Abundant Life: A Year in Review 2023 Posted on December 27, 2023December 28, 2023 The mission of Lutheran SeniorLife has always been to provide compassionate, high-quality senior living and health care services that enrich the lives of older adults and their families. As we bid farewell to 2023, we reflect on a year filled with compassion, resilience, and moments of joy at Lutheran SeniorLife. Our commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults in our communities has never been stronger, and we are pleased to share some highlights from the past year. Lutheran SeniorLife In 2023, Lutheran SeniorLife achieved a number of significant milestones beginning with the completion of the St. John Community transformation project. The Passavant Community welcomed the introduction of Rosie the Robot to the Baron’s Inn restaurant. The VNA enhanced its infrastructure through the acquisition of a fleet of new Jeep Compasses. In addition, LIFE celebrated the anniversaries of LIFE Beaver and Butler Counties. Moreover, the Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation achieved one of its most successful Annual Events in October. Furthermore, Lutheran SeniorLife released a video highlighting the vibrant lifestyles of its residential living communities, and the exceptional care that makes Lutheran SeniorLife a truly special place to live an Abundant Life®, click here to watch. The accolades continue with the nurses and other health care professionals providing testimonials describing the heartfelt benefits that come with being a part of this enriching, life-giving community in another video: Lutheran SeniorLife Nursing: Fostering Meaningful Relationships! St. John Community The St. John Community marked the 10th anniversary of Overbrook Pointe, commemorating not only a decade of existence but also the transformative changes brought about throughout the community by the successful completion of several renovation projects. The projects included the development of a spacious and welcoming foyer, a modern personal care neighborhood, Edgewood Grove, as well as 27 residential living apartments—The Residence at St. John. The community also expanded its personal care rooms for residents in need of long-term dementia care and memory impairments. “This is a significant step forward for St. John’s commitment to providing a continuum of care,” noted Samantha Rapuk, Executive Director of St. John Community. Passavant Community The Passavant Community has been enriching lives and contributing to the Zelienople community for over a century. “The influence of the Passavant Community reaches far beyond its walls,” explained Laura Roy, Executive Director. “Passavant has become an integral part of the Zelienople community, shaping the local culture through its steadfast dedication to serving older adults.” In doing so, Passavant Community received national attention this fall when Scott Detrow, renowned NPR journalist and weekend host of NPR All Things Considered, visited to converse with residents about a topic that has been capturing the nation’s attention—aging politicians. Moreover, in an effort to enhance services, Passavant welcomed Rosie the Robot to collaborate with the staff of the Baron’s Inn restaurant to deliver food and drinks to the residents. VNA (Visiting Nurses Association of Western Pennsylvania) The VNA invested in a fleet of vehicles offering its nurses a 2023 Jeep Compass through the Lutheran SeniorLife vehicle program. This development highlighted the importance of investing in the infrastructure necessary to deliver home health care services throughout western Pennsylvania. “Nurses form the backbone of any healthcare system, providing critical medical assistance, compassion and support to patients,” noted Margie Walsh, Executive Director of VNA. “By ensuring that our nurses have reliable transportation, the VNA demonstrates a clear commitment to enhancing the quality of care and the overall well-being of our patients.” LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) Embracing the aging process gracefully does not have to entail depending on others for daily activities or transitioning to a long-term care community. Instead, LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly), supports older adults with the services they need to live safely and independently in their own homes. In October, LIFE celebrated the impact it has had on the communities it serves in Beaver and Butler counties. LIFE Beaver County marked its 20th Anniversary while LIFE Butler County celebrated its 15th Anniversary. “As we reflect on the past 15 years, we are filled with gratitude for the trust and support the Butler community has shown LIFE Butler County,” said Marla Frailey, Director of LIFE Butler. LIFE Beaver County Director Don Schamberg expressed his gratitude to the community and the staff. “Our dedicated and compassionate staff are the heart and soul of our organization,” noted Schamberg. “They work tirelessly to provide exceptional care in support of the participants, and I’m truly grateful for each and every one of them.” Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation The Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation held its “Annual Event” at the Pittsburgh Field Club in October. The gathering united friends, partners, sponsors and employees for a common cause–to raise funds aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older adults and the communities they call home. This year’s event emerged as one of the most successful events in the history of the foundation, a true testament to the commitment and generosity of every single donor in attendance. “Year after year, the Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation’s Annual Event has proven to be a testament to our collective mission and commitment of our sponsors, partners and supporters, said Foundation President Jane Bittcher. “It’s a celebration of the extraordinary impact we can achieve when we come to support and uplift the lives of those we serve every day.” Looking Forward to the New Year! As we look ahead to 2024, Lutheran SeniorLife remains dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seniors, embracing new opportunities, and continuing our mission of compassionate care. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our residents, their families, our staff, and the community for their continued support. Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season and a promising New Year!