pandemic as a way to foster connection when residents were unable to gather in person, the Sunny Garden features plots that are tended by both residents and staff.

Beyond the gardens, residents also enjoy a full library, fitness center, hair salon, café, and a creek path as well as additional amenities that make life at Friends House relaxing and peaceful.

Continuing Care

As a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), Friends House offers different levels of care including independent living and assisted living. Friends House also offers an Options program, which brings the support of assisted living into independent living apartments so residents can live independently for longer while receiving the care that they need. Residents have access to skilled nursing care at Spring Lake Village, Covia’s Life Plan community located in Santa Rosa right across the street from Trione-Annadel State Park.

Covia and Friends House coming together provides further opportunities for support and Carenbauer is excited not only “for the opportunities to connect with the larger Covia community” but also “for the other Covia communities to experience the warmth and friendship of Friends House staff and residents.” Two longtime residents shared that they are looking forward to “being part of a larger community with shared values and the opportunity to share activities.”

If you are interested in learning more about Friends House, we invite you to visit their new website and follow their Facebook page.

The post Welcoming Friends House to Covia appeared first on Front Porch.

“It starts with connection,” says Ellin Ostler, a resident at Vista del Monte in Santa Barbara. “I believe that connecting with people, even during COVID, is extremely important,” Ellin says. “I met with several people each day, even if it was over the phone or through Zoom.”

As many of us learned this past year, connections do not have to be face-to-face to be meaningful. Well Connected, a Community Services program that offers phone and online activities such as group conversations, games, and education, has proven to be highly effective at building community. “The Well Connected community offers a sense of connection and belonging through volunteers who are committed, reliable and friendly,” says Jill Melchior, a Well Connected participant from California. “This has really made a difference in the lives of many, especially, during the pandemic when so many of us felt isolated.”

For those who decide to move to a physical community the sense of connection begins on day one. “We have residents who go far out of their way to welcome and integrate new residents,” says Joyce B. Friedman of San Francisco Towers. Retired kindergarten teacher Pat Ganje who lives at Villa Gardens in Pasadena says, “Because we have so many educators here from college down to early grades, those experiences have built much of our culture. We are used to welcoming people and being involved. So when someone new moves in, we find ways to get them involved, too.”

Adele Pickar found that same sense of hospitality when she moved to Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa. “I noticed immediately the friendliness of the residents and staff,” she says. “Everyone smiled and said hello. It was a heartwarming welcome for me into this community. A culture of friendliness; nothing could be better in my book of beginnings.”

Adele explains that a strong community needs to be built on trust and mutual respect. “Many times, people wait for an opening to know you better and then begin to build a relationship of trust,” she says. “I believe these personal attributes make our community a very strong one. I also believe that these traits contribute to resilience, which we surely need and enjoy as we age.”

Welcoming new residents is just the first step. “At Spring Lake Village, the variety of ways to get to know each other and find common interests and new stimuli is terrific,” says resident Susan Drake. Beyond finding common interests, residents support one another. Susan recalled that when one resident had a serious health issue, an email list of 37 of her friends was set up to convey messages to her son about her progress.

Communities of strength find ways to help people through life’s changes as well. In 2014, members of the resident-led Spring Lake Village Wellness Committee began The Transitions Program in an effort to address the emotional, social and spiritual needs of residents. “Life experiences such as moving to our community, changes in our physical abilities, loss of partners, family members and friends, crisis events such as fire and attendant evacuation, have been addressed through the Transitions Program,” says program leader Janet Gelfman. “In providing an opportunity for residents to listen to, and to share their life experiences in honest conversation, Transitions makes our community stronger and more resilient to the effects of aging.”

Communities of strength also reach out beyond themselves to help others. Ellin shared how Vista del Monte hosted a “Turkey Trot” at Thanksgiving and “Bunny Hop” during Easter time. “We walked and we contributed to the food bank,” Ellin says. “On the Bunny Hop, we raised $3,725. I think the creativity and the willingness of our residents to get involved is really one of the strengths of our community.”

Spring Lake Village also extends its mission beyond its physical walls with a very active Community Outreach Committee, which has raised money for a wide range of local agencies. Members of the Community Outreach Committee explained how, along with Habitat for Humanity, the committee built a playhouse for a little girl whose family lost their home in one of the California fires of 2017.

For Pat Ganje, Camp Villa, a summer camp for local children organized by Villa Gardens residents and hosted at their community was a great way to engage both residents and neighborhood kids. “All my fellow residents wanted to volunteer, so our challenge was unusual.  We had more volunteers than jobs!”

“The best part of the experience was the mutual benefit,” Pat says. “We received as much, or more than, we gave.”

“Community that is created here, is genuine,” says Frank Marini, a resident of Fredericka Manor in Chula Vista. “The residents are very important, but it’s never been clearer to me than this past year that the staff here are a big part of this community.”

At San Francisco Towers, “We are blessed with an outstanding staff, who are helpful, kind, and supportive,” Joyce says. Susan from Spring Lake Village adds, “Staff goes the extra mile to make residents feel safe. Words aren’t enough to convey this appreciation.”

