oaringFOR ALL LIFE CAN BE℠S

We are pleased to share this Sirst issue ofSoaring. Over the coming months and years,this monthly newsletter will be the ofSicial“voice of Westcott Lakes’ community Members.”For the Sirst year, Dick Ambrosius of PRAXEIS®will be working with the Partnership Councilof Advisors, Board of Directors and staff tocreate a very special publication, which will

increasingly be written byWestcott Lakes’Members and staff.If you would be willing to submit stories,book reviews, travelogues and educationalinformation, Dick would love to hear from youat ambrosius@praxeis.com. We would also liketo know if there are any topics, questions or is-sues you would like to see addressed.

Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of Soaring,the Voice of theWestcott Lakes® Eagles

Westcott Lakes received a Silver Award forthe Best Proposed Community for older adultsat the annual meeting of the National ActiveRetirement Association (NARA) in MyrtleBeach, South Carolina on October 2. TheNational Active Retirement Association is aninformational clearinghouse and networkingorganization for those interested in learningmore about the trends and opportunities inthe baby boomer, empty nester and retirementindustries.“We are proud of this award from anational organization that focuses oncommunities serving a new generation ofolder adults seeking the most out of life’s nextchapter. With our social events, lifelonglearning, and brain Sitness programs, we arealready developing an exciting communitywithout walls,” said CEO Chris Mulrooney. “Ibelieve our Founders Club Members are thenew pioneers who distinguish themselvesthrough their youthful pursuits reSined by thegrace of age.”

Westcott Lakes Receives National Award

© Westcott Lakes, October 2008

Marie E. Cowart, RN,DrPH, FAAN and ChristopherP. Mulrooney, M.P.S., Ph.D. in-structed the October Life Col-lege class, “The Green House®Model and Other Long-TermHealthcare Trends.” The classwas conducted at the West-cott Lakes Welcome Centerfrom 2 to 4 p.m. on October14. The Sirst half of the classwas devoted to understandingthe history of long-term carein America, current levels ofcare and the care provided ateach level.As a nurse, Marie Cowartprovided students with aunique perspective as shetraced the changing face oflong-term care facilities fromthe Agrarian Society’s PoorFarms and Alms Houses tothe Visiting Nurses, MedicalModel nursing homes that

arrived with the IndustrialSociety. Next, the InformationSociety gave birth to the cor-poratization of long-termcare, with increasing numbersof long-term care centers nowlabeled assisted living andmemory support. The Infor-mation Society gave birth tothe long-term care insurancepolicy as one way to guardagainst escalating healthcarecosts.Following the historylesson, Dr. Cowart sharedhowwe are now grapplingwith declining numbers of careproviders and increasingdemands onMedicare andMedicaid, and that most re-ceiving long-term care pay forthe cost out of pocket. She alsoshared that 80% of care pro-vided to older adults is stillprovided by family members.

She noted thatwith the dra-matic increasein the older popula-tion there wouldcome an escalating demand forlong-term chronic care andsupport, but quality providerswould be limited in number.Marie concluded her por-tion of the presentation withan overview of the stafSingchallenges the industry faces -from low pay and high stress,to declining work force. Shethen gave an overview of thechanging care models fromthe institutional MedicalModel century to the Social,Holistic and Family Modelsof care available today. Atthis point, she turned thepresentation over to ChrisMulrooney to discuss CulturalTransformation, the latest

