Retirement communities vary widely, from apartment buildings with a few services to assisted living facilities that provide round-the-clock help. To find out what it’s actually like to live in different types of communities, we asked several seniors about their experience.

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Mather LifeWay’s president and CEO Mary Leary recently celebrated 10 years with the organization, during which time she has taken it from “one of the industry’s best kept secrets” to an innovative global resource for wellness and aging well, according to her peers.

She’s done so, they say, under a leadership style characterized by creativity, tenacity, level-headedness and fairness.

“Mary is in a category of leadership that is pretty rare: that is, visionary and transformational,” says Larry Minnix, President and CEO of LeadingAge. “She has transformed a well-established organization into a modern and dynamic force for improving the aging experience for subsequent generations of seniors. She is in a league of her own.”

Evanston, Ill.-based Mather LifeWays has four senior care locations in Arizona and Illinois—including two continuing care retirement communities—along with its other aging-related ventures.

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An extensive green roof covers part of The Mather’s south building. This roof, which requires minimal care, consists of indigenous species of mostly sedum plants and native grasses. It is among the sustainable features contributing to the building’s recent LEED Gold certification.

The Mather, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Evanston, Illinois, has been awarded a LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] Gold rating by the US Green Building Council for its second phase of construction. It is the only CCRC in the United States to have achieved this designation, according to Evanston-based Mather LifeWays, which provides “programs, places and residences” for older adults.

The Mather development was designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and built by Power Construction, both of Chicago. The development includes two buildings on one campus, the first of which opened in 2009. At 204,000 sq. ft., the residence is the largest newly constructed building in Evanston to achieve LEED Gold recognition, with site-specific elements that include:

• native and adaptive landscaping to reduce irrigation needs
• rain water for irrigation
• reflective roofing materials and a green roof to help reduce the urban “heat island” effect
• low-flow fixtures to reduce potable water consumption
• energy-efficient lighting
• self-powered exercise equipment to reduce electrical consumption in the fitness room and spa
• low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) for adhesives, sealants, painting, and coatings

“Sustainability was among our many goals for The Mather,” says Mary Leary, president and CEO of Mather LifeWays. “Achieving a LEED Gold rating means we’ve accomplished that and more—not only for The Mather residents, but also for the environment.”

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The Journal on Active Aging March/April 2013

Evanston, Ill. (March 18, 2013) –  Mather LifeWays Mather Place of Wilmette and The Mather will host special screenings of Age of Champions, the acclaimed feature documentary about the Senior Olympics, on April 4 and 5, respectively.  There will be a reception following each event with the film’s Managing Director and Producer, Keith Ochwat. The public is invited to attend these free events, but space is limited and guests must RSVP to 847.492.7714.

Mather Place of Wilmette will host a screening on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10 a.m. followed by a lunch reception and Q&A, with Keith Ochwat. Mather Place of Wilmette is located at 2801 Old Glenview Rd, in Wilmette.

The Mather will host a screening on Friday, April 5, 2013 at 2 p.m. also followed by a reception, dessert buffet, and Q&A with Mr. Ochwat, The Mather is located at 425 Davis Street, in Evanston, IL.

Age of Champions is the inspiring story of a group of athletes—a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old pole vaulter, team of basketball grandmothers, and the two swimming brothers— all chasing gold at the National Senior Games. The film captures the triumphant spirit of these competitors as they tackle the challenges of old age with grace, humor, and optimism. Win or lose, they inspire us all to follow our dreams and find purpose at any stage of life.

“We celebrate Ways to Age Well,” says Mather LifeWays President and CEO, Mary Leary. “No matter what you love to do, we encourage you to live your best life — this film exemplifies that ideal.”                        

Age of Champions is the second film by the Documentary Foundation, a Sacramento, California-based non-profit organization dedicated to documentary production, education, and outreach. Their first film, Roughing It: Mongolia, aired nationally on PBS and was featured in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and National Geographic Adventure. The Foundation also administers the Doc School, a documentary filmmaking program for high school students in Northern California.

Mather LifeWays is pleased to present Age of Champions as part of the Documentary Foundation’s outreach campaign, a grassroots screening initiative in partnership with the AARP, National Council on Aging, and National Senior Games Association. The film is also slated for a national PBS broadcast in 2013. Make It Better is a media sponsor of this screening event.

