Birthday Celebration at Meadowood

Birthday milestones in the lives of nearly one quarter of Meadowood’s four hundred residents were celebrated on Sunday, October 26, 2008 when family and friends joined in wishing them a Happy Birthday. Meadowood is a continuing care retirement community located in Worcester Pennsylvania. Its residents who vary in age from 62 to 110 are independent fully employed seniors and older seniors requiring some assisted living services or nursing care.   Sunday’s celebration was precipitated by the birthday celebration of Mary Higley, who turned 110, Ruth Heyser and Florence Sayre who turned 100 in 2008.  Meadowood extended the celebration to include nearly 100 ninety year olds who live there. 

We are amazed at the number of people over 90 who live here noted Paul Nordeman, Meadowood Executive Director. Most of these folks were born at the beginning of the 20^th century when the average life expectancy was 47.  Many moved into Meadowood 20 years ago when it first opened.   They were business entrepreneurs, community leaders, and involved parents whose actions have created the world that effects us all today. This strength of character continues even in their senior years as an example of resiliency and inspiration.    We take great pride in our older residents, and recognize their impact on the world today. 

The celebration was a way to integrate this wonderful generation with the larger Meadowood Community.   According to Nordemen, new programs to help our older seniors into social situations have been created at Meadowood.    These older seniors have lived through the deaths of many close friends, relatives and in some cases their own children. Each trauma can push them into isolation socially segregating them from the rest of the population.