Why Walkability is Important When Choosing a Senior Living Location

Aug 1, 2023 | Community, Planning for Retirement

If you’re thinking about relocating to a Life Plan Community, here are five top considerations:

Cost of living
Accessibility & walkability
Access to care
Lifestyle
Support system

Pedestrian-Friendly Communities

“Walkability” relates to a community’s safe, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure such as footpaths or trails, sidewalks, and other rights-of-way for those on foot. In their most recent rankings, Walk Score rated the walkability of 141 U.S. cities with a population of 200,000 or greater. The cities listed below hit the top of the list, showcasing Lititz’s walkability far surpassing any city with its score designated as a “Walker’s Paradise!”

Walk Scores by Top Cities

91 Lititz, PA (click here to view the Walker’s Paradise listing)

89        San Francisco,CA
88 New York, NY
83        Boston, MA
77        Chicago, IL
77 Washington, D.C.
77 Miami, FL
75        Oakland, CA
75        Philadelphia, PA
74        Seattle, WA
73        Long Beach, CA

You can search the Walk Score database to check out the walkability of any community by address.

The Many Advantages of Walkability

More and more older adults want to live in a setting, like Moravian Manor Communities, that is walkable. There are a number of compelling reasons that makes our two campuses attractive options for Boomers and beyond.

Environmental benefits

Increasingly, people are becoming concerned about the impact their habits have on the Earth. The next generation of retirees will create an increased demand for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified retirement communities, which focus on energy, space, and water efficiency, as well as reducing waste and using environmentally friendly building materials.

Choosing a walkable community is another environmentally conscious choice many older adults are making when it comes to their senior living location. Since a large majority of CO₂ emissions are from burning fossil fuels, fewer cars on the road means less pollution, as well as less traffic. Walking is a zero-pollution means of transportation!

Financial benefits

Walkability can be a big cost-savings for your monthly budget. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for many Americans, their vehicles are their household’s second largest expense (behind their rent/mortgage payment). For many residents living at Moravian Manor Communities, living in this walkable community has made it feasible to get rid of at least one vehicle (for two-car homes), thus eliminating a huge monthly expense.

Health benefits

Being overweight and its related health issues are among the most serious public health challenges faced by our society today. Choosing a walkable community can help fend off a sedentary lifestyle and the weight issues that often go hand-in-hand. In fact, research has found that residents of walkable communities weigh an average of 8 pounds less than people who live in less walkable areas.

Learn More about Our Walkable Community

Interested in learning more about the “walkability” of our community and all it has to offer? Contact our sales & marketing team at 717-626-0214.

Yohannes Tegegne, Excellence in Customer Care

Jul 19, 2023 | Excellence in Care

Yohannes Tegegne, Maintenance

“Yohannes works second shift on our maintenance team, which is a difficult shift as there is not much backup support. Yohannes is always cheerful and willing to “dive in” to whatever needs to be done. He even helped me push my Jeep so I could “kick start it” when the starter failed! He has assisted in transporting residents between two campuses and following up on numerous types of calls during his shift. He is positive, energetic, and I am proud that he is part of our team!”

~ David Swartley, CEO & President

Thank you, Yohannes, we are grateful for all that you do for Moravian Manor Communities and your dedication to Excellence in Customer Care! We appreciate you!

About the Excellence in Customer Care Recognition Program:
Moravian Manor Communities takes pride in maintaining a strong set of standards and ethics, delivering superior services that make a difference in the daily lives of residents. Through the Excellence in Customer Care recognition program, MMC’s leadership and management team nominate and acknowledge the contributions made by team members who rise to challenges and go above and beyond the call of duty.

Deb Musser … Remaining Grateful During Difficult Times

Jul 6, 2023 | Community

A native of Lancaster County, Deb Musser grew up in Neffsville, attended Manheim Township High School, and later moved to Lititz. She’s proud of her many years working at Wilbur Chocolate Factory, but her greatest accomplishment is raising her two children and having four wonderful grandchildren.

When Deb shares about her life, gratitude is a common theme. Although she is very open about her challenging and difficult journey with Multiple Sclerosis, she does her best to focus on the positive things in her life. Deb married Philip “Flip” Musser, a coworker of hers at Wilbur, in 1992. As much as she loved working at Wilbur, she quit her job in 2010 due to health challenges. Deb and Flip spent the next seven years relaxing, traveling and enjoying hobbies together as much as they could, which was a huge blessing for Deb. The couple celebrated 25 years of marriage before she moved to the Health Center at Moravian Manor Communities in November 2017.

Deb loves reminiscing about her adventures with Flip … traveling to Algonquin, Canada and camping out under the stars; taking motorcycle trips; spending time each winter in Sarasota, FL with her parents; and traveling to various ski resorts with her husband’s family where the men enjoyed the slopes while she enjoyed sightseeing and shopping with Flip’s mother and sister. She and Flip also held season tickets for the Philadelphia Eagles, and they loved their Sunday travels to attend the games.

