Tag Archives: retirement community

Hillcrest Shares Practical Tips to Help Seniors Stay Engaged and Connected During the Holiday Season

LA VERNE, Calif., Dec. 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The holiday season brings warmth and celebration for many, but it can also heighten feelings of loneliness, grief, and disconnection among older adults. Hillcrest, one of Southern California’s leading continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), is encouraging seniors and their families to approach the season with intention, compassion, and community-minded connection.

Image caption: INFOGRAPHIC – Hillcrest shares six simple holiday connection tips designed to help older adults stay engaged, supported, and emotionally connected throughout the season.

“Loneliness during the holidays is real and common. Some seniors are navigating the loss of a spouse, changes in mobility, or adult children who live far away,” explains Ryan Harrison, PsyD, Certified Wellness Professional and Hillcrest’s Director of Resident Life and Wellness. “At Hillcrest, we encourage our residents to stay engaged and support their emotional and physical health.”

As part of Hillcrest’s whole-person wellness philosophy, Harrison offers a series of simple, accessible tips to help older adults nurture connection and find joy in the season.

TIPS FOR SENIORS TO STAY ENGAGED:

Be in community. Seek places and people that feel like home. Join a holiday meal, attend a sing-along, or simply sit with neighbors to enjoy decorations. A shared moment can be as powerful as a big gathering.
Stay active in ways that feel good. Winter can bring lower energy and less movement. Gentle routines like indoor walking, balance classes, chair yoga, or time in a warm pool, help support mood, strength, and confidence. Hydration still matters in colder months, even when thirst is less obvious. Regular sleep and nutrient-dense meals also protect energy and emotional steadiness.
Lead with gratitude and a positive mindset. Pause to notice small joys: a warm drink, a kind note, a favorite song. Instead of dwelling on what feels different or missing, embrace reminders that your presence still matters and you remain part of the world around you.
Choose intention over expectation. Many older adults feel pressure to recreate holidays exactly as they were decades ago. That can invite disappointment. Instead, pick one or two traditions that feel meaningful, and let the rest be flexible. Peace often comes from simplicity.
Explore someone else’s tradition. Ask a neighbor or friend what makes the season special for them. Sharing another person’s ritual can create new bonds and new memories without the burden of perfection.
Use technology as a bridge. Harrison encourages tech-savvy relatives to use technology to communicate with seniors. Take the time to show them photos on your phone or invite them to join a video call and enjoy the connections together.

HILLCREST’S COMMITMENT TO HOLISTIC SEASONAL WELLNESS

At Hillcrest, Harrison encourages residents to focus on wellness by caring for body, mind, spirit, environment, emotions, relationships, and pursuits. During the winter months, residents are supported by wellness and life enrichment teams through movement classes, brain-healthy, nutritious dining options, and frequent group gatherings.

“We know the older people in our lives value moments of joy, and with small, intentional steps, we can help them feel supported and surrounded by community through every season of life,” said Harrison.

ABOUT HILLCREST

Hillcrest is an upscale 501(c)(3) nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) centrally located in the San Gabriel Valley, less than 30 minutes from Los Angeles, Anaheim, Pasadena, and San Bernardino and at the gateway to the Inland Empire. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood just off Foothill Boulevard in La Verne, California, Hillcrest offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing with an emphasis on wellness and health. For more information, visit: https://liveathillcrest.org/.

IMAGE link for media: https://liveathillcrest.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/hc-holiday-connection-tips-scaled.png

Infographic caption: Hillcrest shares six simple holiday connection tips designed to help older adults stay engaged, supported, and emotionally connected throughout the season.

NEWS SOURCE: Hillcrest

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Hillcrest), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hillcrest-shares-practical-tips-to-help-seniors-stay-engaged-and-connected-during-the-holiday-season/

At Commencement, The Woodlands at Furman Graduates to ‘Certified University Based Retirement Community (UBRC)’ Status

GREENVILLE, S.C., June 2, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Woodlands at Furman, a 350+ resident senior living community in partnership with Furman University, has met criteria to be recognized as a “Certified University Based Retirement Community (UBRC)”, the highest category among more than 85 University Retirement Communities (URCs) nationwide. As launched last Fall by UniversityRetirementCommunities.com, the nation’s largest directory and information resource for the rapidly growing model of senior living communities with connection to a host university or college, The Woodlands is the first “Certified UBRC” in the Eastern United States, and second overall, along with Mirabella at ASU in Tempe, Arizona.

