Author: Bailey Wallingford

The Hemsworth Wellness Center Welcomes the Community Once Again

Located on the Maple Knoll Village campus, the Hemsworth Wellness Center has been a beloved wellness facility to residents for many years. Prior to the pandemic, the Hemsworth Wellness Center also served the Tri-County area including seniors residing in the Glendale, Wyoming, Forest Park, Springdale, Princeton, Sharonville, and Fairfield neighborhoods.

We are excited to announce that beginning today, March 1, the Wellness Center will once again be open to our friends in the surrounding neighborhoods with the return of the Silver Sneaker program!

The staff at the Hemsworth Wellness Center are dedicated to the overall health and well-being of all members. A whole-person approach is emphasized to personal health by encouraging members to develop, improve, and balance their entire well-being.

The Hemsworth Wellness Center is located at 11100 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45246. To learn more about class schedules, please visit our webpage or call us at 513-782-4340.

The Health Benefits of Swimming

Staying healthy and active can become more difficult as muscle and joint pain set in and range of motion becomes limited with age. Alternative exercises such as swimming are much safer and easier on the body. Swimming is an ideal workout for older adults, mainly because it presents little risk of injury and is low impact. Here are 3 health benefits of swimming for older adults:

Tones muscles while staying gentle on the joints. Every movement in the water engages multiple muscle groups at the same time. Aquatic exercises are a great form of resistance training that help tone muscles without the stress on joints typical full body workouts can present. Because swimming is not weight-bearing, it’s easy on the joints for those who suffer from joint pain or discomfort.

Increases flexibility. While stretching before and after exercising is a sure way to increase flexibility, the act of swimming itself can also help increase flexibility in your hips, legs, arms, and neck. Swimming lengthens the muscles in a way that can make your joints more flexible and help muscle recovery.

Improves mental health. Swimming is a great way to reduce stress levels and boost your mood. Swimming can be a relaxing, individual activity but it can also be a fun, active, and social activity. Water Volleyball is a favorite exercise of Maple Knoll residents that allows them to have fun and socialize while also working out.

Our extensive warm water aquatics program at the Maple Knoll Village Hemsworth Wellness Center is perfect setting for aquatic exercises.

Our dedicated staff provide personally guided warm water exercises that give residents the option of swimming or walking laps, floating or exercising on their own, or even participating in a guided class. The various classes within the program help residents improve range of motion, muscular strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning and endurance.

For more information on our state-of-the-art Wellness Center and pool, please call 513-782-2717.

The Importance of Involvement

Social involvement is important at any age, especially for older adults. Having an active role in the community adds purpose and meaning to their lives while also providing opportunities to build lasting friendships. Residents of Maple Knoll Village are encouraged to be as involved in the Maple Knoll community as they desire. Three of the biggest ways residents can be involved on campus include resident committees, social and recreational programming, and volunteer opportunities.

Resident Committees
At Maple Knoll Village, we believe that the best way to improve community life for our residents is by listening to the residents themselves. Maple Knoll residents have the opportunity to be involved in the Resident’s Council. This council is overseen by Erin Navaro, our Residential Services Manager, and is comprised of various committees focused on dining, safety, technology, hospitality, and activities as well as a representative from each neighborhood. Residents work with staff in these committees to provide suggestions and ideas to enhance campus life. These suggestions are reviewed at Resident Council and then passed onto administration.

Social and Recreational Programming
The amenities at Maple Knoll Village allow residents the freedom to be as active as they wish. Our 54-acre campus features a certified arboretum, walking paths, and gardens providing an outdoor sanctuary. Inside our main building you will find Main Street which is lined with the Bistro on the Green, the ServUS Technology Lab, Mane Street Salon, our 24-hour Marketplace, chapel, weaving room, and multiple spaces for resident gatherings. On campus you will also find a state of the art Wellness Center with a warm water pool and sauna, the Woodshop, shuffleboards, ping pong tables, and Cheers pub.

