One of Kendal at Hanover's more unusual decisions has turned out to be a stroke of genius.
When the continuing care retirement community first
opened in July of 1991, the board of directors decided to eschew
standard practice and not hire a social director. The residents, it was
decided, would shape all social, cultural, and intellectual aspects of
the facility.
According to Diana Cox – who is the director of
Resident Healthcare Services at the Hanover, NH, facility – residents
have come to love the empowerment. Presently, over 90 special-interest
organizations exist at Kendal at Hanover with additional ones starting
up all the time, as the populace is encouraged to initiate new groups
around interests not already covered.
“I'm not aware of another facility that allows their
residents to be so active in the decision-making process,” Cox said.
“And as a result, it's made the people here very active, the community
very vibrant. It's all part of what makes Kendal at Hanover so unique.”
The ILDEAD program
But the unique programs don't stop there. Kendal at
Hanover – which currently has 250 independent living units, as well as
close to 40 of the assisted living variety – is also involved
with the popular Institute for Lifelong Education at Darmouth (ILEAD).
This is a non-credit, peer-led, and peer-taught volunteer organization
for adults. ILEAD, sponsored by Dartmouth College, was founded in 1990
by roughly three dozen members of the Hanover community, who were
interested in the concept of learning during retirement.
How it works is simple. Groups of anywhere from six
to 25 people meet regularly during eight-week sessions (six in the
winter) and learn about a particular topic. Prior topics have included
everything from literature and music to science and theatre. The groups
gather for two hours at a time at a designated meeting spot (Kendal at
Hanover is frequently one of the host sites).
Also, each group is entirely conceived and
coordinated by ILEAD members who volunteer as, what the program refers
to, “study group leaders.” Previous teaching experience is not a must.
“It's a terrific program,” Cox said. “One of our
residents recently led a session; he did a component on the Veterans
Administration Healthcare System. Folks from the VA actually came in to
speak. It was really well done and the individual put a lot of effort
into the presentation.”
'A home-like environment'
Besides innovative programs, Kendal features a
number of amenities aimed at making residents' everyday lives more
comfortable and enriching. The complex features a health clinic, a
beauty salon and barbershop, a bank and postal service, and a small
shop for groceries. There's also a guesthouse for those residents with
overnight visitors.
Kendal also features a 7,000-volume library,
exercise and rehabilitation facilities, private dining space for
special occasions, and a swimming pool. And Cox was quick to laud
Kendal's Gathering Room, which is often where many of the community's
more than 90 special-interest organizations hold their activities. On
any given day, the room will host things such as ballroom dancing, a
movie, a music recital, or a lecture.
“The residents stay busy here – there's no doubt
about that,” Cox said. “It's part of what makes our community so
attractive to newcomers.”
Much has changed at Kendal during its near 15 years
of existence: new faces, new buildings, new programs. However, the
community's philosophy has remained untouched.
“Our main goal is give our residents as much of a
home-like living environment as possible,” Cox said. “And I feel we
have definitely succeeded in achieving that.”
For more information on Kendal at Hanover, visit http://kah.kendal.org.