Person-Centered CaringTakes Center Stage at

Life College

2 OctoberSoaring

care model.Dr. Mulrooney stated thatthe objective of this newmovement is to create aculture of aging in long-termcare that is life afSirming,satisfying, humane andmeaningful, resulting inperson-centered care. Thisnew model, which will be thefoundation of Westcott Lakes’healthcare program, offers arelationship based, values-driven alternative toyesterday’s institutional med-ical model, which has plaguedthe system for decades.Chris provided a historyof this new movement ofLong Term Care Pioneers thatbegan in 1997 and establishedthe Pioneer Network in 2000as the umbrella organizationto launch a cultural changemovement in the U.S. Thismovement has now gonebeyond the walls of thenursing home to includehome and community-basedservices as well as anywhereelse aging services areprovided.Chris’ passion for peoplebecame evident as he beganexplaining the concept ofPerson and Relationship-Centered Caregiving, a topicon which he did his doctoralresearch and thesis. Followingan overview of the philosophy,he shared the success of theEden Alternative’s culturalchange movement launchedby Dr. Bill Thomas. Dr. Thomasbelieved that older adults,

regardless of their health,should live in habitats forhuman beings, not sterilemedical institutions. He hasdedicated his medical careerto Sighting what he calls thethree plagues of nursinghomes: loneliness, isolationand boredom.Operations that choseto embrace Dr. Thomas’approach quickly discoveredthat companionship, givingmeaningful care to otherliving things, and experienc-ing variety and spontaneityin one’s environment cansucceed when pills andtherapies fail. Over the pastdecade, research has docu-mented the beneSits of thisapproach: low staff turnover,improved quality of life forpatients, and signiSicantdecreases in the overuse ofmedications and restraints.Chris concluded with areview of the Green HouseProject®, which is very similarto the Eden Alternative™. Thisis generally the model onwhich Westcott Lakes willcreate a person-centeredprogram of long-term care

and rehabilitative services.The model creates a smallintentional community for agroup of community membersand staff. The Green House isa place that focuses on life andthe relationships that Slourishthere. It is a radical departurefrom traditional skillednursing homes and assistedliving facilities.The Green House modelalters facility size, interiordesign, stafSing patterns, andmethods of delivering skilledprofessional services. Its pri-mary purpose is to serve as aplace where elders can receiveassistance and support withactivities of daily living andclinical care, without theassistance and care becomingthe focus of their existence.The Green House model de-in-stitutionalizes long-term care.

3October Soaring

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Over the summer, the Boardasked PRAXEIS to propose aplan that would enableWestcott Lakes to speed up thetimeline for groundbreaking asmuch as possible given thechallenging economy we arecurrently facing. In earlySeptember, the Board held alengthy meeting during whichit reviewed the PRAXEIS“Phased Development Plan”that would enable us to begindeveloping our community onjust the south half of our parcelof land.Subsequent to that meeting,the Board asked staff to engageas many Members as possibleto obtain their input onproposed plans prior to a Sinalvote by the Board at its Octobermeeting. In the weeks thatfollowed, we held eight smallgroup workshops at which CEOChris Mulrooney and VP MarkGrifSis met with 6-12 Membersper group to review initialplans. The goal was to solicitreactions, comments andconcerns; and to obtain

guidance on how best toreconSigure common space.The discussions also providedinsight as to how Membersmade their residence choices.This selection criterionprovided architects withguidance on designing therevised layout for the apart-ment residence buildings andclub home lots. New plans donot include any changes toapartment and club homeSloor plans.The input from Memberswas overwhelmingly in supportof the Phased DevelopmentPlan. After discussion of thisinput and considering the prosand cons, the Board voted onOctober 7 to move forwardwith this plan. PRAXEIS andthe architects for WestcottLakes are now incorporatingmany of the ideas from themember workshop. In the nearfuture, we will share Memberinput regarding the revisedlayout, along with answers to avariety of Member questionsraised during the small group

discussions.Within the next 30 days, wewill invite Members to theWelcome Center for individualmeetings with staff to discusstheir preferences regarding anyproposed changes to thelocation of their originalresidence selection.Impact of

Phased Development:1. 140 Apartmentresidences will be constructed in Phase 1 and88 in Phase 1A.2. 11 Club Homes will beconstructed in Phase 1and 10 in Phase 1A.3. Common Space will bereduced by 21%withexpansion in Phase 1A.4. Increase Assisted LivingSuites to 60 andMemory Support Suitesto 30.5. Skilled nursing wouldbegin with 15 privaterooms in Phase 1 and 15in Phase 1A.6. Maintain quality andamenities throughout.