PHOTO caption: Andrew Carle, Founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com, presents the official “Certified University Based Retirement Community” designation to Rick Brackett, President & CEO, and Ezra Hall, Director of Philanthropy & Engagement at The Woodlands at Furman, during the awards ceremony.

“As universities and colleges celebrate Commencement nationwide, we are incredibly proud to ‘graduate’ as a ‘Certified University Based Retirement Community (UBRC),’ the equivalent of magna cum laude status,” stated Rick Brackett, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Woodlands at Furman. “We are truly honored by our partnership with Furman University and the work of the entire team at The Woodlands in creating an active, intellectually stimulating, and intergenerational environment that is reinventing senior living while bringing residents and students together to meet the needs of an aging population.”

“With the continuing growth in the number of University Retirement Communities (URCs) in the U.S. it was imperative to bring structure to this sector, in particular recognizing communities representing the highest level of integration with a host university or college,” stated Andrew Carle, Founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com. As Director of the Program in Senior Living Administration at George Mason University, Carle created a 5-criteria model in 2006 for a “University Based Retirement Community (UBRC)” that has been recognized as the standard for defining such communities. The criteria served as the basis for the certification program, with communities meeting all five, along with related standards, eligible for “Certified” status. Carle previously served as Senior Consultant – Health Intelligence for J.D. Power and Associates, for whom he helped lead development of its Certified Senior Living Community program in 2017.

Certification criteria include the proximity of the community to the campus, documented resident-to-university and student-to-community programs, a continuum of senior living services, the percent of residents who are alums or retired university faculty or staff, and a financial relationship between the community and university that supports long term operational success. The Woodlands is located on 99-year leased land from Furman University, and residents can participate in the university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, receive courtesy greens fees at the Furman Golf Course, and discounts to both athletic and visual and performing arts events. Nearly four dozen residents hold a personal connection to the university, including alums, retired faculty and staff, and past members of the Board of Trustees. The community offers a full continuum of senior living services, while providing easy access for student internships, employment, and volunteer work within the community.

The three-year certification allows the community to display the “Certified UBRC” logo, as well as receive the highest search ranking on the UniversityRetirementCommunities.com website.

ABOUT THE WOODLANDS AT FURMAN

The Woodlands at Furman is a Premier Life Plan Community in Greenville, SC, offering a full continuum of care. Voted “Best of the Upstate” eight years running, The Woodlands is the path of choice for active, lifelong learners with upscale amenities in a serene, natural setting. As the only locally owned and operated non-profit Life Plan Community in the area, they offer tiered lifestyle and healthcare options all on one campus, including independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing, so residents can count on peace of mind for the future. https://thewoodlandsatfurman.org

ABOUT UNIVERSITYRETIREMENTCOMMUNITIES.COM

Launched in 2023, UniversityRetirementCommunities.com is the first directory and information resource website dedicated exclusively to the rapidly growing model of senior living communities hosted by or with formal connection to a university or college. Currently listing more than 85 communities, the site also serves as a resource for academic institutions or other providers seeking to develop a new or enhance an existing University Retirement Community (URC), along with the first national certification program for URCs. https://www.universityretirementcommunities.com/

MULTIMEDIA:

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NEWS SOURCE: The Woodlands at Furman

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (The Woodlands at Furman), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/at-commencement-the-woodlands-at-furman-graduates-to-certified-university-based-retirement-community-ubrc-status/

Westerwood is Calling All Pups to the Dog Days of Summer Parade

COLUMBUS, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- The Westerwood Life Care community is hosting two fun events for you and your pets. The Dog Days of Summer celebration includes a parade and a chance to cuddle therapy dogs and adopt furry friends. The free Pet Communication webinar will show you how to have a real heart-to-heart conversation with your pet.

