Resident Panels Help Fill Available Homes at Springhill Retirement Community


	Springhill News
May 21, 2010	Patricia Leuschen, Director of Marketing (814) 860-7042

Resident Panels Help Fill Available Homes at Springhill Retirement Community
Savvy Marketing Helps Prospective Future Residents to Envision a Simpler Life
Erie, PA---During a time when the economy and deflated home prices have kept many home owners frozen in place, Springhill retirement community has put some creative marketing to work that it believes will help bring in new residents. Springhill residents are serving as spokespeople for the community at bi-annual resident panels where they are sharing their stories about spending their retirement at Springhill, and the benefits that come with it. “With housing prices still low, some people are hesitant to sell their homes now and question the value moving to a retirement community will add,” says Patty Leuschen, director of sales and marketing at Springhill. “But what they find after attending our resident panel is that our residents have abundant reasons, including maintenance-free living and a myriad of social activities that add tremendous value to moving here. And what better way for prospects to learn about what we offer than from residents who are willing to share their personal stories about life here?” Marilyn Amthor, 85 and a one-year resident of Springhill, volunteered to share her story with prospects. “To me, Springhill means no more stress.” She revels in no longer calling strangers to her home for things like snow plowing, roof work, and plumbing. “When I added up the cost of home maintenance, taxes and the like, it was too much. I woke up one day and said, ‘Why am I doing this?’” She told a crowded room of curious potential residents it was at that point she began investigating retirement living. Ms. Amthor also cites the opportunities for social and cultural connection available to residents. She said she especially looks forward to the tailgate parties during football season, where partiers don their favorite team paraphernalia. Springhill also offers lectures, music and theater groups, and religious services that take place on campus, as well as transportation services for residents to medical, business, and entertainment venues. “Being here enhances my life. It’s a very safe and caring environment,” she says, as she recalls the day she needed some blood work done. “I didn’t have to go to my doctor’s office to get it done. In fact, I didn’t even have to get out of bed. The nurse came to my apartment, drew blood, and coordinated the rest with my doctor.” Having assisted his parents in transitioning from one living situation to another, Joseph Podolsky, another resident envoy, believes the hesitation to make the move to retirement living just may be a question about change. “Choosing to enter a new phase of life may be a tough decision to make, but if not now, when? Don’t you want to be mobile and active when you make the move?” he asked the attentive audience. Mr. Podolsky, 79, an outdoor grilling enthusiast and former GE executive, moved to Springhill about six years ago. He strongly believes it’s important to “come early and enjoy life!” His goal was to continue his active lifestyle without being fettered by the responsibilities that come with home maintenance and ownership. He joked that he now spends more time golfing than cleaning gutters. “The freedom to go and come as we please is important to us, and so is the comfort in knowing that we have health care services here that you may need down the road. I wanted to move once, and move to a retirement community where my social, recreational, and health needs can be taken care of,” Podolsky admitted. “This is the first time I’ve witnessed these resident panels,” says Ms. Leuschen. “Our hope is that this is a creative way of marketing what we have to offer so that people hear firsthand what it’s like to live at Springhill,” says Ms. Leuschen. Springhill is a CARF-CCAC-accredited continuing care retirement community that is part of Asbury Communities, Inc., which provides management and support services for a system of continuing care retirement communities for older adults. Asbury Communities is ranked by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and Ziegler Capital Markets Group’s AZ 100 as the 14th largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living organization in the country.
Springhill is a Life Care retirement community located in Erie, Penn., that is part of Asbury Communities, Inc., which provides management and support services for a system of continuing care retirement communities for older adults. Asbury Communities is ranked by American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and Ziegler Capital Markets Group’s AZ 100 as the 14th largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living organization in the country.