“These uncertain and economically challenging times require careful planning on allour parts. It is for that reason that the Board is pleased with this new and thoughtful

opportunity to advance the Westcott Lakes mission. We believe that it will bring renewedinterest to those who are considering Westcott Lakes as part of their life plan, and will

attract others as well. And we believe that it brings reassurance to our current Membersthat we are moving closer each day to that 4irst turn of the shovel.”Judge Jim Joanos, Chairman, Westcott Lakes Board of Directors

Phased DevelopmentPhased DevelopmentPlan Annouced!Plan Annouced!

5October Soaring

Preliminary Site Plan - South OptionPreliminary Site Plan - South Option

6 OctoberSoaring

The eagle has been selected asthe symbol for Westcott Lakes’Founders Club Members becauseof the eagle’s superior visionand independence. The NorthAmerican Bald Eagle does notSlock and in fact is quite an independent loner(with the exception of his mate with whom heremains until one of them dies). So, why isthis symbol appropriate for a “community”?For over 6,000 years, the bald eagle hasbeen a symbol of not only power, courage,conquest, freedom and independence butalso of truth, the soul or its bearer, andimmortality. In mythology, this majestic birdwas believed to have been the bearer ofemperors to heaven on its wings.When you consider thecharacteristics of an eagle -independent, keen vision,resilient, resourceful andprotective of its nest, mateand young - what bettericon for a new generation ofolder pioneers could there possibly be? Whilethe eagle can survive alone on its own devices,in today’s crowded, competitive marketplaceit can be tough to go it alone.While independent, the Westcott LakesEagles understand the need for the supportof family, friends and peers to make the

vision of a Life FulSilling Community® areality…to fulSill their “passion” to make adifference. Unlike eagles, we need to “Slock”together and help each other soar to newheights of success. “When you help otherssucceed, you succeed.”Westcott Lakes Eaglesview life not for what ithas been but for what itwill be. Eagles view laterlife through differenteyes. They see thechallenge of a chess gameor bridge tournament, not a game room. Theysee a stage on which to reconnect with theirinner child seeking the applause ofappreciative fans, not just a Center for thePerforming Arts. As theEagles continue to gather atWestcott Lakes, they willreinvent retirement. Theywill challenge outdated agingstereotypes, systems,patronizing programming,and media ageism common in other“retirement communitys” . The WestcottLakes Eagles will be encouraged to exceland innovate by a team of visionaryprofessionals who will manage thecommunity’s day-to-daybusiness.

A Gathering of Eagles

Having a dedication to lifelong learningcould be just what the doctor ordered forbetter brain health. ScientiSic evidenceindicates that learning newskills and pushing yourself toimprove them helps keep thebrain in top form. Is there aclass that you have been thinking abouttaking, but have not found the time for it yet?There is no time like the present!

Consider signing up for a course in jewelrymaking, Japanese, the tango, woodworking,playing the trumpet, accounting, or whateverelse interests you. Justremember that whateveractivity you select shouldengage the great brainprocessing systems, such as the auditory,visual, and somatosensory systems. Yourbrain will thank you!Brainercise SM

Tip

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Members attending theSecond Tuesday Social at theWelcome Center had a specialtreat on October 14 in theperson of Dr. KennethBrummel-Smith. Dr. Brummell-Smith is the Chair of theDepartment of GeriatricMedicine at FSU.Whenintroducing the respecteddoctor, Chris Mulrooney sharedhow luckywe are to becollaborating with aprofessional with hiscredentials and empathy forthose he serves. At theconclusion of his presentation,everyonewas deSinitely inagreement with these remarks.Dr. Brummel-Smithopened with the observationthat, “It is better to know theperson that has the diseasethan to know the disease theperson has.” This focus onperson-centered medical carewas a logical follow-up to theafternoon Life College Class.

