June 13, 2023
May was National Older Americans Month. This year's theme from the Administration for Community Living was Aging Unbound – and residents in AHC communities are doing just that!
AHC's award-winning Resident Services division offers many services for older adults where they live. Whether in Virginia or Maryland, senior residents are finding ways to connect and take advantage of a variety of programming in their communities.
"AHC's programming for older adults living in our senior communities is largely focused on community building and engagement and providing social activities to help decrease isolation and improve overall health and well-being," says Stefanie Bass, AHC assistant director of Resident Services in Virginia. "In addition to skill-building and learning opportunities, we provide more tangible support programs like onsite food distribution and connection to financial assistance if needed for utility bills and medical bills – to help residents maintain stable housing."
Cindy Rozon, assistant director of Resident Services for Maryland, explains, "The variety of programs available for seniors in our communities improves their ability to age in place and makes our communities great places to live." Rozon adds, "onsite, virtual, and off-site opportunities reduce access barriers so all can benefit. We meet regularly with residents to ensure our programs meet their needs and interests, including those wanting to lead programs!"
Check out five ways AHC's older adult residents are Aging Unbound. Joining Workshops
AHC Inc. hosts many workshops to help seniors develop different skill sets. The workshops cover a range of topics, such as how to use your smartphone, grief support, health and nutrition, financial literacy, scams & fraud, and more. Partying at Holiday & Birthday Celebrations
Senior residents in Virginia can join in monthly birthday parties to celebrate all residents whose birthday falls within the respective month. In Maryland, these parties are held quarterly. There's usually a full catered meal, dessert, refreshments, live music performed by the residents, and, most importantly, fellowship. Residents also celebrate significant holidays throughout the year.
Taking Care of Health & Wellness
Health and Wellness is one of AHC's four programmatic cornerstones. Our communities provide activities, including exercise classes, arts and crafts, nutrition and wellness programs, heating/cooling assistance programs, nurse practitioners, and occupational and physical therapists.
Our communities also offer COVID vaccination and flu clinics to bring senior residents many of the resources they need to stay healthy. Residents can also attend benefits counseling sessions to understand Medicare/Medicaid better.
Staying Active
Staying active is essential to everyone, but most importantly to our residents in senior communities. Outside their community's onsite gyms, residents are also offered recreational trips, shuttles to grocery stores and shopping, karaoke, exercise classes, arts and crafts, Bingo nights, and more.
Taking Advantage of Food Distribution
AHC gives groceries and food boxes to residents in our various apartment communities. Older residents can access coffee and tea days, food from Arlington Food Assistance Center, Capital Food Bank, MANNA food distributions, pop-up farmer's markets, and more.
Did You Know?
In addition to the many seniors living in AHC communities regionwide, we operate three senior-only communities:
MonteVerde in Baltimore
Charter House in Silver Spring
Hunter’s Park in Arlington
About AHC Inc.
AHC Inc., a nonprofit developer based in Arlington, VA, builds and preserves affordable and mixed-income housing in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Since 1975, AHC has developed more than 8,200 apartments in the mid-Atlantic region, including 3,400 in Arlington. AHC's Resident Services program reaches thousands of children, teens, adults, and seniors each year through onsite education and social service programs and activities.
Media Contact: Jennifer K. Smith, Director of Communications, jennifer.smith@ahcinc.org/ 703-486‑0626 x1118