ABOUT MATHER LIFEWAYS

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather LifeWays www.matherlifeways.com is a unique, non-denominational not-for-profit organization founded more than 70 years ago to serve the needs of older adults. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age Well^SM, Mather LifeWays creates programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging is the research and education arm of Mather LifeWays, and serves as a thought leader in the field of aging by designing and conducting national applied research, pilot demonstration projects, and education initiatives.

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CONTACT:

Lori Keenan

Smarthinking PR for Mather LifeWays

Lori@SmarthinkingPR.com

847/902-2905

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Tucson, Az. (March 13, 2013) – On Thursday, March 21^st 9:30 a.m. Santa Fe residents are invited to a breakfast presentation to learn more about Splendido, Tucson’s award-winning, all-inclusive community for those 55 and better.  This informational breakfast will be hosted in the Sunset Room of Eldorado Hotel and Spa, 309 West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe. The public is invited, and there is no cost to attend.

Presenter, Gale Morgan, Vice President Mather LifeWays, will cover such important topics as the all-inclusive lifestyle for one predictable cost, and Sonora: access to assisted living, memory support and long-term care, if ever needed – all on one beautiful campus. Participants are invited to learn more about Splendido’s amenities, including the 10,000-square-foot Saluté Spa & Fitness Center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 24-hour concierge service, multiple restaurants and lounges, 18-hole putting course and cinema. Morgan will also cover topics such as the 90 percent refundable entrance fee, with a guaranteed refund within 120 days, and answer any questions guests may have.

After nearly 17 years as Santa Fe residents, Karen and Jim Evans recently made the move to Splendido and have only good things to say, “Everyone has been so welcoming and there’s so much to do — we could be busy all day long!” said Karen. “We spent seven years looking at between 30 and 40 different places and Splendido was, by far, the best fit for us.” Karen says that while the climate and landscape are different than Santa Fe, she and her husband both enjoy Splendido’s view overlooking the beautiful Catalina Mountains, and Tucson has provided the change in altitude that they sought.

Splendido is a joint venture of Mather LifeWays, a non-denominational, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Evanston, Ill., that creates Ways to Age Well(SM) for older adults, and the Plaza Companies, an Arizona-based leader in senior living communities and health care facilities. To learn more about Splendido, call 520.878-2612 or visit www.splendidotucson.com.

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CONTACT:

Lori Keenan

Smarthinking PR for Splendido

Lori@SmarthinkingPR.com

847/902-2905

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Evanston, Il. (March 8, 2013) – Mather LifeWays, a unique not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating Ways to Age Well for older adults, announced that Brenda Jannuzio Schreiber has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing.  Schreiber joined Mather LifeWays in 2000 and has served in a variety of marketing roles. Today, she leads the marketing team and is responsible for leading marketing efforts that drive business results for the organization while promoting the mission and vision of the company.

“Brenda is an extremely valued member of the Mather LifeWays team and makes significant contributions to Mather LifeWays success,” said Mary Leary, President and CEO.  “She will concentrate on building upon Mather LifeWays strong brand platform across all areas of focus and working with our marketing team.” 

Since joining Mather LifeWays, Schreiber has led award-winning marketing efforts and has received various industry honors including a Gold Award for Best Direct Mail Campaign from the National Association of Home Builders (2012); Gold Award for Best Community Brochure, National Active Retirement Association (2008); and Gold and Innovation Award (highest-level honor) from the National Association of Home Builders (2007).

Schreiber brings an in-depth understanding of the organization and is responsible for the development and implementation of integrated marketing, communications, and branding programs.   This summer, Schreiber and team launched a new, state-of-the-art website which illustrates the ways in which Mather LifeWays creates opportunities for older adults, professionals, caregivers, and employees to Age Well.

Schreiber earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis on public communications and human relations, and a minor in journalism from Western Illinois University. She currently resides in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood with her family.

ABOUT MATHER LIFEWAYS

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather LifeWays www.matherlifeways.com is a unique, non-denominational not-for-profit organization founded more than 70 years ago to serve the needs of older adults. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age Well^SM, Mather LifeWays creates programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging is the research and education arm of Mather LifeWays, and serves as a thought leader in the field of aging by designing and conducting national applied research, pilot demonstration projects, and education initiatives.

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CONTACT:

Lori Keenan
Smarthinking PR for Mather LifeWays
Lori@SmarthinkingPR.com
847/902-2905

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