"We love our pets at Westerwood," said Lisa Burkhart, Executive Director. "We are so excited to host these community events. Several residents have already planned outfits for their pups and can't wait to get insights into what some of their behavior means."

The Pet Communication Webinar is 10 a.m.-noon EDT Wednesday, July 14. This fun and engaging class will be led by Maia Kincaid, Ph.D., a world-renowned Animal and Nature Communication Specialist. Kincaid will telepathically converse with the pets of the first five attendees to sign up and an additional randomly selected participant. She will help address behavioral issues and answer questions about health, diet and upsets.

"Participants learn to distinguish their inner voice from the animal's voice," Kincaid said. She believes everyone can hone their natural ability to communicate with animals. And some of her most gifted webinar attendees started out as the most skeptical.

The Dog Days of Summer event is 9-11 a.m. EDT Saturday, July 17. PetPeople of Westerville is sponsor and will award prizes for the pet parade. The Columbus Humane Society will bring adoptable furry friends for guests to play with and hopefully adopt. Attendees can also enjoy live music by Bill Foley, bakery goods and community tours.

"Columbus Humane would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Westerwood Senior Living for hosting us at their Dog Days of Summer event!" said Brittany Williams, Director of Marketing at Columbus Humane. "We are thrilled to get back out into the community, sharing pet tips, tricks and adoptable animals with friends. The generosity of animal lovers in our community is what makes Columbus such a great city. Together we can all make Columbus Humane."

"We are so excited to be involved with Westerwood and their Dog Days of Summer event!" Terri Montigny, Community Relations Manager at PetPeople, said. "We love to get involved with community events like this and were thrilled to provide prizes. We wish everyone good luck in the parade and cannot wait to see the winners! As your neighborhood store for pets, we hope to see you soon."

Visit https://www.liveatwesterwood.org/events/ to register for one or both events.

Kincaid, who is the author of "Chats with Cool Cats" and "Dogs Say the Darndest Things," has been helping pet owners speak telepathically to their pets for more than 20 years. For more information about her Animal Communication Online University visit: https://www.animalcommunicationworld.com/maia-kincaid-animal-communication.

Since 1883, Columbus Humane has been fighting animal cruelty, helping animals in need and advocating for their well-being. As an innovative leader in animal welfare, they provide a variety of services to more than 9,000 pets and their people annually.

PetPeople is the neighborhood place for natural foods and quality supplies for dogs and cats. Their team of pet enthusiasts entertains and educates to create a unique shopping experience.

Westerwood is also hosting tours of their Garden Cottages, which are in development. These spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom garden cottages offer extra room, privacy and that home-of-your-own feeling. Call 614-568-0503 to schedule a tour.

Westerwood, formerly Friendship Village Columbus, is a 23-acre, scenic nonprofit retirement community rooted in the northeast side of Columbus. It is minutes from downtown Westerville and Otterbein University. The active resident community loves lifelong learning, artistic pursuits, exercising, giving back and connecting with nature. Westerwood offers a top-rated, full continuum of care, including a Life Care contract.

This wooded oasis offers restaurant-quality dining cooked from scratch, wellness classes with a personal trainer, an arts studio, a woodshop and gardens in a friendly atmosphere where ageless spirits can indulge their curiosity. Westerwood is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit community. It is ranked as a Choice community by the Holleran Group in recognition of an exemplary culture of resident engagement. Westerwood has Platinum SAGECare certification, it has received the Top Workplaces award from Columbus CEO six years in a row and it has received the Best of Business: Retirement Community award. Learn more at http://liveatwesterwood.org/.

#LoveOurPets, #AnimalWorldCommunication, #OurCampusYourCanvas, #SeniorLiving, #PetPeople, #ColumbusHumane

Media Contact: Cheri Carl, 3rdThird Marketing, PR@3rd3rd.com

The Westerwood Life Care community is hosting two fun events for you and your pets. The Dog Days of Summer celebration includes a parade and a chance to cuddle therapy dogs and adopt furry friends. The free Pet Communication webinar will show you how to have a real heart-to-heart conversation with your pet.

Related link: https://www.liveatwesterwood.org/