Each level of care at Maple Knoll Village has trained Activity staff dedicated to ensuring our residents live their lives to fullest. This can be seen through various planned social, cultural, and educational programs. Local entertainment from the community and area colleges are frequently brought in for residents to enjoy as well.

One of the most popular activities offered is the weekly “Wine ‘n Words” happy hour. Independent living residents come together to enjoy food and drinks, socialize, and even meet new people. Residents also have frequent opportunities to enjoy life outside of Maple Knoll Village by visiting the Cincinnati Zoo, attending Reds games, or enjoying a morning at the Symphony.

Volunteer Opportunities
Maple Knoll Village provides both residents and the outside community with many volunteer opportunities. Residents can volunteer on campus several ways including: assisting at the front desk, bartending for various social events and weekly happy hours, crafting projects for the community in the Woodshop, working in the Re-Run shop, or doing compassionate care visits in our Bodmann Skilled Nursing Pavilion.

Residents of Maple Knoll Village enjoy volunteering in the Montessori Child Center on campus which provides mutually beneficial intergenerational relationships between the seniors and children.

To learn more about socialization opportunities offered, check out our social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram @mapleknollvillage for an inside look at life at Maple Knoll Village or give us a call at 513-909-7935.

An Award Winning Community

With so many misconceptions surrounding senior living communities and older adults, many people view senior living communities in a negative light and look at older adults as having mundane, inactive lifestyles. The active, bright, and out-of-the box media presence of Maple Knoll Communities’ programs and services has helped to dispel these misconceptions regarding seniors through numerous national accolades this year.

Below is an exhaustive list of all awards won July 2021 – June 2022

Apex Awards
MKV Facebook & Instagram – Award for Public Excellence – Social Media Sites

Telly Awards
Happily Ever After commercial – Bronze Winner – Non-Profit
Life is Better with a Little Craziness commercial – Bronze Winner – Non-Profit
Life is Better with a Little Craziness commercial – Bronze Winner – Local TV
TKO I Still Got It commercial – Bronze Winner – Non-Profit

Davey Awards
Never a Dull Moment commercial – Gold Winner – Best Use of Humor
Never a Dull Moment commercial – Gold Winner – General Non-Profit
Never a Dull Moment commercial – Silver Winner – Best Videography

DotCOMM Awards
Virtual Reality commercial – Platinum Winner – Non-Profit
Happily Ever After commercial – Platinum Winner – Non-Profit
Iconic Movie Posters Remade – Gold Winner – Facebook
Iconic Album Covers Remade – Gold Winner – Instagram
14 Days of Valentines – Gold Winner – Instagram
TKO Uncorked and Livin’ It Up – Platinum Winner – Retirement Community Commercial
TKO Uncorked and Livin’ It Up – Platinum Winner – Non-Profit

Ava Digital Awards
Levels of Care booklet – Gold Winner – Content Marketing E-book

Marcom Awards
The Retirement Resource – Gold Winner – Print Media/External Newsletter

McKnights Tech Awards
Telehealth – Bronze Winner – Quality category for technology

Communicator Awards
Do Blondes Have More Fun? – Award of Distinction – Print Advertising
Kickoff Your Retirement Living – Award of Distinction – Newspaper Ad

W3 Awards
Virtual Reality commercial – Silver Award – Non-Profit
Virtual Reality commercial – Silver Award – Best use of visual effects/motion graphics

Viddy Awards
This is Where I’m Supposed to Be commercial – Gold Winner – Retirement Community commercial
Happily Ever After commercial – Gold Winner – Retirement Community commercial
Virtual Reality commercial – Platinum Winner – Retirement Community commercial
TKO I Still Got It commercial – Platinum Winner – Retirement Community commercial

Cincinnati’s Best of the Best 2021
Best Senior Rehab Center
Best Senior Living
Best Senior Care Facility
The Maple Knoll Montessori Child Center – Best Preschool

2021 Greater Cincinnati Non-Profit of the Year Awards
Best Assisted Living Facility

MKV Resident Inducted into the Senior Citizen Hall of Fame

For some older adults, retirement might mean taking it easy, traveling the world, and relaxing. But for Maple Knoll Village resident, John Anderson, slowing down was never a part of the plan.

