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 Is Now the Time to Buy Your First House?

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Should You Buy Long-Term-Care Insurance?

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Since our last Georgia State Survey, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated Cobblestone’s credentials and posted our health care facility as a Four-Star out of a Five-Star quality rating according to the CMS quality assurance system.

Our Atlanta senior health care center boasts on high marks for health inspection results, high staff to resident ratios, increasing expectations of quality measures, and outstanding fire safety inspection results. These outcomes are greatly beneficial to Park Springs residents and any patients that require our superb nursing care from the surrounding counties. Yet, another great reason to live at Park Springs!

Cobblestone provides the following services to our members:

• Atlanta Assisted Living
• Atlanta Skilled Nursing
• Atlanta Memory Care
• Atlanta Rehabiliation for Seniors
• Atlanta Home Care

Members John & Dot Branscomb

Park Springs Members are as congenial a bunch as you’ll find.  But get them in the gym and they become pretty fierce competitors.  The community’s annual Physical Fitness Challenge is a much-anticipated event for many Members, including Dot and John Branscomb.

This year John placed third out of 106 participants and Dot was on a winning team, aptly named The Wonder Women.

There’s plenty of friendly trash talk around the Park Springs fitness center.  But Park Springs Atlanta active adults are serious about earning points for cardio exercise, resistance training, strengthening the brain, taking wellness classes and doing acts of kindness.

“The day after this year’s winners were announced we attended an exercise class, expecting to see very few Members because the competition was over,” John recalls.  “But there were more than 40 people there!”

For the Branscombs, the commitment to staying well is part of daily life.  When John was warned by his cardiologist that he was pre-diabetic and had to lose weight, he jumped into action.  “The doctor recommended a nutritionist and personal trainer in town, but I told him I had both of those right at Park Springs.”

Working with the onsite trainer and nutritionist, John dropped 20 pounds and is no longer pre-diabetic.

“There’s a new light menu option in the dining room that gives me everything I want,” he explains.  The community is known for exceptional food in all of its dining venues.

Whether they’re rehearsing for the annual Park Springs Broadway musical, serving on committees or spending time with friends, the Branscombs choose a full and active life, enhanced by daily efforts to stay fit and healthy.

To learn more about health & wellness at Park Springs, join us for a lunch & learn Tuesday, May 15 or Thursday, May 17 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Click here to RSVP NOW!

 Get informed. Get in motion. Get involved.

Park Springs – health and wellness like no other.

Park Springs Member in On-site Art Studio

In response to our recent Art Show, which will be held April 27th and featured many of our Member’s works of art, I began to reflect and wanted to share some of the benefits of art for those aging.

Creative activities can have a healing and protective effect on mental well-being. It is an important strategy for coping with chronic illness and an important contributor to improved quality of life for residents at Park Springs Continuing Care Retirement Community.

There is increasing recognition that the benefits of the arts play an important role in the health of individuals. The therapeutic effects of creative activity promote relaxation and provide a means of self-expression to boosting the immune system while reducing stress.

Park Springs offers both visual art appreciation and hands on creative work which play an important role in improving the health and well- being of its residents. Residents who participate in the arts express feelings of emotional stabilization and relaxation as they are among their peers with similar interests. The art classes and opportunities to present pieces of their own work are intended to enrich the lives of those participants, and promote socialization while enhancing psychological well- being.

Although  it is unknown if this is documented in the literature, several residents have expressed significant improvements in their blood pressure as it relates to their involvement with the arts. I have been told by many of the residents who participate in the arts the therapeutic benefits include celebrating multiple perspectives, and most importantly the ability to surrender to possibilities as they watch their own pieces of work unfold.

For those dealing with the stress of being a caregiver or coping with their own health issues the benefits of the arts has proven to be a priceless coping mechanism.

Healthfully Yours,

Shona Alexander

Director of Clinical & Home Care Services

It has been an exciting week for Park Springs Members.
There were so many Members joining the Dining Club venture to Dante’s Down The Hatch restaurant that we had to take the big red bus. The intriguing name of the restaurant alone was adequate to perk our interest and get the week started with a fun and enticing event. Dante’s was designed around an 18th century sailing ship concept where ship cabins seat small groups to enjoy the experience of a delicious fondue diner. The hostess fired up the oil pots while we sipped drinks and indulged on the delicious bread. The menu offered many fine items to choose from. I ordered the mandarin combo, which included cut up pieces of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp and vegetables. Each bite was cooked to perfection on the long fondue forks. We enjoyed the live entertainment of a guitar player right behind our table. The diner encouraged much fun and friendly conversation with great food. The Dining Club experience was enjoyed by all.
We finished the last of theOsher Lifelong Learning (OLLI) series, Great Decisions, with a most interesting lecture on Indonesia, a country many of us knew very little about. These lectures have been extremely interesting and well presented by experts in their field. The lectures were thought provoking and very informative. We all look forward to the next series as soon as theclasses can be scheduled.
On Wednesday, Simone escorted a group of fifteen residents on an architectural tour of Buckhead and downtown Atlanta. We picked up Jim Howe, a professional architectural guide in the Atlanta area to show us around. Many of us knew him from his guided tour of Northern Atlanta and his visual presentation of Western Europe. Jim led us on a leisurely tour through the Buckhead community pointing out many architecturally outstanding homes of the rich and famous ofAtlanta. We learned to identify the four basic styles of Greek architecture displayed on many of the house columns. This part of the tour was completed in time to have a delicious lunch at Six Feet Under, right across the street from the famous Oakland Cemetery. The restaurant is noted for its delicious fish dishes and many of us had their famous shrimp or fish baskets, which included their thin sliced fried potatoes. Everyone reported that they enjoyed their lunch.
We then took a bus tour around Oakland Cemetery with frequent stops for information regarding the history and significance of the cemetery. We then toured downtown, midtown and uptown Atlanta with interesting briefings regarding the architect, architectural significance and history of many of Atlanta’s famous buildings. It was noted that several of the downtown buildings were designed by world famous architects like I. M. Pei and Richard Meier. We then drove through Olympic Park to end up at the world famous Peach Tree Christian Church. The church is famous for its world-class stained glass windows. The church minister escorted us through the sanctuary explaining each window and how they depicted the birth, life and crucifixionof Christ. The church is world famous and is more beautiful than any that I have seen in Europe.
It was a great week for Park Springs Members, which provided many opportunities for site seeing, entertainment, knowledge of the area and great dining.
-Park Springs Member, William S.

