Reflections on Life at Kendal

This afternoon I want to share a personal reflection on how I feel about life at Kendal after moving here as a Founder with the first residents to settle in back in 2005 and an observation made by a resident who has only been here since early in 2012.

Last week our Resident Association Council  changed the format of their monthly meeting into an open forum to which all residents were invited to come and share their concerns about life at Kendal.  As the president opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. he asked those present to feel free to share whatever was on their mind about Kendal be it good or not so good.  One of the very first comments came from a resident who moved here early in 2012.  This person is someone whose experience here includes using an electric wheelchair and oxygen 24/7 so he has to deal with issues that many of us do not.  This is what he had to say, "I'm concerned that we might  not be able to get to dinner if we bring up all of what's good."  Considering that our dinner hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.one would have to agree that this is a very positive reaction to life at Kendal.

To better appreicate my reflection on how I feel about my life now at Kendal I believe it will be helpful to share a little about my life before and after coming here eight years ago.  I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made several trips a year driving alone to visit my son and a steoson and their families in Ohio.  Having grown up in northwest Ohio and with family in Ohio I determined that I wanted to find a CCRC in Ohio.  As a former teacher of geriatric nursing and living in Philadelphia I knew about Kendal so when I learned about a new Kendal being built in Granville I applied and the rest is history.

After my retirement as a director of a school of nursing I became an active hospital auxilian so naturally when I arrived here I looked for something worthwhile to fill my time.   I joined a local church and got involved in several small groups there.   Here at Kendal my activities include serving on the Pool Committee, the Gallery Committee, and the Diversity Committee.  As a member of the Fiber Arts Group I have been responsible for three shows of Fiber Arts works in the Kendal Art Gallery.  Recently I've begun taking part in our Genealogy Group.

Aong the way a number of things have resulted in changes to the way I live my life.  I've had seven surgeries which have exposed me to three community hospitals as well as one brief stay in our assisted living  unit and a one month stay in our skilled nursing unit. I have been the beneficiary of a variety of services from our physical therapy department..  I now walk with the assistance of a rollator and I no longer drive.  Reluctantly I've had to drop out of my church activities since I no longer drive.  As a result I now take advantage of the Sunday afternoon services held here in our Central Activities Room.

Last week as I was talking with a staff member who was helping me to arrange for one of my transportation needs and fulfill a maintenance request I commented to her about my life here at Kendal as follows, "With the housekeeping staff to keep my apartment clean, the maintenance staff to respond to my calls for help when something doesn't work, the dining staff to provide me with nourishing meals, and a set of drivers to take me to medical appointments and shopping living at Kendal is the nearest thing to heaven on earth that I can ask for."  Looking back I realize that I overlooked mentioning the healthcare staff who have helped me recover when necessary and who help me keep well so that in spite of the problems I have to overcome I still feel positive about life and look forward to many more years here.