John has always had a passion for helping others that began long before he retired. During his time working at Procter and Gamble, John participated in the creation of P&Gs technology help center which continues to flourish today. After many well spent years at P&G, John decided to kick off his retirement by immediately starting to work again, only this time, he wasn’t getting paid.

He became a “friendly visitor” volunteer for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and has remained in this role for over 20 years. He has also spent a lot of time teaching illiterate adults to read through the Laubach Literacy program, assisted visually impaired older adults through local senior services, as well as volunteers with local Boy Scout troops.

In 2010, he made the move to Maple Knoll Village in order to receive extra care for his wife that had been diagnosed with Alzheimer ’s disease. As an individual who has spent a significant amount of time caring for his spouse, he has become a valuable and trusted resource among his peers in the community. He allows the nursing staff at Maple Knoll Village to share his contact information with others struggling to care for their spouse as he has been through it himself and can provide a unique perspective and support.

Additionally he serves as an intergenerational mentor with engineering and nursing students of the University of Cincinnati. He also regularly volunteers at the Maple Knoll Montessori Child Center by reading books to the students and spending time with them.

Recently, John was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame to celebrate the many ways he continues to impact his community. This induction honors Ohioans that are over the age of 60 and go above and beyond to make their community, state, and nation stronger.

There is no one in the Cincinnati area more deserving of this award than John Anderson and we are so honored to have him be a part of our Maple Knoll Village community.

Award Winning Breese Manor Continues it’s Winning Streak

Having three meals a day prepared for you, resort-style amenities at your fingertips, and continuous recreational programming provided might sound like a dream vacation. But for the residents living at Breese Manor Assisted Living, this is just their daily life!

The goal of the staff at Breese Manor is to help their residents relax and enjoy themselves as much as possible. Assisted living care is often provided to older adults who want to maintain their independence, but need assistance with activities of daily living. Personal care assistants and licensed practical nurses conduct regular safety and wellness checks and each resident has access to an emergency call system providing them with confidence they need to live life to the fullest.

At Breese Manor, located at Maple Knoll Village, we believe that your golden years are your best years. And with all of their medical needs taken care of, it’s no wonder Breese Manor residents are busy being active and social. You will often find residents of Breese Manor skydiving or traveling to Venice via their Virtual Reality headsets, enjoying a glass of champagne while they receive a manicure, or trying out a new hobby like gardening or painting.

Breese Manor recently expanded services to residents with the addition of memory support services. The Memory Support Wing is specially designed for those with assisted living needs and memory impairments, such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Residents enjoy a setting that is as secure as it is comfortable featuring a dedicated entrance, nurses onsite 24/7 and individualized activities based on cognitive abilities. Our advanced monitoring systems allow the freedom to move about our common areas freely, while help is always just a moment away.

As a leading nonprofit assisted living community, Breese Manor is proud to be named as the Number 1 Assisted Living Facility in the Greater Cincinnati Non-Profit of the Year awards for the third year in a row!

Maple Knoll Village Launches Live Cooking Demonstrations

With the recent addition of our 24-Hour Marketplace on Main, Maple Knoll Village now has the space available to host cooking demonstrations for residents. Chris Jenkins, Morrison Living’s Assistant Director of Food Service, recently launched a new program for residents called Cooking with Chris.

In this new program, residents are able to attend a live cooking demonstration in which Chris will prepare and cook various recipes in the Marketplace. Each participant receives a copy of the recipes being prepared and can ask questions throughout the presentation. The best part? Residents get to enjoy all of the yummy food prepared after the demonstration!