The couple also traveled to Kenya together after Flip did several years of missions/service work in the village of Musese. An unexpected connection brought it all to pass when their pastor at Lititz United Methodist church met Eric Wanga, a native of Kenya, through a church event. The pastor told Eric he always wanted to visit Kenya, so he and Eric arranged a trip and invited Flip to join them. Because it’s truly a small world, Deb and Flip soon realized that they had a previous connection with Eric, who had also worked at Wilbur, but in Mt. Joy. Flip absolutely loved that first trip and continued to return for several years. In 2016, Deb was able to join Flip and the couple saw Kenya together. After the service portion of the trip, they remained an extra week to enjoy a wonderful safari.

When Deb moved to MMC, she was happily surprised to learn that Jill Wanga, an activities’ staff member, is Eric Wanga’s sister-in-law! This connection, coupled with their shared experience of having traveled to the same tiny village across the ocean, has created a special bond between them.

At MMC, Deb enjoys spending time in the sun room putting together puzzles, occasionally working on her loom to make hats and scarves, sitting outside on the balcony while reading a good book, and attending favorite activities such as Bingo, Red Hat Society, and Prayer and Share group. She holds her memories close and does her best to remain grateful and laugh often. “Do things while you can,” Deb says. “Turn a difficult circumstance into something positive.”

Racheal Precise, Excellence in Customer Care

Jun 22, 2023 | Excellence in Care

Racheal Precise, CNA (Nursing)

“Racheal’s passionate and caring attitude shines through in all that she does,” shared Lori Mateyak, RN, Director of Nursing. “The residents on Health Center North request her by name and family members frequently comment about the quality of care she provides. Staying true to one of MMC’s core values, PEOPLE FIRST, Racheal is known to pick up extra shifts so her co-workers do not have to work short-staffed and goes above and beyond when providing resident care. She is an asset to MMC and truly appreciated.”

Thank you, Racheal, we are grateful for all that you do for Moravian Manor Communities and your dedication to Excellence in Customer Care! We appreciate you!

About the Excellence in Customer Care Recognition Program:
Moravian Manor Communities takes pride in maintaining a strong set of standards and ethics, delivering superior services that make a difference in the daily lives of residents. Through the Excellence in Customer Care recognition program, MMC’s leadership and management team nominate and acknowledge the contributions made by team members who rise to challenges and go above and beyond the call of duty.

Meet Al and Amy Freeman

Jun 8, 2023 | Meet the Neighbors

Styling the Happiest Place on Earth

After starting off in Pennsylvania and then spending 43 years in Florida, Al and Amy Freeman moved back to a home on MMC’s Founders Campus in October 2021, just in time to re-experience a Pennsylvania winter. Ironically, it was a Pennsylvania winter storm that motivated them to move to Florida in the first place, but the story in between the two storms is truly “magical.”

Once upon a time, Al was on duty as a police officer with the Dallastown force in York Township, PA. During a blustery snow storm, wreaking havoc with an unexpected intensity, a call came in regarding an automobile accident. Since Al’s specialty was accident investigation, he responded to the scene. However, the high winds and drifting snow created a barricade that prevented Al from exiting his car. When he finally got home that evening, he announced they were moving to Florida!

Fully intending to join the Sherriff’s Office in Orange County, Florida, a 90-day hiring freeze derailed his plans. Looking for something temporary, Al accepted a job in a factory manufacturing furniture for the Orlando Disney World theme park. Little did he know, that temporary position would turn into a 24-year career spanning from this manufacturing plant to overseeing the Interiors Division for the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot Center. Al’s responsibilities included interiors and lighting for Disney’s show properties, outdoor properties, restaurants, pre-show areas, post-show areas and, of course, Christmas decorations, all of which help style Disney as the Happiest Place on Earth.

During his tenure, Al had an opportunity to attend Disney University, where he was instructed on the “Disney Way of Leadership.” Creating what’s known as the Happiest Place on Earth is a fine balance of values, along with a lot of hard work. Everyone participated in training, not just the ride operators or those who have direct contact with guests. Al explained that upon graduation, managers are asked to participate in the “Zoo Crew,” which entailed donning one of the famous Disney character costumes for a half-hour shift in the theme park. “I had the honor of being Goofy, but it wasn’t as easy as you might think. My glasses didn’t fit under the head and there was no talking! When a parent pulled on my tail to ask for a picture, I swung around to oblige and accidentally bumped her head with my big Goofy nose!”

While life takes us down unexpected paths, in Al’s case, what began as a temporary position turned into a very interesting and fulfilling career. In addition to accepting challenges and maintaining a commitment to quality and efficiency, Al had an equal concern for maintaining and caring for the property, the things, and the people. He was the “behind the scenes guy” in charge of capturing the Disney “magic” in the hearts and minds of families everywhere! We’re thankful Al and Amy have made Moravian Manor Communities their home.