For more information on Park Springs and how you can live in one of Atlanta’s premiere retirement communities, visit ParkSpringsCommunities.com or call 800-267-7126.

The event showcased not only food and wine tastings, but also cooking and food decorating demonstrations as well as the most current nutrition information. Much of the food displayed at the event was the work of local culinary school apprentice chefs competing to get a dish on the diverse Park Springs menu.

Our nationally recognized retirement community prides itself on making food and nutrition top priority for its Members. Our Members came to enjoy the delicious samplings and also mingle with possible new neighbors. Boasting of their experiences and how much they love Park Springs, Members welcomed guests and their families to enjoy the beautiful community that they call home.

Park Springs is no stranger to delicious food. Head Chef Derrick Henry daily creates fresh and exciting options ranging from a quick deli-style soup and sandwich to high-end steakhouse cuisine at four different venues within the community. The event showcased several options that may be presented on the menu on any given day. Many thanks to Inland Seafood, Kraft, Buckhead Beef and the many other sponsors for making the second annual Taste of Park Springs such a huge success!

Park Springs is a unique, resort-style continuing care retirement community offering individuals the freedom to live the retirement they love.  Members maintain control of their lifestyle with the comfort of knowing their future is protected. For more information on how you can live in one of Atlanta’s premiere retirement communities, call 678-684-3300 or visit ParkSprings.com.

Butter or Margarine?

Butter has been a no-no for years and margarine was the better choice. However, some margarine contain trans-fat. Therefore, the most important tip is to use them both in moderation. If you don’t want to give up your butter, select whipped or light  butter.

 Sea Salt vs. Table Salt?

Nutritional content for each of these is the same. Sea salt is coarser in texture, therefore you may use less than table salt.

Are eggs okay?

Eggs were once off limits to those wanting to reduce cholesterol. As it turns out, they have little effect on dietary cholesterol. Individuals can now eat one per day. In addition to protein, they contain lutein, which may protect against vision loss.

Linda and Bob Fleming are North Carolina natives who moved to Atlanta in 1983 for Bob’s management position with BellSouth. The Flemings spent 27 years in a lovely brick home in the Northlake area.

“About 2006 we could see that it was unlikely that I could continue to climb ladders, clean gutters and prune trees. We began our search for a retirement living facility,” recalls Bob.

The Flemings did not have to look long or far.  Linda, a former French instructor, was working for an international nonprofit organization and learned about Park Springs from one of her former colleagues. She and Bob later found out that several friends from their church were enjoying life at Park Springs.  The Flemings made an appointment to visit the facility.

All Systems Go

They liked what they saw, especially the onsite health care.  Both Linda and Bob had some health concerns and although they were doing well, the availability of quality care at Cobblestone was a big plus. “We’d both had a good bit of health care experience with our own aging parents,” says Linda.

The only obstacle was selling their Atlanta home in a slow economy. That’s when they turned to the Park Springs Vintage Home Program (VHP).

Helping Hands

The program offers a variety of services to assist new Members.  Participants pay only a portion of the regular entrance fee; the balance comes from the sale of their home.

The VHP team can help select a realtor, price the house, prepare it for showing and recommend improvements. They assist with utilities and maintenance and keep the house looking good while it’s on the market.

VHP experts helped the Flemings prepare their home for sale. “They brought in contractors and really simplified the process, which for us included minor repairs, new paint and carpet. We felt very good about our decision,” says Linda.

After the “for sale” sign went up, the Flemings were able to move to Park Springs the following month. When the house sold seven months later, Linda and Bob were comfortably settled in their new villa enjoying the Park Springs lifestyle.

Wise Choice

The Flemings couldn’t be happier with the move. Linda volunteers in the Park Springs Market. She also attends cultural programs and participates in water aerobics and yoga classes.

Bob indulges his love of singing by participating in two Park Springs  choirs.  He stays healthy and fit by working out in the fitness center and playing water volleyball. The Flemings enjoy dining with other Members and they remain active in their Decatur church.

Concludes Linda, “Members are fascinating and come from many different places and backgrounds.  But once they’re here, they’re all Park Springs people.”  With support from the Home Vintage program, Linda and Bob Fleming are right at home among them.

In the past, the Lifestyle Showcase has attracted over 400 seniors in attendance. With the event being held on a Saturday this year, the Council is hoping to bring in caregivers and adult children as well. Park Springs will feature collateral on all of our services as well as cookies, giveaways and possibly even a drawing to win dinner or golf.

We look forward to seeing you there as we know the event will be a huge success. Look for the Park Springs booth where you can learn all about our amazing community from one of our Sales Counselors. Make sure you stop by the event whether you are looking for information for yourself, your family member, or someone you know!

For more information on Park Springs and how you can live in one of Atlanta’s premiere retirement communities, visit ParkSpringsCommunities.com or call 800-267-7126.

• You can sell your home.
• You can take advantage of the lifestyle Park Springs offers before doing so.
• We will handle every aspect of the move.
• We will pick up the cost.