“Our strength has been expressed throughout the COVID isolation with residents finding ways to bolster one another’s spirits and to appreciate the incredible efforts of our management and employees to provide a safe and nourishing time,” says Janet of Spring Lake Village. “As we ‘open up’, we will once again be able to join together to share our stories, gaining strength and healing from one another.”

The post Front Porch and Covia Residents Build Communities of Strength appeared first on Front Porch.

When many of us think about well-being, our minds turn to the physical part – eating healthy foods and getting the recommended amount of exercise. Of course, physical well-being is important, but at Covia we take it a few steps further. To us, well-being is about the whole person: intellectual stimulation, creative exploration, spiritual support and community connection. When you look at your well-being through the “whole person” lens, there are lots of ways you can optimize your future!

Big-picture thinking is important for each of us. In fact, it’s important for us at the organizational level, as well. Covia recently announced our affiliation with Front Porch. The joining together of two non-profit organizations with similar ideals means a brighter future for those we serve. When it comes to our own well-being as an organization, this is a decision that just made sense. Together we have expanded expertise in areas such as technology and programming, as well as gaining additional resources to make each of our communities even more well-rounded. Bottom line, we think everyone wins.

Although Front Porch communities are part of a larger organization, each community still maintains its unique character and we remain focused on the well-being of the residents we serve across our communities.

We’re excited to watch residents discover (or rediscover) their passions. At Covia, everyone has the freedom to find a personalized approach to well-being through the range of activities and spaces available at our communities. Maybe it’s working in the garden, enjoying outdoor happy hours, practicing meditation or other spiritual practices, painting or drawing, or simply borrowing a book from the community library and reading with a cup of coffee in the lounge. Additionally, our Community Services programs provide opportunities to lead or participate in classes with Well Connected, connect one-on-one through Social Call or explore your creative side with Creative Spark. Whatever your passion, there are many ways to take care of body, mind, and spirit at Covia.

Of course, our “whole person” philosophy also includes the physical aspects we mentioned earlier. Each community offers a range of options for exercise such as swimming, cardio and “mind/body” activities like Tai Chi, with activities directors and wellness experts on site. On the nutritional side, healthy, delicious culinary options are in full supply.

When it comes down to the essentials of healthy aging and overall well-being, we’ve got you covered.

Now is a great time to make a plan for your well-being. Join us for one of our upcoming events or come tour one of our communities. We’d love to learn more about you and show you the very best in senior living lifestyle options built with your well-being in mind!

The post The whole person approach: At Covia, well-being is mind, body, spirit appeared first on Front Porch.

For many of our residents, being a life-long learner is an essential part of who they are. Helping to feed this hunger for knowledge shapes many of our programs. A great example of this is our partnership with the University of California Retiree Learning Series. In May residents across all of our communities will participate in a lecture by distinguished UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Richard A. Walker about the New Deal and our nation’s history of public works.  In June, a panel of local experts will provide a real estate reality check to separate fact from fiction about the current housing market. Across all our events, our goal is to support different interests and inspire great conversations. Add to that local programs, exercise offerings, cultural events, and community interest activities, and a well-rounded, involved life at our communities is easy to achieve.

As the world around us begins to slowly open up, the science of socialization and involvement is top of mind. The past year has been difficult and frustrating, but it’s also demonstrated the creativity of Covia residents and our staff when it comes to staying involved and connected. Thanks to the vaccine, we’re looking forward to the days when the pandemic is in the rearview mirror and more of what we can do can be in person. But the reality is, involvement is really a sort of “booster” to the important role of engagement in healthy aging. Here are some interesting facts worth sharing:

According to the CDC, the link between an active lifestyle and involvement is directly tied to our overall physical and mental health. This only increases as we age.

The CDC also reports that learning or getting involved in a new activity provides a form of “insurance” against memory loss. While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s or dementia, staying active and eager to learn is the best preventive care you can find.

Even now, one of the most common phrases we hear from residents is, “I wish I’d moved in sooner.” The opportunities across our communities to get involved and connected is a key reason for that. Most of our residents have lived active lives full of social events, raising families, volunteer activities, meaningful careers, and varied interests.

The stereotype that a senior living community is for those who are slowing down couldn’t be further from the truth, and our residents demonstrate that every day.

As we begin to move towards a post-pandemic world, there’s no better time to get involved. Join us for one of our upcoming lectures. Or come visit one of our communities. We’d love to be part of that journey with you, and to continue to provide the very best in senior living lifestyle options that we truly believe are second-to-none!

The post Covia Communities Make It Easy to Stay Active and Involved appeared first on Front Porch.

The communities received Best Nursing Homes status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for Short-Term Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, or both. Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove, St. Paul’s Towers in Oakland, and San Francisco Towers all received the recognition for Short Term Rehabilitation. Webster House Health Center in Palo Alto was recognized for its Long Term Care. And Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa received the honor for both Short Term and Long Term care.

U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those homes that satisfy U.S. News’s assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures. This year, to accompany the new ratings, nursing home profile pages were updated to include a patient safety summary that reflects COVID-19 data alongside other measurements of safety and related advice on choosing a home or facility amidst the pandemic.