He went on to state hisphilosophy that the key toquality of care and quality oflife was function, which is atthe intersection of thedisciplines of biology, psychol-ogy and sociology (body, mindand spirit). In his practice ofgeriatric medicine, Dr.Brummel-Smith views threemodels as key:1. Focus on Function –We need to consider alloptions rather than alwaysturning to medication andneed to focus on functionrather than disease. Hepointed out that exercise wasequally as effective in treatingmajor depression as drugs,and there are no side effects.Doctors need to treat themind and human spirit aswell as the physical body.2. Primary Care – Viewthe individual as the primarycare provider and the doctoras a secondary provider and

consultant. The doctor’s roleshould be to train the patientin self-management and thenassist them as needed.3. Personhood – It iscritical to pay attention topersonhood regardless of thehealth status. A decline inphysical health does not meana decline inmental health andvice versa. A wanderer withAlzheimer’s disease still needsphysical exercise and isgenerally in no danger ifwalking with a friend, neighboror staff person.Dr. Brummel-Smith con-cluded his remarks by stating,“We are moving toward whatsome call ‘slow medicine,’which focuses not on what wedo but what we should do asdoctors – and the answer is torespect the patient’s wishes.”Following his prepared re-marks, he answered questionsand visited at length with theMembers present.

Second Tuesday Surprise

8 OctoberSoaring

Soaring is a publication of the Members of Westcott Lakes at SouthWood,3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180, Tallahassee, FL 32311.To submit questions or articles, please email ambrosius@praxeis.com. © PRAXEIS, 2008

November Calendar of EventsFriday, November 7thOpen House/Clemson vs. Florida State Pre-GameDay Party (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)A pre-game day tailgate party for FoundersClub Members and prospects. The event willbe held at the Welcome Center and Model.Tuesday, November 11thLife College Series (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)Class will feature a discussion on Financial andEstate Planning at the Westcott Lakes WelcomeCenter and Model.Tuesday, November 11thSecond Tuesdays Event (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)A Veterans Day Celebration. This is a casualopportunity for members to bring newprospects to the Welcome Center to mingleand meet other members and guests. Guestspeaker will be Joan Denman from the FSUDepartment of History speaking onWorld War II.Wednesday, November 12thLunch and Learn(11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)The information session for prospectivemembers will be held at the GoodwoodMuseum and Gardens Carriage House.Friday, November 14thMoore/O’Connell Luncheon(11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)Founders Club Members Peggy Moore andRita O’Connell will be hosting a luncheon inApalachicola at the Owl Café for localprospects. A special presentation by WestcottLakes Life Plan Consultants will be given.Tuesday, November 18thFSU Alumni Association and JacksonvilleSeminole Club Luncheon at Epping Forest YachtClub in Jacksonville, FL (11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)An event honoring FSU Emeriti living in theJacksonville area. The luncheon will feature a

“Panel of Experts” that includes Dr. ChrisMulrooney, Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith andDr. Marie Cowart speaking on the GreenHouse® Concept.Wednesday, November 19thFSU Alumni Association and Brevard SeminoleClub Luncheon at Kiwi Tennis Club in IndianHarbor Beach, FL (11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)A luncheon will be held in Brevard County forFSU Emeriti living in the area. Westcott Lakeswill be sponsoring (in part) a luncheon whichwill feature a “Panel of Experts” with Dr. KenBrummel-Smith, Dr. Marie Cowart and Mr. DickAmbrosius speaking on Brainercisesm.

Piano Anyone?If you have a piano or organ nolonger in use and are willing to donateit, we would love to hear from you.We have talented members willing toshare their talent at social gatheringsif we have a piano or organ. Your do-nation would be tax deductible. If youcan be of assistance, please contactEllen Davis at the Welcome Center at(850) 701-2941 or emailedavis@westcottlakes.org.