View the August Cooking with Chris recipes here!

Maple Knoll Village Focuses on Going Green

a lightbulb and a plant showing maple knoll village focusing on going green

Maple Knoll Village, a continuing care retirement community located in Cincinnati, knows the importance of going green and intertwines green living in everyday actions and plans. Maple Knoll’s journey towards becoming a greener and more sustainable community started from the top with a commitment from Administration. In December of 2020, Maple Knoll’s newest construction, a senior residential neighborhood, was named a Leader in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes awardee with Platinum status, the highest LEED level of certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

This status was achieved in partnership with HCG Construction, Luminat, and Sol Design & Consulting. There is a lack of green homes in the market and we wanted to be one of the first to create a retirement living option with a priority placed on reducing our carbon footprint from the beginning of construction. Key design features of these LEED Platinum certified homes include: storm water capture and water efficient irrigation systems, energy star roof shingles and appliances, high efficiency gas furnaces, tank less gas water heaters, high performance E windows and doors, LED lighting fixtures, air tight building envelope with performance testing and continuous insulation, use of recycled and locally sourced building materials and roughed-in electric in each garage for optional electric car charger stations.

Following the lead of Maple Knoll management, an Arboretum Committee at Maple Knoll Village was created when a group of residents saw the beauty of our 54-acre campus filled with many species of trees and lush greenery and wanted to create an enhanced awareness of trees and plant life for everyone on our campus. To ensure that people can enjoy and utilize the benefits trees provide, the arboretum committees’ priorities are to protect existing trees, increase the selection and diversity of species, and improve planning, standards, and care for trees.

The Arboretum at Maple Knoll Village was founded recognizing the value and importance of this natural environment for residents’ health and wellbeing. Becoming a more sustainable community has always been a high priority for Maple Knoll Village as they are continuously planning for the future. Since the founding of the Maple Knoll Village Arboretum, there has been an increased interest campus wide on improving Maple Knoll Village’s efforts to go green. This motivated residents to launch a new sustainability committee.

While the committee is still very new, residents have already been hard at work brainstorming innovative ways our campus can reduce our carbon footprint and teach residents how they can live more sustainable lives. Resident efforts include the recent creation of a shared vegetable and herb garden planted and maintained by the MKV Community Garden Club. All produce that is grown from this garden is available to residents providing a fun and social way for residents to get involved in gardening. Committee members are devoted to educating their neighbors on how their use of electricity, water, and gas affects the environment and utilities at Maple Knoll in monthly resident newsletters and publications.

The Sustainability Committee also recently worked with local St. Xavier High School students this past year to conduct a carbon footprint study of Maple Knoll. Committee members attend the St. Xavier High School engineering student presentations. The committee was thoroughly impressed with how informed and educated the high school students were in their study and recommendations and plan to implement many of their ideas in addition to continuing this partnership well into the future. Involving the community in sustainability efforts is very important in planning for the Architectural Design Professor from the University of Cincinnati DAAP School to present on the concept of green roofs to the Sustainability Committee is already underway. Future goals of the committee include securing funding from resident and public gifts as well as environmental grants, identifying clear short term and long term goals, and research electronic alternatives for the Maple Knoll Village company fleet vehicles.

Maple Knoll Village continues to evaluate our efforts towards creating a more sustainable community and has committed to ensuring that all future construction additions will highlight green efforts. For additional information on ways Maple Knoll Village is going green please call 513-782-2423.

What Community Means for Seniors

Staying social has mental, emotional and physical benefits for older adults.

Throughout our lives, we crave a sense of belonging. Studies have found that as people get older, their social capital, or connection to others, has even greater value for successful aging.

According to the National Council on Aging, social isolation can negatively impact mental performance, compromise the immune system, and increase the risk of certain diseases and depression. Research suggests that the health risks of extended periods of isolation are the equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Older adults with a healthy social network are more active, feel more independent and enjoy more fulfilling lives. Located in the Cincinnati tristate area is Maple Knoll Village, a continuing care retirement community that provides an environment for independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing where residents feel connected and engaged.