“I am so proud of all our Covia teams and their leadership, especially their implementation of the infection prevention processes that resulted in exceptional resident outcomes during this challenging pandemic,” says Cynthia Shelby, Covia’s Regional Director of Quality and Care, RN, RAC-CT.

All of the communities noted the extraordinary care and efforts given by their team members. Max Brodsky, Health Care Administrator at San Francisco Towers, says, “As I make my rounds checking in with the residents staying at the Health Center, one thing I hear over and over is ‘You have the most wonderful staff working here. They are kind, hard-working, and always do their best.’  It’s our culture of respect and integrity, and staff who embrace our philosophy that makes us the best and a five star facility.”

At St. Paul’s Towers, Health Care Administrator Connie Yuen says, “Our staff works from the kindness and love in their hearts. We’ve been told time and time again we do not work with patients, we work with residents that become a part of our family that we love and care for. The staff go above and beyond to connect with residents and take it a step further by providing updates, photos and spontaneous phone calls to give loved ones peace of mind.” Executive Director Mary Linde adds, “We at SPT are delighted to be among the best nursing homes in the country.  But it comes as no surprise because we see the care, and the relationships that drive that care, on a daily basis. I believe the staff in our SPT SNF are, indeed, among the best in the industry.”

Kris Hermanson, Health Care Administrator at Spring Lake Village which was rated as High Performing for both Short Term and Long Term care, says, “It’s satisfying knowing you are giving quality care to our residents who deserve and have earned it!”

Now in its 11th year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes ratings and profiles offer comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing and more for nearly all of the nation’s 15,000-plus nursing homes. The Best Nursing Homes ratings reflect U.S. News’ exclusive analysis of publicly available data using a methodology defined by U.S. News that evaluates factors that it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes.   

“U.S. News strives to provide access to information that allows consumers to make educated decisions on all types of care,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “Updating the profiles to include a patient safety summary that highlights COVID-19 data paired with other measures of care arms families, caregivers and patients with the information needed to make a decision that keeps safety at the highest priority.” 

The Best Nursing Home finder features ratings on both long-term and short-term care. The Long-Term Care Rating aims to provide prospective residents who need help with daily activities, and their families, with analysis and information regarding the quality of care provided by nursing homes. The rating includes data on staffing, success in preventing ER visits and pneumonia vaccination rates, among other metrics. The short-term rating incorporates measures of quality including consistency of registered nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing falls.

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information behind both U.S. News ratings please refer to the FAQ.

The post Covia Communities Skilled Nursing recognized by U.S. News & World Report appeared first on Front Porch.

The Life Enrichment Directors across Covia Communities have been meeting monthly to share their upcoming plans and find ways to collaborate and share their virtual activities with residents of other communities. Alex Gerasimov, Covia’s Project Manager for resident experience, says, “In this time, our Life Enrichment teams united to support one another and to learn about each other’s best practices on keeping residents and staff engaged and involved in meaningful programs that enhance their health and wellness.”

Residents of Canterbury Woods and Webster House meet together on Zoom for weekly lectures and discussion groups on current events and world travel. Ania Spiering, Life Enrichment Director at Webster House, shares, “Both programs engage residents in conversation, which keeps it lively and interesting. It is wonderful to see people coming together and utilizing the possibilities that technology provides.” The two communities also share musical programs with each other. Every week, a Canterbury Woods resident shares a recorded concert, and in return, Lily Godsoe, the Webster House chaplain, offers a flute and meditation session.

Other communities have taken advantage of the virtual space to invite residents from all communities to join their ongoing events, creating more enrichment opportunities.  St. Paul’s Towers invited residents of the other Covia communities to join its sponsored webinar about water issues facing Northern California, offered as part of the UC Retiree Learning Series.  San Francisco Towers is also opening up its weekly lecture series to all communities. In September, the guest lecturer was Dr. Tammy Duong on dealing with loneliness and depression during the isolation of the pandemic. Spring Lake Village, known for its award-winning active wellness and fitness programs, shared all of its fitness videos with the other Covia communities so all residents can stay active in the comfort of their homes.

*This article was originally posted in the Fall 2020 edition of Community Matters

The post Enriching Community Through Shared Experiences appeared first on Front Porch.

Those being helped by the Circle of Friends fund have an average age of over 90 years, with 40% living with a higher level of care. They have been part of their communities on average for more than 16 years.

“The Circle of Friends is so close to the hearts of our residents,” said Covia Foundation Executive Director Katharine Miller. “We are so grateful for the support of this fund that provides assistance for those in our Life Plan Communities who outlive their resources.”

Covia Foundation rounded out the day’s celebration with a prize drawing. Prizes included personalized dinners from the Executive Chefs, themed gift baskets, and a Google Nest Max Hub, a video smart speaker.

The event immediately showed the effect of its success, with our prize winners reaching out with excitement and gratitude, and many residents making donations online or reaching out to the Foundation with questions about planned gifts and estate gifts. Said one supporter: “This is a great cause for us to get behind because this could happen to any of us.”

*This article was originally posted in the Fall 2020 edition of Community Matters

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