Here are some of the top ways being a part of an active community can provide a sense of belonging and keep life lively for older adults.

1. Socializing during happy hour

Residents at Maple Knoll Village regularly mix and mingle for social events, whether it is getting out to visit a local winery, clinking steins at Oktoberfest or celebrating a birthday. If you are curious what everyday life is like in this vibrant community, the Wine Down event on November 16 at 4 p.m. invites prospective residents to take a tour, sip fine wines and enjoy a relaxed meet-and-greet with Maple Knoll Village residents and staff in their newly renovated auditorium.

2. Connecting with friends over food

Sharing meals is another way that people can gather to socialize. This October, Maple Knoll Village unveiled its newly-renovated dining spaces. The vision was to provide fresh and engaging places for residents and their guests to get together and eat delicious food. The new Bistro on the Green offers expanded seating and an updated menu, including crispy pies from the pizza oven. The Market on Main is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering grab-n-go convenience. It is the perfect pairing of good food and good company.

3. Inspiring each other to be creative

Along with a service window to assist with events in the auditorium, the new Market on Main has a fully equipped teaching kitchen for residents to put their aprons on and try their hand at new recipes. It is only one of the many ways Maple Knoll Village inspires creativity, lifelong learning and togetherness. Another activity that residents enjoy is the monthly Art for Everyone sessions run by local Cincinnati artist Jennifer Hall. Participants have done everything from making tile mosaics to creating irreverent blackout poetry.

4. Exercising with friends and fitness specialists

Group activities have mental, emotional and physical benefits, especially when working out and staying active. At the Hemsworth Wellness Center at Maple Knoll Village, older adults can train one-on-one with a fitness specialist to build strength and boost their ability to perform everyday activities. Residents also have the option to join group classes such as tai chi, slow flow, yoga, and aqua aerobics in the 60-foot heated pool.

5. Sharing stories

Throughout the different neighborhoods of Maple Knoll Village, all residents enjoy a worry-free lifestyle in spacious apartments and villas. They can be active, healthy and independent, while having access to special events and activities with others. It is truly a unique place to call home and even has a member-supported public radio station, WMKV 89.3FM, that serves the greater Cincinnati area. Broadcasting locally and streaming worldwide, WMKV celebrates the Golden Age of Radio with entertaining live hosts, podcasts and other events.

For older adults, having a sense of community can significantly improve quality of life. There is peace of mind in knowing you are not alone and can continue to do the things you love while meeting new people. Couples and individuals alike choose to make the Maple Knoll Village community their forever home.

Breese Manor Becomes Pet Friendly!

Maple Knoll Village is proud to announce that Breese Manor Assisted Living apartments are now pet friendly providing the perfect living space for you and your furry friend!

Owners and their pets may reside in Breese Manor Assisted Living at Maple Knoll Village on a case by case basis. Changes to the policy can be made at the discretion of Maple Knoll Village administration. Exceptions will be made as necessary. Wild or exotic animals, ferrets, or the like are not permitted. Pets must be housebroken. New pets may not be acquired after establishing residency at Maple Knoll without written administrative approval.

All pets shall be in good health and have a preventive health plan established by a veterinarian which complies with the recommendations of the ASPCA. The health plan shall include an annual physical examination, rabies vaccination as required, parasite control and other medical testing appropriate for the species. Residents must provide vaccination records at time of move in.

The resident is solely responsible for the care of the pet. When a pet owner is away from the apartment overnight, arrangements must be made to board the pet away from the facility. It is recommended that the resident establish an agreement with another party to remove the pet should the resident experience a health emergency. If necessary, administration will place the pet in a boarding facility at the resident’s expense until other arrangements can be made.

513.782.2717